EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STATAFRIC at African Union

• To lead the formulation and implementation of policies, strategies, and programmes in the area of Statistics Development entailing development of harmonized, quality and accurate data in order to assist Member States of the African Union in their efforts to promote the development and modernization of the national statistical systems with a view to achieving harmonious and integrated development of the continent.

Under the general guidance of the Commissioner of Economic Affairs, the incumbent shall:

•  Lead the strategic vision, guidance and quality assurance for the STATAFRIC’s analytical, normative and policy advisory work on economic and social statistics aspects ;
•  Coordinate the efforts to transform STATAFRIC into a data center of excellence to support member States to formulate evidencebased plans and policies in support of economic and social statistics;
•  Lead and guide the work of STATAFRIC on issues of economic, social, coordination statistics, data dissemination and visualization;
•  Advise the AUC Commission at headquarters and the regional offices on statistical areas related to the STATAFRIC’s competence;
•  Lead and coordinate the provision of policy and planning assistance and capacity development support to the AU Member States on issues of relevance to STATAFRIC;
•  maintain a motivated and effective work force and a resultsoriented work environment;
•  Develop partnerships for collaborative work on areas relevant to the STATAFRIC’s work, establish and sustain strategic partnership with AU Member states, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and key national and international partners;
•  Prioritize and lead the programmatic and operational planning, implementation, monitoring and quality control of divisional work plans;
•  Represent the Organization at highlevel meetings and other events dealing with relevant issues;
•  Perform any other special assignments as directed by the Commissioner or the Chairperson of the AUC.

 Qualifications, Experience:

• A University Master’s Degree in statistics engineering, Economic Statistics, Demography, Econometric Statistics or related disciplines, with Twelve (12) years of relevant work experience at the Senior level in the area of Statistics Development which Seven (7) years should have been at managerial level.

 Required skills and Competencies

Functional

•  Good Strategic, Tactical and operational management
•  Planning and organizational
•  Good IT skills and competence in the use of standard and statistics software tools
•  Good skills in economic statistical and econometric
•  Excellent communication and negotiation skills
•  Strong oral and written communication skills
•  Conceptual Thinking: Good skills in conceptualization and coordination of national statistical development system (NSDS) and packages in data processing Uses several analytical or creative techniques to break apart complex problems into component problems or issues. Draws on complex learned concepts when examining patterns or trends and recognizes underlying issues/implications of decisions or courses of action.
•  Job Knowledge Sharing:  Champions knowledge sharing to enable continuous learning and knowledge creation. Identifies opportunities to deliver value through improved information management.
•  Drive for Result:  Makes decisions, sets priorities or chooses goals on the basis of calculated inputs and outputs and analyzes for relevant departmental/ and or organizational outcomes.
•  Build and manage strategic partnerships with a resultsoriented mindset
•  Foster Innovation:  Improves performance by taking actions that may be unique, leadingedge or new to the organization/ department or directorate. Takes calculated risks in trying something new.

Personal abilities

•  Ability to work effectively with people from various backgrounds and create an environment where diversity is respected
•  Ability to work in the a multicultural environment
•  Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with all stakeholders
•  Ability to identify key strategic opportunities and risks
•  Ability to use strong managerial delegation, political tact and supervisory skills to achieve documented objectives
•  Ability to deliver under tight deadlines and work well under pressure Ability to actively seek, identify and apply appropriate technology to improve programme delivery
•  Ability to motivate staff and utilize the talents
•  Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decisionmaking authority with regard to performance management and professional development
•  Strong analytical and problem solving capabilities Leadership
•  Strategic Perspective:  Is aware of the projected directions of trends (e.g., social, technological, etc.) and how changes might impact the organization and continuously reviews and revises plan to address longterm issues and opportunities affecting the team.
•  Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments.
•  Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules
•  Intellectual, managerial and technical leadership of a high order in the relevant subject areas
•  Developing others:  Supports the development of the team through performance management, coaching and feedback.
•  Change Management:  Creates an environment that fosters change creativity in others and gains commitment for change from staff. Actively looks for opportunity in uncharted territory.
•  Managing Risk:  Makes and implements decisions in ambiguous/ risky situations or where information is incomplete and outcome is unknown. Takes calculated risks in pursuing new and cuttingedge ideas that will enhance a project.
•  Job Knowledge Sharing:  Fosters and enables a knowledge and informationrich culture through engaging with thought leaders within and outside the organization.
•  Building Relationship:  Build and manage strategic partnerships with a resultsoriented mindset; establishes a broad network of contacts that enables the individual to gather information and encourage others to establish a chain of influence and utilize the strengths and abilities of stakeholders.
•  Foster Accountability Culture:  Makes decisions, sets priorities or chooses goals on the basis of calculated inputs and outputs; makes explicit considerations of potential returnon investment or costbenefit analysis of outcomes.
•  Learning Orientation:  Promotes and role models ongoing learning and development through establishing mechanisms to facilitate and encourage knowledge sharing in the business area. Creates relevant onthejob learning and stretch opportunities for people in the division.
•  Communicating:  Uses personal rather than positional power to influence and motivate others to achieve results even those over whom they have no line authority.
•  Fosters Innovation:  Encourages creativity on the part of others by highlighting the benefits of innovation and change on the overall performance of the organization and/or the performance department/ directorate. Knowledge and understanding
•  Excellent knowledge of workings of international organizations
•  Good understanding of African Statistical System (AfSS)
•  Working knowledge of Policy processes at global and country level

 Tenure of Appointment:

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

 Least Represented Countries

• Candidates from the following least represented countries are encouraged to apply: Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Rep. , Comoros, Congo (DRC), Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ghana, Guinea, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Saharawi Arab D.R. , Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa and South Sudan

 Gender Mainstreaming:

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