REGIONAL DESK OFFICER -AFRICAN UNION

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: REGIONAL DESK OFFICER (10001137)

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 position of Regional Desk Officer within the Directorate of Peace and Security.

1. POST :

Job Title: Regional Desk Officer

Grade: P2

Department: Peace and Security

Number of positions: Nine (9)

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Reports to: Head, Conflict Management Division

2. Job Summary

Arising from the volume of tasks to be accomplished and depending on all exigencies of initiatives by the AU, each of the following regions of the continent – East, West, Central, North and South shall be assigned P2 Desk Officers. In effect five regional units will be established in the Conflict Management Division as follows:

- West Africa Desk

- East Africa Desk

- North Africa Desk

- South Africa Desk.

- Central Africa Desk

3. Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Head, Conflict Management Division, the Desk Officers will be responsible for the following duties:

· follow up on trends and political developments in their respective regions of assignment with particular emphasis on early warning signals from the Continent-wide Early Warning System;

· initiate reports and analysis on conflict situations, on the instructions of the leadership of the Commission which could be submitted to AU Peace and Security Council and other decision-making organs of the AU;

· provide technical back-up for the efforts of the Special Envoys/ Representatives including maintaining liaison with AU field Missions;

· undertake annual assessment of the impact of all decisions by the Peace and Security Council on AU Member States in the Regions covered by them;

· evaluate the impact of AU Peace and Security Council initiatives on the well-being of the Continent;

· provide inputs for ensuring that the provision of CSSDCA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on monitoring the implementation of AU Decisions, can be actualized; initiate draft reports and statements for the Policy Organs of the AU and the leadership of the Commission;

· perform any other functions as may be assigned by supervisors.

4. Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications

· A minimum of University degree either in Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, Business Management or related field. Postgraduate candidates are preferred.

· A minimum of five (5) years experience working in government service, International Organization a University or a research institute. Practical involvement in Conflict mediator and/or negotiations will be an advantage.

· Proven track record of good writing and oral communication abilities.

5. 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.

6. Age requirement: candidates between the age of 25 and 35 years would be preferred

7. 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.

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

9. 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 20April 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