Junior Program Officer - IPR (AfCFTA) at African Union

About The Job

Purpose of Job

• The role would be to assist in the daily operations of the Division and the implementation of policies, projects and programmes related to intellectual property rights (IPRs) at the AfCFTA Secretariat working closely with senior staff in order to achieve the overall goals of the Division and the Directorate.

Main Functions:

• Assist in the daily operations of the Division
• Assist in the implementation of policies, projects and programmes related to intellectual property rights (IPRs) within the AfCFTA.
• Assist in the planning, scheduling and participating in meetings, workshops, trainings and seminars as a resource person.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Develop a database of the focal points of State Parties and non-State Parties
• Participate as a resource in meetings of AfCFTA institutions, in particular meetings of the Committee on IPRs and other capacity building workshops;
• Circulate information and documents to State and Non-State Parties or participants of any meetings, workshops, trainings and seminars held by the Division
• Assist with scheduling of institutional meetings related to IPRs
• Maintain and disseminate an up-to-date schedule of all current and future meetings of all levels of the AfCFTA negotiations on IPRs
• Assist with the translation and interpretation services arrangements
• Develop mechanisms for evaluating the impact of meetings and trade capacity workshops
• Assist in scheduling meetings of the Division, including the preparation of memos and budget
• Carry out any other tasks, as may be assigned by the Head of Division as may become necessary, including working on a range of issues to enhance links between the Division and other Divisions in the Directorate
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor
• Academic Requirements And Relevant Experience
• Bachelor’s Degree in international trade, development economics, international relations, international business, international law, political science or relevant disciplines with 2 years of relevant experience

Required Skills:

• Ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Ability to work independently to meet critical and competing deadlines (multi-tasking), to produce high quality work in short timeframes;
• Excellent interpersonal/teamwork skills
• Must be computer literate with a working knowledge of common computer applications and systems;
• Excellent drafting, reporting, communication and presentation skills.
• Strong program/project management skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent planning and organizing skills
• Ability to liaise with a diverse range of people and stakeholders
• Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages. 
• Proficiency of two or more of the other working language(s) would be an added value.
• Applicants must be proficient in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese or Spanish). 
• Knowledge of one more or several other working languages would be an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic insight
• Developing others
• Change management
• Managing risk

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and collaboration
• Accountable and complies with rules
• Learning orientation

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical thinking and problem solving
• Job knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for results

Tenure 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 Mainstream:

• 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, 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

Job Grade:

• P3

Reports to: 

• Head of Division-Intellectual Property Rights

Directorate/Department : 

• Directorate of Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights, and Digital Trade (AfCFTA)