Bilingual Secretary (AfCFTA) at African Union

About The Job

Purpose of Job

• To provide secretarial and clerical support services in at least two AU official working languages to the assigned supervisor for its effective functioning.

Main Functions:

• Draft and proofread documents, reports, correspondences, messages, queries, etc in two AU official working languages as may be assigned by supervisors;
• Respond to and screen various correspondences such as telephone calls, e-mail messages and ensure follow up with supervisors and partners,
• Attend visitors and staff and provide them with basic information on relevant issues and procedures;
• Maintain a proper filing and recording system for all incoming and outgoing correspondences and documents.
• Provide timely operational support.
• Implement operational activities as scheduled and report.
• Assist in the follow up of logistical arrangements, activity implementation and provision of updates.
• Liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Follow up meeting decisions and correspondence outcomes and ensure their implementation.
• Prepare routine office communication and assist in compiling data and information for reporting purposes.
• Assist in the creation, improvement and maintenance of record and retrieval systems
• Follow up on the provision and maintenance of office facilities and materials

Specific Responsibilities:

• Keep an up to date diary of appointments for supervisors
• Provide day to day routine administrative supports to various work units of the assigned Department / Division / Units
• Keep equipment in use in good condition and report on defects for maintenance and other necessary action
• Ensure availability of stationery stock, equipment and furniture in offices assigned
• Perform reception services where required
• Type and proofread documents, reports, correspondences, messages, queries, etc. in two of the African Union working languages as may be required by assigned supervisors
• Draft responses to routine correspondences for the signature of the supervisors;
• Receive guests/visitors/Staff and provide them with basic information on relevant issues and procedures
• Maintain a proper filing and recording system for all incoming and outgoing correspondences and documents
• Answer and screen telephone calls/E-mail messages and ensure follow up with supervisors and partners
• Keep an up-o-date diary of appointments for supervisors and other senior Staff
• Keep equipment in use in good condition and report on defects for maintenance and other necessary action
• Provide day-to-day routine administrative supports to various work units of the assigned Divisions and Units
• Perform any other relevant duties and responsibility as may be assigned.

Academic Requirements And Relevant Experience:

• Diploma in Administrative Services, Office Management, Secretarial and Clerical related studies with 3 years of relevant bilingual secretarial work experience in public organization, diplomatic mission, international organization or international non-governmental organizations.
• Candidates who are holder of bachelor’s degree in Administrative Services, Office Management, Secretarial and Clerical related studies are required to have a minimum of 2 years of relevant bilingual secretarial work experience in public organization, diplomatic mission, international organization or international non-governmental organizations

Required Skills:

• Excellent knowledge of computer office applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point
• Sound planning and organizational skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Strong communication ability both orally and in writing
• Excellent team player and able to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Decision maker, firm yet flexible, confident
• Be able to manage stress.
• Strong personality but friendly, polite and patient
• Work quickly, accurately and efficiently, meeting tight deadlines
• Be able to work unsupervised on your own initiative
• Applicants must be proficient in two of the following African Union working languages; Arabic, English, French or Portuguese. Knowledge of one more or several other working languages would be an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Flexibility L1
• Risk Awareness and Compliance L1

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and collaboration
• Accountability awareness and Compliance
• Learning orientation
• Communicating clearly

Functional Competencies:

• Trouble shooting
• Job knowledge sharing
• Task focused
• Continuous improvement awareness

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.

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, Portuguese, and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

AU Values:

• Respect for Diversity and Team Work
• Think Africa Above all
• Transparency and Accountability
• Integrity and Impartiality
• Efficiency and Professionalism
• Information and Knowledge Sharing
• Organization Information

Reports to: 

• Director of the concerned department

Job Grade: 

• GSA5