Directorate – Woman, Gender and Youth 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.

The Court invites applications from citizens of African Union Member States for the position below:

Job Title: Directorate – Woman, Gender and Youth

Requisition ID: 274
Location: Addis – Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Chairperson of the Commission
Directorate:  Women, Gender and Youth
Number of Direct Reports: 3
Number of Indirect Reports : 24
Job Grade: D1

Purpose of Job

• To provide strategic direction and leadership in managing the operations of the Women, Gender and Youth Development Directorate in order to achieve the AU strategic objectives and goals

Main Functions

• Develops and executes the overall strategy for the Directorate and ensures alignment with overall organizational strategy;
• Manages and supervises employees within the Directorate, ensures the timely delivery of the directorate’s goals and effective staff performance evaluation;
• Drives the implementation and monitoring of policies, strategies and programs to contribute to the effective implementation of relevant AU Policy Organs Decisions;
• Ensures the delivery of the Directorate’s annual targets in line with the organization’s overall goals and maintains robust Directorate monitoring and evaluation systems;
• Provides technical leadership and ensures efficient functioning of all Divisions within the directorate;
• Manages the work of the Directorate and supervises direct reports to ensure their effective performance in line with the organization’s performance management policy and system;
• Leads the Directorate and ensures effective management of personnel, budget, performance, program quality, employee relations matters and training in conformity with relevant rules, policies and procedures;
• Builds and maintains good working relations and collaboration with other directorates/departments;
• Develops and maintains regular working relations with senior stakeholders in Member State and partner institution;
• Coordinates meetings between the organization and relevant partners;
• Ensures the preparation of periodic financial and budget execution reports and other reports;
• Ensures the effective management of funds attributed to the directorate;
• Implements and Maintains thematic partnerships in support of the mandate of the Directorate;
• Develops and oversees policy development and guidelines in line with the organization’s legal framework;
• Designs policies consistent with the AU’s strategic goals and mandate in order to address the pertinent issues in the relevant area;
• Prepares and oversees integrated programs, projects and overall activities of the organization.
• Maintains a positive work environment that facilitates collaboration and information sharing and is conducive to attracting, retaining, and motivating diverse talent.
• Develops and maintains standard operating procedures (SOP’s) for the Directorate
• Manages risks, develops mitigation measures and ensures business continuity of the Directorate .

Specific Responsibilities

• To advise the Chairperson on policy and strategy matters on gender equality, women and youth empowerment and development and to assist the Deputy-Chairperson and all the Commissioners in ensuring the integration of a gender and youth perspectives into the policies, programmes, structures, activities of the Commission, AU Organs, Specialised Agencies, RECS, Member States and  entire African Union;
• To coordinate the AU work on gender equality, women and youth empowerment and development with all other relevant entities in the African Union system and with technical partners to ensure that their activities support the key results envisaged in the AUC Gender and Youth Agendas
• To facilitate effective dialogue on continental and global policy issues related to gender equality, women and youth empowerment and development and provide leadership on new policy direction
• To prepare, organise, coordinate and ensure the effective implementation of policies, programmes, plans of action and activities of the Directorate;
• To develop and maintain appropriate working relations with partners of the African Union, in the field of gender equality, women and youth empowerment and development;
• As a  member of the Senior Management Group, the Director is a strategic institutional partner, policy advisor, employee advocate and a supporter of change management and performance improvement
• To promote best practices and appropriate working systems;
• To produce and submit periodic reports of activities and specific missions.
• Any other related assignments as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s degree in Political or Social sciences, Law, Gender, Development Studies or  International Relations
• 15 years of experience with 8 years at managerial level and 5 years at a supervisory level.
• Relevant experience in gender and youth affairs in the African continent is a requirement
• Deep understanding of Pan-Africanism and the role of women and youth in the African development agenda is a necessity
• Experience in working at a high-level in a multi-lateral and multi-cultural environment is desirable

Required Skills:

• Ability to use strong managerial delegation, political tact and supervisory skills to achieve documented objectives
• Ability to work effectively with people from various backgrounds and create an environment where diversity is respected
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with top level stakeholders
• Ability to identify key strategic opportunities and risks
• Ability to actively seek, identify and apply appropriate technology to improve programme delivery
• Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority with regard to performance management and professional development
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish) fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Perspective
• Developing Others
• Driving Change
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationships
• Responsibility
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking and Problem Solving
• Job Knowledge
• Drive for Results
• Innovation and taking initiative

Tenure of  the 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$ 78,138.00 (D1 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.