Policy Specialist (ARBE) 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: Policy Specialist (ARBE)

Req Id: 2734
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Grade: P03
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Employee Class: Fixed Term
AU Organ: The African Union Commission
Reports to: FSRP Project Coordinator 
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Development
Division: Project Implementation Unit (PIU)

Purpose of Job

• The Food Systems Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa Project (FSRP) funded by the World Bank with the objective to increase the resilience of food systems and preparedness for food security in targeted parts of Eastern and Southern Africa.

Main Functions

• Provide technical guidance, recommendations and support the implementation of the Food Systems Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa (FSRP) project for policy and related issues.
• Support the implementation of project activities in the areas of responsibility and monitor implementation, including timely reporting.
• Assist the FRSP Project Coordinator in the daily management of the FSRP Project in line with the area of responsibility.
• Act as Project Coordinator in the absence of the FSRP Project Coordinator.
• Support the promotion of the activities of the Project, including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets.

Specific Responsibilities

• Drafting background papers, analysis, reports and studies on emerging issues related to the areas of responsibility as covered under the FSRP project.
• Mobilize technical assistance for enhancing the implementation of the FSRP project compliant with AUC standards in areas responsibility.
• Liaise with the Monitor and Evaluation Specialist in conducting relevant assessments to gather feedback and comments to support project reviews and improve delivery
• Coordinate the technical work related to partnerships and demand-driven research at Member States and regional levels in the area of responsibility.
• In close collaboration with the FSRP Project Coordinator and other staff in the PIU, organize international/inter- governmental meetings and conferences, advocate strategic partnerships, best practices, increase policy dialogue and develop and negotiate effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national partners
• Support policy advocacy and communication activities by preparing and giving presentations, preparing briefing documents, guidelines, and fact sheets for outreach with relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to the identification, formulation, and implementation of national, regional, and international capacity building for policy in coordination with a consortium of implementing partners to maintain an open dialogue and align efforts.
• Fast-track technical work addressing organizational development, partnerships, and demand- driven research at Member States level.
• Facilitate analysis of constraints and opportunities for investment at all levels of selected value chains, in relation to food and risk management systems.
• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing policies and regulatory frameworks related to food systems’ resilience in Africa.
• Develop and refine policies, strategies, and guidelines that promote food systems resilience Program, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to African countries to enhance their ability to develop and implement policies that promote food systems resilience.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and coordination among governments, private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders to promote food systems resilience Program 
• Develop and disseminate knowledge products, including policy briefs, research papers, and case studies, to support policy development and implementation.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master's Degree in Agricultural Policy or related fields with at least 7 years of relevant experience, of which 3 years should be at supervisory level.
• Or Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Policy or related fields with at least 10 years of relevant experience, of which 3 years should be at supervisory level.
• Experience in working in the context of large and complex projects. 
• Experience in the conduct of policy dialogue.

Required Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills 
• Sound planning and organisational skills
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

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

Core Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge Sharing
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Orientation

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.

Language:

• 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.