Senior Energy Policy and Regulatory Expert (I&E) at the African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title:  Senior Energy Policy and Regulatory Expert (I&E)

Req Id: 2725
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Head of Energy Division
Directorate/Department/Organ: Infrastructure and Energy
Division: Energy
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Employee Class: Short Term
Job Grade: P03

Purpose of Job

• Undertakes policy, strategic planning, and manages the activities for the operationalization of the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM) in order to achieve the strategic objectives of an integrated continental electricity market in Africa and contribute to AU’s overall goals. 

Main Functions

• Development and implementation of the Action Plans for AfSEM in line with AU strategies and action plans as part of the SPCU
• Plan, and organise meetings of the AfSEM governance structures and coordinate the secretariat function of their meetings
• Provide support to the technical committees as well as regional and continental decision and policy makers on AfSEM related issues
• Monitor and evaluate the progress in the harmonisation of the regulatory frameworks for the electricity market in Africa, 
• Supervise consultancy studies on various aspects of AfSEM
• Facilitate energy initiatives and activities related to AfSEM
• Prepare position papers, project proposals and reports regarding the electricity market in Africa
• Prepare annual budgets for AfSEM implementation

Specific Responsibilities

• Strategic planning, including annual activity plan of the AfSEM governance structures; 
• Implementing the AfSEM Action Plan activities and serving as a coordinator of the AfSEM Governance organs activities
• Management of activities with AfSEM implementing agencies and cooperation partners such as Power Pools, Regional Regulators, pan-African institutions and others
• Preparing reports including draft decisions for submission to the AU Policy Organs; 
• Monitoring the developments of the Continental Power System Master Plan (CMP) in synergies with AfSEM
• Facilitate rapid dissemination and exchange of information on AfSEM among Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Member States, development partners and specialized institutions in the energy sector
• Develop strategic partnerships with AfSEM stakeholders including development partners and international financial institutions
• Provide timely quality information and technical advice on priorities and activities of AfSEM to the Director of Infrastructure & Energy
• Prepare proposals of programmes and projects in accordance with the Action Plan for the implementation of AfSEM.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s Degree in Electrical / Electronics Engineering, Energy Systems or related fields with at least seven (7) years of relevant work experience, of which at least three (3) years should be at expert level.

OR

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical / Electronics Engineering, Energy Systems or related fields with at least ten (10) years of relevant work experience, of which at least three (3) years should be at expert level.

Required Skills:

• The Expert who is envisioned to undertake this assignment must have a proven track record in fields related to Electricity Policy and Regulatory Framework, Energy Market formulation, Energy system Planning, and energy Project Management at the continental level.

The following Skills and experience are required:

• Energy policy analytical thinking and energy planning, organizing and problem-solving abilities 
• Institutional understanding of the operation of electricity market at national, regional and continental levels in Africa
• Ability to analyze and synthesize energy policies and targets effectively in order to communicate complex and technical information to technical and general audiences 
• Skills in facilitating meetings of regional and continental actors related to the electricity sector effectively and efficiently 
• Ability to provide high quality advice for energy sector strategy, projects and programmes related to the Action Plan for AfSEM, and other continental energy programmes
• Ability to build strong relationships within the AUC teams, development partners and other important Pan African institutions
• Ability to anticipate and understand projects developers’ needs, formulate clear strategic plans, prioritize interventions, and allocate resources according to the priorities of the Strategy for AfSEM
• Experience in policy dialogue in the energy sector at the international level;
• Experience working at an international level and with international development agencies, working with Regional Economic Communities and knowledge of the African Union systems will be an added advantage;
• Proficiency in English is required, and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Perspective
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationship
• Foster Accountability Culture
• .Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Fosters Innovation

Tenure of Appointment:

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period.
• Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables. 

Gender Mainstreaming:

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Languages:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 96,921.34 (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 78,461.08 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
11th July, 2025, 11h59 p.m. EAT.