LEGAL OFFICER (INSTITUTIONAL LEGAL AFFAIRS)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: LEGAL OFFICER (INSTITUTIONAL LEGAL AFFAIRS) - 10000523

The African Union (AU), established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa's rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa the capital city of Ethiopia.

In seeking to achieve this objective, the African Union Commission (AUC) intends to build its capacity to deliver, among others, the implementation of its organizational structure by filling up vacancies.

The Commission is therefore inviting applicants who are citizens of Member States of the African Union to apply for the position of Legal Officer (Institutional Legal Affairs) within the Office of the Legal Counsel.

1. Post :

Job Title: Legal Officer (Institutional Legal Affairs)

Grade: P2

Department: Office of the Legal Counsel

Immediate Supervisor: Senior Legal Officer (Institutional and General

Legal Affairs)

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2. Job Summary

· To provide legal advice to all Departments, Directorates and Units of the Commission as well as AU policy organs in order to ensure legality in decision making and compliance with the legal instruments of the AU, with particular emphasis on institutional and administrative issues;

· To provide legal advice to AU policy organs and other organs regarding the interpretation of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community (Abuja Treaty), other treaties and conventions, Staff Rules and Regulations, Financial Rules and Regulations and other administrative or institutional issues;

3. Major Duties and Responsibilities:

· Provide necessary legal advisory services to the various AU Policy Organs and other AU institutions;

· Draft or assist in the drafting of legal texts relating to the amendment or implementation of the Staff Rules and Regulations, and Financial Rules and Regulations;

· Draft host agreements for AU meetings and assist in ensuring their implementation;

· Provide advice on all issues relating to privileges and immunities of the AU, its staff and representatives accredited to the Union as well as experts on mission for the Union;

· Provide legal advice to all the policy Organs of the AU on the interpretation of legal texts relating to administrative and institutional matters;

· Draft or assist in the drafting of administrative contracts and agreements such as contracts of engagement of personnel, consultants and contracts awarded for the procurement of goods or services;

· Prepare contracts to which the AU may be a party and offer advice on issues and disputes that may arise from their application;

· Prepare reports for submission to the Executive Council and the Assembly of the Union;

· Participate in meetings of a legal nature on behalf of the Office of the Legal Counsel;

· Advise on Legal Issues relating to conflict prevention, management and resolution;

· Ensure that the privileges and immunities of the Union and its staff, representatives accredited to it and experts on mission for the Union are assured and protected as provided for in the Headquarters Agreements and the General Conventions on Privileges and Immunities of the AU;

· Assist in the preparation of election documents for elected officials of the AU, members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, judges of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, etc., and assist the Legal Counsel to conduct the elections before the assembly of the union or the Executive Council;

· Follow-up on matters being handled by specified administrative committees such as the Joint Administrative Committee, Joint Disciplinary Board, Appointments, Promotion and Recruitment Board (APROB), and other ad hoc forces and committees;

· Draft agreements, contracts and other legal texts to ensure that the interests of the AU are protected;

· Follow-up on matters relating to international cooperation and resource mobilization; and

· Perform any other functions as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

4. Educational Qualification and Experience Required:

Candidates must have a minimum of University degree in Law equivalent qualification. An advanced university degree in Law or a post graduate professional qualification to practice law will be an added advantage.

Candidates must have at least five (5) years of relevant experience in legal positions in government, public or private sectors, in private practice, or in international organizations.

5. Other Relevant Skills Required:

· Candidates must exhibit capacity to work under pressure in a multicultural environment;

· Excellent knowledge of the workings of international organizations;

· Good drafting skills;

· Computer literate;

6. Language requirement:

Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (English, Arabic, French and Portuguese). Knowledge of one other working language would be an advantage.

7. Age requirement:

Candidates must preferable be between 25 and 35 years old

8. Tenure of Appointment:

The appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance.

9. Gender Mainstreaming:

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

10. Application: Interested candidates must submit a letter of application together with the following:

a. A letter stating reasons for seeking employment with the African Union Commission;

b. A detailed and updated CV, indicating your nationality, age and gender;

c. Names and contact details (including e-mail address) of three references;

d. Certified copies of degrees and diplomas.

10. Remuneration: Indicative basic salary of US$27,892.00 per annum plus other related entitlements- e.g. Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance ($14, 414.40 per annum), education allowance (75% of tuition and other education related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$7,800.00 per child per annum), etc for internationally recruited staff of the commission.

The applications must be received not later than 20 April 2011 and should be addressed to:

The Director of Administration and Human Resource

Development

AU Commission

Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)

P.O. Box 3243

Fax: +251-1-525840/510430

E-mail: au-recruits@africa-union.org