SECRETARY TO THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL LAW
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: SECRETARY TO THE AFRICAN
UNION COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL LAW (10000517)
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 new partnerships 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 Secretary to the African Union Commission on International Law.
1. POST
Job Title : Secretary to the AU Commission on International Law
POST LEVEL : P4
DEPARTMENT : Office of the Legal Counsel
Supervisor : Deputy Director, Legal Counsel
DUTY STATION : Addis Ababa
2. MAJOR Duties and responsibilities
a) Provide secretariat functions to the AU Commission on International Law (AUCIL);
b) Undertake all research on legal issues that may be requested by the policy organs, the AU Commission, or the AUCIL diverse range of issues in international law and any designated area(s) of specialization, including the law of the AU as contained in treaties and “soft law”;
c) Convene meetings prepare background papers, working documents and assist in the preparation of reports for the consideration of the AUCIL and the AU policy organs and disseminate to all Member States;
d) Engage in communication with African legal institutions, scholars, legal centres of excellence, national institutions dealing with legal reform and universities in order to gather their views on major international legal issues ;
e) Advise on the harmonization and co-ordination of legal strategies and policies of all AU Member States and promote the harmonization of state practice and international obligations within the African Union;
f) Examine international legal issues arising out of the implementation of the Constitutive Act and other OAU/AU treaties and advise Member States and the AU policy organs on appropriate responses;
g) Manage and coordinate all activities of his/her Office; supervise and assign tasks to subordinates; prepare the work programme and the budget of the Secretariat of the AUCIL;
h) Undertake studies on the legal aspects of the integration process on the continent;
i) Undertake studies on legal matters relating to the promotion of peace and security in Africa, including the demarcation and delineation of African borders;
j) Undertake drafting of treaties, cooperation agreements, host agreements, and other legal instruments
k) Follow up on the adoption and implementation of treaties and other legal instruments by the Regional Economic Communities and advise on harmonisation policies and strategies.
l) Review existing OAU/AU treaties, identifying areas for the conclusion of new treaties, initiating drafts of new treaties or revisions to existing treaties and to advise on the interpretation of treaties and on general international legal issues.
m) Ensure the smooth functioning of the AU Commission on International Law and the affairs of the Secretariat;
n) Assist the AUCIL in research, drafting and codification of OAU/AU legal instruments.
o) Provide legal advice on issues relating to International legal Co-operation between the Union and external partners.
p) Assist the AU Commission on International Law in advising on the review of existing treaties, identifying new areas requiring conclusion of new treaties, elaborating new treaties or revisions or protocols to existing treaties.
q) Assist with the management and coordination of activities between AUCIL and the Office of the Legal Counsel;
r) Ensure all the research work required by Policy organs, the AU Commission, or the AUCIL is undertaken expeditiously.
s) Perform any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
- EDUCATIONAL QualificationS
Candidates must have a minimum of Masters Degree in legislative drafting or international law or equivalent qualification. A postgraduate professional qualification to practice law will be an added advantage.
4. WORK EXPERIENCE
Candidates must have at least 8 years of relevant experiences at managerial level in government, public or international organization or in private practice, or in an academic institution, at least 3 of which have been in the practice or teaching of legislative drafting or servicing a commission of a similar nature.
- OTHER RELEVANT Skills
• Candidates must exhibit leadership and organizational abilities, capacity to work under pressure in a multicultural environment, computer literacy; excellent knowledge of the workings of international organizations and proven negotiation skills.
• Candidates must have excellent research and analytical skills;
• Candidates must have an excellent command of and good drafting skills in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French and Portuguese). Knowledge of any of the other three will be an added advantage.
- LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages. Knowledge of one or several other working language(s) would be an added value.
- AGE REQUIREMENT:
Candidates must preferably be between 35 to 50 years of age.
- 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:
To apply, please submit the following:
a) A letter stating reasons for seeking employment with the AU 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.
11. REMUNERATION:
Indicative basic salary of US$38,489.00 per annum plus other related entitlements-e.g. Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance ($16,819.20 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.
Application must be received not later than 20 April 2011 and should be addressed to:
AU COMMISSION
P.O.BOX 3243
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
FAX: +251-11-5525840/5510430
E-mail: au-recruits@africa-union.org
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