Head of Administration and Human Resources Management Division at the African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).  We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Administration and Human Resources Management Division

Requisition ID: 262
Location: Ghana
Organization: African Union Commission – AUC
Reports to: Director of Administration and Human Resources Management
Directorate: Department of Administration and Human Resources Management
Number of Direct Reports: 5
Number of Indirect Reports: 3
Job Grade: P5

Purpose of Job

• Responsible for the overall management of the Division, design strategies and policies related to Administration and Human Resources matters of the AfCFTA including, but not limited to managing processes of assessing organizational needs, develop staffing plans, design and implement programmes that facilitate professional development and continuous learning.

Main Functions

• Manage and supervise employees within the division with regard to the department goals objectives including performance evaluation;
• Design strategies and policies consistent with the Department’s goals in order to address the pertinent issues in the relevant area;
• Contribute to the development of the departmental business continuity plan and ensure implementation at division level;
• Manage risk within the division and recommend mitigation strategies;
• Design and plan policy programs to achieve the strategies in the areas of organisational development, performance management, workforce planning, staff development and organisational culture;
• Address problems arising from current approaches to relevant area;
• Engage stakeholders within Members States and RECs in designing and implementing strategies;
• Represent the organisation and explain its position at conferences;
• Mobilise funding from external stakeholders to execute HR and Administration strategies and activities;
• Contribute to the preparation of periodic financial and budget execution reports and monitor budget execution at division level; and
• Ensure creation of an inspiring work environment to enable staff development and professional progression.

Specific Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Director of Administration and Human Resources Management, the Head of Division is responsible for the following:

General Divisional Management Responsibilities:

• Develop strategies, policies, procedures and processes for successful delivery of Human Resources and Administration services at the AfCFTA Secretariat;
• Determine and execute the division’s strategy and align to the directorate and Secretariat’s overall strategy;
• Develop and promote sound people and administrative management practices by ensuring adherence and compliance with the AU Staff Regulations and Rules, code of ethics and conduct as well as systems, policies and procedures;
• Build and maintain a strategic plan to form good working relations with other directorates and AU institutions;
• Develop and maintain regular working relations with stakeholders in appropriate agencies of Member States and partners; and
• Prepare periodic financial, budget execution, staff and administrative related reports.

Administration:

• Responsible for the overall administrative functions for the efficient and consistent operations of the AfCFTA Secretariat;
• Develop and review administrative policies, procedures, practices, standards and tools that deliver services effectively, including on supply chain management and security of the Secretariat, etc.
• Developing administrative policies and manage relationship with service providers;
• Manage and maintain the AfCFTA Secretariat’s premises and its facilities;
• Advise on identifying and putting in place appropriate solutions to incorporate ICT and administrative service matters;
• Ensure appropriate use of ICT to provide streamlined cost-effective business processes;
• Prepare and present timely and effective division’s reports and statutory reports to the Leadership, Management, and other governing bodies as necessary;
• Prepare and manage divisional annual budget and ensure its execution in compliance with established Rules, Regulations, Procedures as well as AU Assembly Decisions;
• Ensure compliance with all agreements and contracts entered into by the AfCFTA secretariat;
• Ensure that the Secretariat assets and staff have insurance coverage to meet the changing needs of the organization; and

Procurement:

• Provide strategic, authoritative technical and policy advice on all aspects of Supply Chain. to the Director of AHRM and Top Management;
• Act as Secretary to Internal Procurement Committee and Tender Board
• Review evaluation reports and approve Procurement Contracts within his/her delegated authority.
• Guide the preparation of logical detailed and accurate responses to Audit queries on matters relating to the Supply chain operations.
• Ensure that all workflows, processes and systems in place are relevant, cost effective and ultimately promote continuous improvement in the quality and delivery of services.
• Lead change and improvement for Supply Chain operations.

Safety and Security:

• In collaboration with African Union Commission, develop high-quality, best-practice safety and security policies, standards and operations including the appropriate degree of standardisation;
• Support the implementation and monitor compliance with safety and security policies, standards and operational procedures;
• Monitor and report on compliance with safety and security policies, practices, and procedures;
• Serves as a member of the AU security working-group and other senior-level forums;
• Prepare and publish an internal framework for accountability documenting individual roles, responsibilities and accountabilities related to safety and security for the AfCFTA Secretariat Safety and Security Services;
• Ensure effective risk mitigation through the establishment of a coordinated safety and security threat/hazard and risk mechanism within the framework of a common, system-wide methodology;
• Ensure that all AfCFTA Secretariat’s Safety and Security Services personnel are aware of security training requirements and facilitates the provision of such training programmes and briefings; and
• Liaise and coordinate with the security services of the host country and other stakeholders.

Human Resources Management:

• Lead on the planning, coordination, administration and evaluation of the human resources functions of the AfCFTA Secretariat;
• Establish and ensure the effective implementation and reviews of plans, systems, policies and processes for human resources planning, talent acquisition, management and development, employee engagement, legal compliance, employee relations, compensation and benefits; and payroll;
• Monitor, revise, and lead in institutionalizing Human Resources policies, philosophy, values and practices that embrace and drive the Commission’s core values and objectives;
• Develop, implement and evaluate a HR and Talent Management Strategies to ensure the AfCFTA is equipped with staff needed for the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement;
• Establish mechanisms to implement strategies that will enforce departmental accountabilities around recruitment and staffing, employment processing, compensation, health benefits, training and development, records management, employee relations and retention within the AfCFTA;
• Lead the effective and efficient administration of the performance management process, making sure that the organization’s managers are equipped to engage in constructive and continuous feedback and coaching, and encourage staff to actively participate in identifying and addressing performance gaps;
• Maintain current knowledge and application of the AU staff regulations and rules (SRR) and ensure AfCFTA compliance. This includes guiding and advising directors, managers and staff on legal matters and ensure alignment of HR initiatives and practices to SRR;
• Develop a comprehensive Human Resource planning system aligned with the program planning and budgeting cycles, and oversee the provision of support to other Departments’ Human Resource planning, resourcing and deployment;
• Conduct Human Resource risks analysis and make recommendations to the Secretary General and senior management team of the Secretariat;
• Deliver a continuous successful change management process that responds to changing delivery expectations on the Secretariat;
• Manage relations with the staff representatives and promote good employee relations through dialogue, consultation and continuous staff engagement on Human Resources issues;
• Co-ordinate diagnostic surveys, Human Resource audits, stakeholder and employee surveys as needed in order to monitor and evaluate organizational culture and climate;
• Oversee and participate in recruitment of staff consistent with the diversity of the Secretariat’s membership, operational needs and priorities;
• Monitor, manage and explore ways of reducing the cost of recruitment, practices and procedures and identify areas for specific improvement;
• In collaboration with the HR Director’s Office, AUC Office of Legal Counsel, ensure that Human Resources policies and management is consistent with international administrative law requirements;
• Manage relations with partners and external Human Resource service providers, etc;
• Supervise HR line management responsibilities performed under the direct supervision; and
• Performs any other related duties as my be assigned by the supervisor or the Secretary-General.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Public Management or Administration, Law, Industrial Relations, Corporate Management or other related Social Sciences with 12 years progressive responsible experience in managing Human Resources and Administration functions out of which 7 at managerial level and 5 years at supervisory level.
• Professional certification in Human Resources from a recognized institution is an added value.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated ability in promoting self-development, innovation and high performance;
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in applying HR management principles and practices, talent acquisition and change management;
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in salary and benefits development and reviews;
•  Demonstrated experience maintaining, with empathy, an appropriate balance between the organization’s needs and the welfare of staff;
• Demonstrated experience in solving people-related issues effectively;
• Demonstrated experience in data retrieval and analysis;
• Demonstrated experience in delivering briefings to diverse audiences, and to conduct effective meetings with senior management, representative of staff associations, representatives of Member States and other stakeholders;
• A demonstrated knowledge and use of HRIS;
• A demonstrated ability to initiate and promote open communication and collaborative approaches between geographically and culturally disparate partners;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally;
• Ability to develop and delegate clear program goals, plans and actions, including budgets, that are consistent with agreed strategies;
• Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff; and
•  Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

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

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationship
• Effective Communication
• Fosters Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Fosters Innovation
• Drive for Results
• Knowledge Sharing

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.

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.

Application Closing Date
31st May, 2021.