Head of Division, Information Society 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 Division, Information Society

Requisition ID: 704
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Organization: African Union Commission – AUC
Reports to: Director, Infrastructure and Energy
Directorate/Department : Infrastructure and Energy
Division: Information Society
Number of Direct Reports: 6
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P5
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• Directs and manages the daily operations of the Information Society 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

• Designs appropriate policies, strategies and programs for the development of Communication and Information Technologies (CIT) in Africa: including ICT, Telecommunications, Radio- Communication, Spectrum, Broadcasting Technologies, Postal Services and Domain Name Systems;
• Promotes and supports Digitalization and Digital Transformations in/of the continent by mainstreaming and integrating ICT for wide use within all socio-development sectors specifically, in Education, Health, Agriculture, Trade, Economy, Environment and Government services;
• Develops and Promoting cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection culture, strategies and Programs at the national, regional and Continental levels;
• Elaborates, coordinate and supports implementation of strategies and programs for the harmonization of CIT policies and regulatory frameworks and Programs in Africa;
• Coordinates and facilitates effective harmonization of the CIT and technological activities at sub-regional and regional levels, in collaboration with RECs and Specialized institutions (SI) within Agenda 2063 and NEPAD strategic visions;
• Promotes the development of Internet, African Domain Name Systems, African Digital platforms and African Internet Exchange Systems;
• Coordinates and follows-up the working relationship between the AU and other partners in the fields, like UN agencies, NGOs, other regional centers, etc.;
• Increases awareness among Member States on the issue of ICT and work towards harmonization of ICT policies among Member States;
• Pays attention to the issue of traditional technologies through seminars, workshops and training programs;
• Manages Human and financial resources of the Division including budget preparation and staff appraisals;
• Prepares and Organizes meetings of the Sectoral Specialized Technical Committee(STC) and it its subcommittees and working Groups;
• Sets Monitoring Evaluation Systems for the implementation of Policies, Regulatory frameworks and program of the sector;
• Sets coordination mechanism with RECs, Specialized Institutions and other AUC departments on issues of the sector.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Master’s Degree in Telecommunications/ICT, Computer Science, Information Technologies or related fields with twelve (12) years of relevant work experience of which seven (7) years at managerial level and five (5) years at supervisory level.

Required Skills:

• Leadership and management skills
• Communication, report writing and presentation skills
• Research and analytical skills
• Interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Ability to work in teams and in a multi-cultural environment
• Knowledge in international educational reforms and strategies
• Knowledge and working understanding of AU policies, systems and standards
• Planning, Budgeting and Organization skills.
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages; fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

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

Core Competencies:

• Building relationships
• 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.

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
13th August, 2021.