Economist 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: Economist

Req Id: 2812
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Job Grade: P2
Reports to: Permanent Representative 
Division: AU Permanent Mission in Brussels
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• Under the overall guidance of the Permanent Representative, the Economic Officer will provide support and advice on key economic issues relating to the AU-EU Partnership (Trade, economic integration, private sector investment, sustainable financing etc.) in line with the priorities enshrined in AU Agenda 2063 as well as all economic issues with the OACPS Secretariat.

Main Functions

• Provide support in following up on the activities of the Permanent Mission, including monitoring and evaluating progress made in line with a predefined strategic plan.
• Suggest new and expand on existing policy areas for planned research and assist in gathering and data analysis.
• Participate in the organisation of relevant meetings, congresses and conferences with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide support in preparation and development reports, budget and work programmes related to the respective areas and the functioning of the Division.
• Participate in OACPS meetings relating to Economic Development and Trade Partnerships.
• Liaise with the various Departments/Units of the Commission for coordination and alignment purposes.

Specific Responsibilities
The Economist will be responsible for the following duties:
Monitor the Coherence of the EU Policy vis-à-vis the AU-EU Cooperation:

• Monitor and analyse EU Policy initiatives regarding economic development and international cooperation and prepare written analyses and briefing notes.
• Follow up the implementation of AU-EU resolutions on economic issues and assist in the monitoring and evaluation with a focus on trade, regional integration and sustainable financing.
• Provide substantive support for the preparation of AU-EU Coordination meetings (College-to-College, Steering Committee and AU-EU Ministerial Meetings).
• Whenever required, draft briefing and background notes, reports, and other documents relating to economic issues and the AU-EU Cooperation.

   Support the Coordination of the Group of African Ambassadors in Brussels (GAAB):

• Plan, organize and provide substantial servicing of Ad hoc Group meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops at the level of the GAAB on selected economic issues.  
• Facilitate coordination and dialogue between the GAAB and the Subcommittee on Multilateral cooperation of the PRC with regards to EU Economic Cooperation
• Promote, facilitate and support the participation of the GAAB and RECs in relevant events/ Forums on economic and financial issues in Brussels.

 Maximizing the AU Visibility and Efficiency:

• Act as Focal Point for the participation of the Permanent Mission in external meetings on economic fields with a view to promoting Agenda 2063 and relevant AU programmes and decisions.
• Support the preparation, the coordination and the implementation of the Mission’s Programme Budget and assist in the consolidation of the reports as well as take lead in program budget preparation and audit response and validation of responses on issues relating to the program budgets execution.
• Take the lead in the organization of events on the AU Theme of the Year relating to economic issues.   
• Support the Permanent Representative in preparation of Annual reports to Chairperson.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Development Economics, International Business and Trade, Finance or related fields with 5 (five) years relevant work experience. 

 Or

• Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, Development Economics, International Trade, Finance or related fields with 2 years relevant work experience. 

Required Skills:

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and report writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work and build relationship in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent drafting and presentation skills.
• Ability to effectively use office applications and data presentation/analysis tools,.
• Ability to work across business units / geographies; cultural sensitive environment.
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.
• Be detail oriented with excellent organisational and coordination skills.

Leadership Competencies:

• Change Management.
• Managing Risk.

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration.
• Accountability awareness and Compliance.
• Learning Orientation.
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving.
• Job Knowledge and Information Sharing.
• Drive for Results.
• Continuous Improvement Focus.

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.

Tenure of Appointment

• The appointment will be made on a regular term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months shall be considered as a probationary period.
• Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.

Remuneration

• Indicative basic salary of US$ 31,073.00 (P2 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (54% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$  23,184.00 (per annum), and education allowance (100% of tuition and other education-related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10,000.00 per child per annum), for internationally recruited staff and a maximum of $3,300 per child per annum for locally recruited staff.

Application Closing Date
22nd September 2025.