Socio-Economic Officer at African Union Commission

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: SOCIO-ECONOMIC OFFICER

The African Union, established as a unique Pan-African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa's rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia In seeking to achieve this objective; the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver by, among others, the implementation of a new organizational structure and the filling of all vacant posts.

1. POST:

Job Title: Socio-Economic Officer
Grade: P2
Supervisor: Head of Delegation - Brussels
Duty Station: Brussels, Belgium
Department: Office of Chairperson

2. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Economist, the Socio-Economic Officer (Social Issues, Integration & Diaspora) will contribute and provide technical advice for the Permanent Mission’s publications and periodic reports, act as a member of multi-disciplinary teams, contribute to the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of various parts of the Africa-EU partnership. In particular, he/she will:

(a) Provide support to the Permanent Mission for the integration of socio-economic analyses into the policies being discussed at the EU and ACP which affect Africa;
(b) Technically support the Permanent Mission on matters related to the diaspora in Europe;
(c) Technically support the African Group of Ambassadors in Brussels, acting also as Secretariat;
(d) Co-ordinate the meetings of the African Group of Ambassadors and the REC’s, making reports and following up on the outcomes of these meetings;
(e) Attend meetings on behalf of the Mission and make analytical reports and recommendations on the same;
(f) Proactively alert the African Group of Ambassadors and relevant policy structures/organs at AUC Headquarters of Common African policy positions to be taken consistent with Africa’s well-being;
(g) Attend and follow-up on all ACP and EU meetings dealing with social economic matters;
(h) Follow-up and advise the AUC on upcoming socio-economic and political issues being developed and implemented by the EU including the issues dealing with the
Diaspora, Culture, Labor, Education, Health, Migration, Gender, Sports;
(i) Update the Permanent Representative and through him/her the African Group of Ambassadors on above issues and advise on best action to take in Africa’s interest;
(j) Prepare proposals and elaborate on documents on the positions and/or strategies for use by the AUC and the African Group of Ambassadors regarding activities of the AU & ACP;
(k) Identify projects/create proposals for further AUC/EU collaboration on Socio-economic issues;
(l) Undertake political and socio-economic analysis of issues/trends that impact on the development of Diaspora;
(m) Co-ordinate regular meetings between the Permanent Mission and the Diaspora

Organizations to establish a regional network in Europe and work closely with the Diaspora to advance African interests;
Provide support in other areas of work at the Permanent Mission and undertake any other duties as may be assigned by the Permanent Representative.

3. QUALIFICATIONS;

Candidates must possess a University Degree in Economics / Socio economics. A Higher Qualification will be an added advantage.

4. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED;

Candidates must have at least 5 years of professional experience in socio economic issues, working with diaspora organisations, programme drafting and management, working experience with the Africa-EU Partnership, project design, implementation and monitoring with, preferably three years in an international organization.

- Professionalism – proven experience in the socio-economic and diaspora sector, policy formulation and advocacy related to diaspora and other socio economic issues. Show pride in work and in achievements, demonstrates professional competence and be a master of subject matter, is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observers deadlines and achieve results, is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns and is persistent in addressing problems;
- Planning and organizing – Proven ability to plan and organize work within an institutional setting and ability to make timely decisions;
- Communication – Effective written and oral presentation skills, particularly ability to present information in a concise and accurate manner, ability to develop consensus among people with varying points of view;
- Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve the goals, willing to learn from others, support group decisions, even when such decisions may not reflect own position, shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts responsibility for team shortcoming;
- Good judgment and decision making, initiative, resourcefulness, energy and tact with ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve institutional goals.

5. OTHER RELEVANT SKILLS:

- Besides the usual minimum educational qualifications and professional experience expected, the successful candidate should have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the African Agenda 2063, African Common Position on the Post 2015 Development Agenda, as well as the evolution of the Africa-EU Partnership, especially the outcomes of the 4th Africa-EU Summit held on 2-3 April 2014 in Brussels, Belgium.
- The successful candidate should also display sound knowledge on the broad policies of the AU on all areas of responsibility he/she will assume.
- Good knowledge of workings of international organizations;
- Excellent computer literacy
- Capacity to work under pressure and in a multicultural environment.

6. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT:

Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages . Proficiency of two or more in other of one or several other working language(s) would be an added value.

7. TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

The appointment will be made on fixed term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months be consider as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.

8. LEAST REPRESENTATIVE COUNTRIES:

Candidates from the following least represented countries are encouraged to apply: Eretria, Central African Republic, Cape Verde, Comoros, Congo (DRC), Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Mauritania, Namibia, Sahrawi Arab Republic, SaoTome and Principe, Seychelles and Somalia.

9. GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

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

10. REMUNERATION:

Indicative basic salary of US$ 29,287.00 per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 21,196.80 per annum), education allowance (75% of tuition and other education related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$7,800.00 per child per annum), etc for internationally recruited staff of the Commission.

Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website
http://www.aucareers.org not later than 5th November 2014.

Directorate of Administration and Human Resource Management
African Union Commission