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: Country Representative, AfCDC
Requisition ID: 2957
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Number of Openings: 1
Purpose of Job
- The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a specialized technical institution of the African Union, established to strengthen the continent’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to disease threats and public health emergencies. In line with the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda (AHSS) Africa CDC is committed to advancing a new public health agenda that prioritizes African-led solutions, sustainable health systems, and continental self-reliance in health security.
- The Country Representative serves as the key institutional representative driving this agenda at the national level.
Main Functions
- The Country Representative will provide strategic leadership to advance the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) Agenda, the Africa CDC Strategic Plan, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 at the country level. Through effective coordination, partnership building, and program implementation, the Representative will play a pivotal role in translating continental priorities into impactful national actions.
- The incumbent will ensure strong alignment between national health priorities and continental frameworks, fostering coherence, country ownership, and sustainable impact. In doing so, the role will support Member States to strengthen health systems, enhance preparedness and response capacities, and contribute to the broader transformation of Africa’s public health architecture.
Specific Responsibilities
Representation and Strategic Advocacy:
- Serve as the official country-level representative to engage government authorities, donors, and the media.
- Align national policies and investments with the Africa CDC Strategic Plan and Health Security Agenda.
Strategic Leadership and Planning:
- Execute country operational plans aligned with national health strategies and the Agenda 2063 framework.
- Conduct strategic analysis to identify public health gaps and opportunities for system strengthening.
Program Management and Delivery:
- Oversee end-to-end program lifecycles across surveillance, laboratory systems, and emergency response.
- Ensure technical quality and full compliance with Africa CDC operational procedures and donor requirements.
Emergency Preparedness and Response Leadership:
- Coordinate rapid mobilization of technical expertise and resources during outbreaks and health emergencies.
- Maintain robust preparedness systems, including contingency plans and incident management mechanisms.
Partnership Development and Coordination:
- Sustain strategic partnerships with the WHO, regional entities, and the private sector to drive impact.
- Lead coordination in national platforms and technical working groups to ensure effort complementarity.
Resource Mobilization and Financial Stewardship:
- Drive resource mobilization through donor engagement and strategic positioning of in-country programs.
- Manage country office budgets in strict accordance with African Union financial and procurement regulations.
Capacity Building and Technical Assistance:
- Strengthen national public health capacity via institutional training, mentorship, and sustainable skill transfers.
- Facilitate knowledge exchange between national institutions and regional centers to enhance capabilities.
Governance, Compliance, and Reporting:
- Guarantee compliance with organizational ethics, data protection standards, and safeguarding policies.
- Deliver high-quality performance and financial reports to Africa CDC headquarters and strategic partners.partners.
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
- Master’s Degree or higher in Public Health, Epidemiology, Medicine, Health Policy, Global Health, International Development, or related field with minimum of twelve (12) years of relevant responsible experience in public health, health security, disease surveillance, or emergency response, including at least 5 years in leadership/management roles.
- Additional training in health security, health diplomacy, or health economics is an asset.
- Demonstrated experience working with Ministries of Health, National Public Health Institutes, regional economic communities, and multilateral health organizations.
- Experience in policy advocacy, partnership building, and high-level representation in African political and technical forums.
- Proven experience in outbreak response, surveillance systems, laboratory strengthening, or health systems strengthening is highly desirable.
Proven track record in managing health security programs, outbreak response, or health sovereignty initiatives (e.g., local manufacturing, health workforce development).
- Experience managing donor-funded programs, budgets, and compliance.
Required Skills:
- Strong stakeholder engagement, diplomacy and coordination skills across AU and humanitarian partners.
- Excellent diplomatic and political acumen.
- Ability to engage confidently with Ministers,
- Ambassadors/Permanent Representatives, senior government officials, and heads of agencies.
- Deep understanding of the African and global health architecture, including AU, Africa CDC, WHO, development partners, and key health initiatives and funds.
- Strong leadership and people-management capabilities, experience leading multicultural and diverse teams.
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills; ability to prepare high-level briefs, speeches, and presentations.
- High integrity, sound judgment, and sensitivity to political and cultural contexts across AU Member States.