Job Vacancies at African Union

About The Job

Purpose of Job:

• Under the overall supervision of the Director, AfCFTA Trade Policy Review, the Technical advisor of for capacity Building will be responsible for a wide range of issues relating to development, implementation, monitoring and quality assurance of capacity building, research and training, both for state parties of the AfCFTA and the staff of the Secretariat.

Main Functions:

• Develop a network of support with relevant national, regional and international institutions in the area of capacity building for trade policy and research.
• Transfer practical knowledge and skills for capacity building initiatives, training development, training management and research.
• Periodically undertake training, needs assessments and capacity reviews for state parties to the AfCFTA and the AfCFTA Secretariat (where appropriate the private sector and civil society) on AfCFTA implementation.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Formulate training plans and associated budget.
• Oversee and coordinate course, curricula, and training material development.
• Closely monitor the latest developments and assist with fact finding and data analysis in trade and trade related trends at the regional, continental and global levels and ensure that appropriate findings are reflected in training plans and materials.
• Develop a resource library (including an e-library) augmenting it with training and reference materials, articles, publications, manuals for the benefit of AfCFTA state parties, AfCFTA Secretariat, the private sector and civil society.
• In coordination with relevant AfCFTA directorates and units, prepare terms of reference for external training providers.
• Advise on capacity building, research and training providers on building synergies and complementarity between multiple training initiatives in the context of AfCFTA negotiations, implementation and dispute settlement.
• Develop a roster of and repository of potential trainers and service providers relevant to the needs of AfCFTA state parties and the AfCFTA Secretariat and regularly update the roster and the repository.
• Advice the AfCFTA Secretary General on the selection of external training experts.
• Build a roster of AU internal resources for the purposes of leveraging on internal capacities of the AfCFTA Secretariat and Organs of the AU.
• Oversee admission and selection process of participants.
• Represent the AfCFTA Secretary General on Capacity building related tasks and any other tasks as determined by the Secretary General.
• Lead and actively participate in the delivery of capacity building initiatives for state parties and the AfCFTA Secretariat.
• Develop and maintain a project training database; contribute, as necessary, to the design and maintenance of databases and other information systems related to project activities and other capacity building initiatives.
• Ensure proper quality control is provided to all training and capacity building undertakings through regular monitoring and evaluation, in process and after-action reviews, by obtaining feedbacks from beneficiaries.
• Undertake biennial tracer surveys.
• Develop training Alumni network.
• Serve as a primary focal point for AfCFTA Secretariat on capacity building and lead the identification of developmental needs of state parties and the design and implementation of customized trainings for them.
• Liaise with other AfCFTA staff members and units on admin/logistics/operations matters in support of project activities.
• Develop and provide inputs to the progress, interim and final reports.
• Develop an e-learning and virtual training platform.
• Develop annual work plan and budget.

Academic Requirements And Relevant Experience:

• Master’s degree in International Economic Law, Trade Policy and Trade Law or other relevant field.
• Sound experience in working with/in capacity building projects.
• Minimum of 14 years of combination of experience in trade negotiations and working experience in the field of capacity building exclusively on trade policy and trade law. Eight (8) of these years should be at the senior management level and five (5) should involve a supervisory role.

Required Skills:

• The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following technical and behavioural competencies:

Behavioural Competences:

• Identifies the immediate and peripheral clients of own work.
• Ability to engage in continuous learning.
• Contributes to state parties and staff member’s capacity enhancement.
• Demonstrates interest in improving relevant skills.
• Actively shares relevant information.
• Writes clearly and effectively, adapting wording and style to the intended audience.
• Listens effectively and communicates clearly, adapting delivery to the audience.
• Masters subject matter related to responsibilities.
• Identifies opportunities and risks central to responsibilities.
• Incorporates gender-related needs, perspectives, and concerns, and promotes equal gender participation.
• Works effectively with people from different cultures by adapting to relevant cultural contexts.
• Actively contributes to an effective, collegial, and agreeable team environment.

Technical Competences:

• Effectively applies specialized knowledge skills in designing, implementation, monitoring and reporting of trade and trade related capacity building initiatives including research.
• Experience in trade and trade related negotiations at regional, continental and multilateral level.
• Experience in trade and trade policy related implementation and enforcement.
• Development of curricula, training manuals, course outlines, training evaluation tools, capacity building budget.
• Experience in teaching postgraduate students and mid-level career professionals.
• Demonstrated experience in trade policy and trade law research.
• Experience in the development of the Trade legal instruments.
• Ability to work under pressure with minimal resources.
• Proven skills in designing, implementation, monitoring and reporting of capacity building initiatives.
• Excellent understanding of trade policy and law in the context of AfCFTA.
• Ability to work independently or under minimum supervision
• Excellent computer literacy, including research skills through internet.
• Results and goal oriented.
• Excellent communication, written and verbal skills in any of the official languages of the AU.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Perspective
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk
• Core Competencies
• Building Relationships
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact
• Functional Competencies
• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Fosters Innovation

TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables.

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

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

REMUNERATION:

• The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 154,098.21 (P6 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 135,267.50 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Only candidates who have met all the requirements of the post and have been selected for an interview will be contacted.
 

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About The Job

Purpose of Job

• The Program Management Officer will be responsible for the preparation, coordination and assist on implementation of the AfCFTA conference et meetings

Main Functions:

• Organize meetings and conferences for the AfCFTA Secretariat
• Assist in development of guidelines, policies and manuals that can guide on Meetings and Conference preparation
• Provide support to the implementation of initiatives related to area of specialization;
• Develop annual evaluation report and present findings.
• Assist on the preparation of documents related to the meetings and conferences.
• Assist in providing technical guidance on matters relating to document records system

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide appropriate conference facilities (venue booking, public address system, office equipment) and support services (contracting of translators and interpreters, secretarial staff) for all meetings of the various levels of the AfCFTA Institutions – where appropriate this will be done in co-operation with other directorates
• Ensure the timely distribution of supporting documentation for the meetings of the various levels of the AfCFTA Institutions and post-meeting minutes (Reports);
• Ensure that appropriate venues, public address and other conference facilities, translation and interpretation services, and secretarial support are provided for all meetings of the AfCFTA Institutions
• Refer all necessary clearances on the AfCFTA administrative and financial management systems to the office of the Secretary General once they have been approved by the Director
• Assist the Director to maintain and disseminate an up-to-date schedule of all current and future meetings of all levels of the AfCFTA Institutions
• Ensure the collection, preservation, referencing and filing of copies of all supporting documentation, short-term study reports and recommendations, agendas, minutes, and other documents prepared for and used by all of the meetings of the various levels of the AfCFTA Institutions
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Director

Academic Requirements And Relevant Experience:

• University Master’s degree in economics, Statistics, Social Sciences, Programme or Project Management, Business Administration, or other relevant fields with 2 years relevant work experience in similar institutions

or

• University bachelor’s degree in economics, Statistics, Social Sciences, Programme or Project Management, Business Administration, or other relevant fields with Five (5) years of experience in similar institutions

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 Result
• Continuous Improvement Focus

TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed 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

REMUNERATION:

• The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 88,381.02 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 70,805.71 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Only candidates who have met all the requirements of the post and have been selected for an interview will be contacted.
 

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About The Job

Purpose of Job

• The main objective of this assignment is to provide support to the AfCFTA Secretariat in AfCFTA digital trade negotiations and implementation.

Main Functions:

• Provide support in the preparation and Implement the programmes developed out of the Division’s strategic plan
• Ensure effective coordination and implementation of Unit’s plans and activities at various levels
• Liaise with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other relevant stakeholders on relevant matters
• Prepare and develop reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Division
• Provide support to develop resource mobilization strategy with stakeholders’ coordination
• Manage and supervise direct reports to ensure their effective performance as per organization’s performance management policy and system
• Conduct complex analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the Division and AfCFTA’s internal use
• Liaise with the various Departments/Units of the Secretariat for coordination and alignment purposes
• Prepare budgets for the Division in accordance with relevant frameworks.
• Support the promotion of the activities of the Division including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets as may be required
• Actively contribute in the development of strategies, policies, programmes and plans.

Specific Responsibilities - The duties and responsibilities of the Expert include to:

• Provide support to the negotiation process for the Digital Trade Protocol, including negotiation processes, attending and reporting on negotiation meetings, following up with State Parties, managing relevant documents, and arranging necessary meetings of State Parties and stakeholders;
• Draft reports on AfCFTA negotiations supporting interaction with State and non-State Parties.
• Support integration of digital trade in AfCFTA issues and address requests from different stakeholders on digital trade.
• Produce papers for various audiences, including drafting documents and briefs for a policy audience, and support relevant research.
• Participate in the development and implementation of digital application platforms for the AfCFTA, promotion of a digital culture and building of digital business technology platforms and relationships externally with vendors, startups and third-party stakeholders;
• Support stakeholder engagement and capacity building activities, including the development of training materials and manuals, providing training to AfCFTA negotiators, and conducting training workshops on digital trade; and
• Any other related duties assigned by the Director of Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights and Digital Trade at the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Academic Requirements And Relevant Experience:

• Candidates must have a university Master Degree in International Trade, Economics, International Relations, International Law and/or technology-related areas with at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience out of which three (3) years should be at expert level.
• Candidates with University Bachelor Degree can be considered provided they have ten (10) years of relevant work experience of which three (3) years should be at expert level.
• Experience in writing for a policy audience and engagement with public and private sector stakeholders in trade and digitalisation and/or digital regulation in the African context is required.
• Understanding of Africa's regional integration agenda and key AfCFTA issues is required.
• Experience with continental, regional, and/or national policy making on relevant trade and/or digitalisation issues is desirable. Knowledge of trade negotiations is an asset. Ability to proactively address challenges is valuable.

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 organising skills
• Ability to liaise with a diverse range of people and stakeholders; and
• Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish or Swahili). 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:

• Building Relationships
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Orientation

TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

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

REMUNERATION:

• The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 100,972.49 (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 83,397.18 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Only candidates who have met all the requirements of the post and have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

go to method of application »

About The Job

Purpose of Job

• Facilitate and provide legal support and provide appropriate legal advice in various levels of the structure of the AfCFTA negotiations

Main Functions:

• Provides technical support in the preparation and implementation of programs developed out of the Division’s strategic plan
• Ensures effective coordination and implementation at various levels
• Liaises with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other stakeholders on relevant matters
• Prepares and develops reports, budget and work programs related to the functioning of the Division
• Provides technical support for the development of resource mobilization strategy with stakeholder’s coordination
• Engages with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develop relationships
• Conducts complex analysis and generates accurate reports in a timely manner for the Division and AU’s internal use.
• Liaises with the various for coordination and alignment purposes
• Contributes in the development of strategies, policies, programs and plans

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice on AfCFTA issues raised by the Member State representatives participating in meetings at the various levels of the AfCFTA negotiations structure
• Provide appropriate legal advice to the AfCFTA Secretariat, AfCFTA Bureau and others entities
• Collaborate closely with the Office of AU legal Counsel in the discharge of his/her duties
• Maintain and disseminate an up-to-date record of the status off all chapters and annexes of the text
• Assist Member states with “legal scrubbing” of the text and annexes once they have been finalized
• Assist the AfCFTA Secretariat in providing secretarial support to the AfCFTA negotiations committees
• Produce the required inputs on work done on AfCFTA legal issues arising from the negotiations to the Secretary General Office for the periodic reports of the activities of the Unit, and ensure that agreed deadlines for these inputs are strictly adhered to
• Manages and supervises employees under his/her supervision with regard to organization and performance evaluation and
• Perform any other related duties as may be assigned

Academic Requirements And Relevant Experience:

• Candidates must have a university Master’s Degree in law, international law, international trade law or another appropriate related discipline.
• Candidates must have had at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience as a negotiator or legal advisor in regional integration or trade negotiations at a national, regional, continental, or international organization, and should have involved the negotiation of legal provisions or other legal issues or the provision of legal advice to the negotiators involved.
• Candidates with University Bachelor Degree can be considered provided they have ten (10) years of relevant work experience out of which three (3) must be at expert level.

Required Skills:

• A demonstrated ability to initiate and promote collaborative approaches and implementing joint activities;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment, with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance
• Ability to assist in developing clear program goals, plans and actions that are consistent with agreed strategies and to appropriately delegate, monitor and adjust these plans and actions
• Ability to produce clear and professional reports
• Proficiency in one of the AU officials working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationships
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Orientation

TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables.

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

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

REMUNERATION:

• The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 100,972.49 (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 83,397.18 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Only candidates who have met all the requirements of the post and have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

go to method of application »

About The Job

Purpose of Job

• The main objective of this assignment is to provide support to the AfCFTA Secretariat in AfCFTA digital trade negotiations and implementation.

Main Functions:

• Handles technical activities related to the specific area of work, assists the follow up on activities planned including monitoring and evaluating progress made in line with a predefined strategic plan.
• Reviews and makes recommendations on existing policy areas.
• Contributes in conducting analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the respective Unit/Division and AfCFTA’s internal use.
• Provides support in setting the overall research direction of a relevant policy area.
• Responsible for execution of defined study/research areas.
• Participates in the organisation of relevant meetings with stakeholders.
• Engages with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develop working relationships.
• Supports the promotion of the activities of the Unit/Division/Directorate including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets.
• Provides support in drafting reports and participate in the preparation of budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Unit/Division as required
• Provides technical support to internal and external stakeholders

Specific Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities of the Expert include to:

• support the digital transformation efforts of the AfCFTA Secretariat
• support the development and implementation of digital application platforms for the AfCFTA
• support the development and implementation of a digital strategy by working with different stakeholders to transition from traditional to digital processes
• promote digital culture and build digital business technology platforms
• build relationships externally with vendors, startups and third-party stakeholders
• keep pace with market innovation to maintain a fresh digital strategy for the AfCFTA
• support the development and implementation of business processes and associated technical solutions
• support to the implementation, and negotiation process for the Digital Trade Protocol, including negotiation processes, attending and reporting on negotiation meetings, following up with State Parties, managing relevant documents, and arranging necessary meetings of State Parties and stakeholders
• draft reports on AfCFTA negotiations supporting interaction with State and non-State Parties.
• support integration of digital trade in AfCFTA issues and address requests from different stakeholders on digital trade.
• produce papers for various audiences, including drafting documents and briefs for a policy audience, and support relevant research.
• support stakeholder engagement and capacity-building activities, including the development of training materials and manuals, providing training to AfCFTA negotiators, and conducting training workshops on digital trade and
• any other related duties assigned by the Director of Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights and Digital Trade at the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Academic Requirements And Relevant Experience:

• Candidates must have a university Master Degree in International Trade, Economics, International Relations, International Law and/or technology-related areas at least two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience.
• Candidates with University Bachelor Degree can be considered provided they have five (5) years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in designing and building digital applications or platforms, coding languages, (e.g. Java, Python, PHP, C++, etc)
• Ability to navigate multiple computer applications and systems
• Understanding of Africa's regional integration agenda and key AfCFTA issues is required.
• Experience with continental, regional, and/or national policy-making on relevant trade and/or digitalization issues is desirable. Knowledge of trade negotiations is an asset.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to work independently to meet critical and competing deadlines (multi-tasking), to produce high-quality work in short timeframes
• Excellent drafting, reporting, communication and presentation skills
• Strong programme/project management skills

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 and
• Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish or Swahili). Knowledge of one more or several other working languages would be an added advantage.

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

TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables.

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

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

REMUNERATION:

• The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 88,381.02 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 70,805.71 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Only candidates who have met all the requirements of the post and have been selected for an interview will be contacted.