Head of Interpretation 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 Interpretation Division

Requisition ID: 683
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Grade: P5
Contract Type: Regular
Division: Interpretation
Number of Direct Reports: 39
Organization: African Union Commission – AUC
Directorate: Conference Management and Publications
Reports to: Director, Conference Management and Publications

Purpose of Job

• Directs and manages the daily operations of the Interpretation 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

• Formulate policies and guidelines governing interpretations and work programmes in close consultation with the Director;
• Develop a database of reputable interpreters in AU Member States;
• Organise and coordinate the work of regular, Short Term and freelance interpreters;
• Assess interpreters as well as interpretation equipment technicians and submit to the Director regular reports on the performance and efficiency of interpreters and technicians;
• Analyze interpretation services and procedures quality and develop improvements
• Advise the Director on interpretation equipment acquisition, maintenance and development of database to ensure the availability of adequate interpretation facilities at all times:
• Advise the Director on all matters relating to Interpretation;
• Oversee the overall management of the Division: personnel, budget, performance, quality, discipline etc. in accordance with the relevant rules and procedure in force;
• Ensure that activities of the Division are organized with maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Develop manuals on procedures and best practices
• Undertake any other tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s Degree in Conference Interpretation / Translation, or in a Language related field, with twelve (12) years of progressive responsible experience in interpretation out of which seven (7) years should be at managerial level and five (5) at supervisory level in similar international organizations;
• Experience in facilitating intergovernmental conference processes and multicultural diplomacy is an added advantage

Required Skills:

• A demonstrated knowledge in interpretation equipment/platforms/software
• A demonstrated ability to initiate and promote 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;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work under pressure and in a multicultural environment;
• Strong organizational, managerial and leadership qualities;
• Proficiency in a minimum of two of the AU official working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish) and fluency in a third 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.

Gender Mainstreaming:

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

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
9th August, 2021.