Deadline: Aug 10, 2023
Location: Ethiopia, Ethiopia
Organization: African Union
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
Reports to: Director of Agriculture and Rural Development
Directorate/Department/Organ: Agriculture, Rural Development & Blue Economy
Division: Agriculture & Food Security
Number of Direct Reports: 3
Number of Indirect Reports: 13
Job Grade: P5
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Regular
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Purpose of Job
Directs and manages the daily operations of the Agriculture and Food Security Division in order to achieve the strategic objectives of the directorate and the AU’s overall goals.
Main Functions
• Designs and implements policies, programs and projects to achieve the directorate’s strategic objectives.
• Manages and supervises employees within the division, ensures the timely delivery of the directorate’s goals and effective staff performance evaluation;
• Designs policies, strategies and programs to contribute to the effective implementation of relevant AU Policy Organs Decisions;
• Ensures the delivery of the division’s annual targets in line with the directorate’s overall goals and ensures robust and timely monitoring and reporting;
• Provides technical leadership and ensures efficient functioning of all Units within the Division
• Manages the work of the Division and supervises direct reports to ensure their effective performance in line with the organization’s performance management policy and system;
• Engages stakeholders within Members States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs)/Regional Mechanisms(RMs) and relevant international organisations in designing and implementing strategies.
• Maintains thematic partnerships in support of the mandate of the Division;
• Maintains regular working relations with senior stakeholders in Member States and partner institutions in the execution of the Division’s mandate.
• Represents the organisation and communicates its position at conferences.
• Contributes to the preparation of periodic financial and budget execution reports and monitor budget execution at division level.
• Ensures the effective management of funds contributed to the organization;
• Manages risk within the division and recommends mitigation strategies
• Contributes to the development of the departmental business continuity plan and ensures implementation at division level
• Maintains a positive work environment that facilitates collaboration and information sharing and is conducive to attracting, retaining, and motivating diverse talent.
Specific Responsibilities
• Initiates and develops policies, strategies and programmers that contribute to the goals of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment consistent with AUC vision and mandates;
• Provides support for the implementation of policies, strategies and programs in terms of advocacy, coordination and guidance that contribute to effective implementation of relevant AU decisions;
• Provides overall guidance and management for the human, financial and material resources of the Agriculture and Food Security Division;
• Liaises with other departments of the AU Commission as well as RECs, Member States and other relevant stakeholders to identify and promote synergies across initiatives and to ensure a coordinated development and implementation of such initiatives.
• Coordinates with the Head of Rural Development Division to ensure coherence and synergy in the Directorate’s strategies and plans;
• Builds and strengthens strategic partnerships to harness technical and financial resources necessary for effective implementation of policies, strategies and programs;
• Creates and strengthens various forums for stakeholders’ consultations, exchange of experiences, lessons, and capacity building; and represent the AUC in such forums.
• Prepares periodic reports on implementation of programs of the Division;
• Represents the Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development in AU missions as well as in taskforces/committees and meetings;
• Provides support to the Director of Agriculture and Rural Development in preparing statements, proposals, reports and other relevant tasks;
• Leads the development and implementation of Strategic initiatives and programs to contribute towards the achievement of AU/ARBE mandates, roles and strategies;
• Oversees the development of mechanisms to enhance capacity for evidence based planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
• Oversees strengthening capacity in terms of skills development, and streamlined/enhanced organizations, networks, and systems;
• Oversees and strengthening partnerships with relevant development institutions and stakeholders
• Leads strategy for advocacy, and broadening support for initiatives, and resources mobilization for implementation of the programs;
• Ensures effective and efficient management of human, financial and material resources at the disposal of the Division;
• Performs any other related duties as assigned by the Director of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
• Master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Animal Sciences, Food Policy, and Development Studies or related fields with twelve (12) years of relevant work experience working in progressively responsible positions, with seven (7) years of at managerial level and five (5) years at supervisory level.
• A higher degree qualification would be an added advantage.
Required Skills
• Leadership and management skills
• Interpersonal and Negotiation skills
• Analytical and research skills
• Planning and organizational skills
• Knowledge in the use of Microsoft Office suite and AU computer systems
• Communication, report writing and presentation skills
• Ability to work in teams and in a multi-cultural environment
• Knowledge and understanding of the policies, strategies and programmes of AU
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese or Spanish) is a must. Knowledge of one or all of the other working languages would be an added advantage.
Leadership Competencies
Strategic Perspective
Developing Others
Change Management
Managing Risk
Core Competencies
Building Relationship ….
Foster Accountability Culture
.Learning Orientation
.Communicating with impact
Functional Competencies
Conceptual thinking:
Job Knowledge and Information Sharing ….
.Drive for Result
Fosters Innovation:
TENURE OF 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 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:
Indicative basic salary of US$ 50,746.00 (P5 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment ( 46% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 26,208.00 (per annum), and education allowance (100% of tuition and other education-related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10,000.00 per child per annum), for internationally recruited staff and a maximum of $3,300 per child per annum for locally recruited staff.
Applications must be submitted no later than August 14, 2023 11h59 p.m. EAT.
-Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.
-Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as diplomas, Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.
-The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
-Candidates from less represented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles. These countries include Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Sahrawi D.R., Sao Tome and Principe., Seychelles, Somalia and Tunisia
