Director of Citizens and Diaspora Organizations Directorate (CIDO), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Closing date: Sunday, 5 April 2015

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: DIRECTOR, CITIZENS AND DIASPORA ORGANIZATIONS DIRECTORATE (CIDO)

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 are located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.

In seeking to achieve these objectives, the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver, by amongst others, the implementation of its organizational structure and the filling of all vacant posts.

The Commission of the African Union invites applications from nationals of its Member States for the position of Director of Citizens and Diapora Directorate in the Bureau of the Chairperson.

1. Post

Job Title: Director of Citizens and Diaspora Organizations Directorate (CIDO)

Post Level: D1

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Supervisor: H.E. the Chairperson, African Union Commission

2. Job purpose

Reporting to the Chairperson of the Commission, the Director of the Citizens and Diaspora Organizations Directorate (CIDO) is the principal adviser to the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson and all the Commissioners on mainstreaming the participation of non-state actors in civil society affairs of the Union.

The Director is a member of the Senior Management Group, in the capacity of a strategic institutional partner, policy advisor, and a supporter of change management and performance improvement. The Director also participates in the deliberations Policy Organs, the Commission and other governing bodies as required. The mandate of the Directorate is to manage and coordinate AU engagement with the wider African society and to establish a 'people-oriented' African community predicated on popular participation and partnership with all segments of civil society, in particular, youth, women and the private sector in order to strengthen solidarity and cohesion among African people and to serve as a vehicle for achieving this objective.. Accordingly, it solicits and locates civil society and Diaspora activities and concerns in the wider AU policy frameworks, galvanizes them in development and support of AU activities, integrates them in policy programmes and advocacy efforts and associates them with decision-making processes. The Department is considered an integral part of the AU policy decision making process and its commitment to the concrete involvement of Civil Society and Diaspora groups in the enterprise. The crucial role of CIDO is therefore to advocate, coordinate, harmonize and monitor the process of implementing the AU's integrated vision for Africa with the commitment to address civil society integration challenges and opportunities.

3. Major duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of H.E. the Chairperson, the responsibilities and duties of the incumbent shall include the following:

• Coordinating the ECOSOCC secretariat to facilitate its role as a driver for integration and socio-economic development, and as a platform to directly influence AU decision-making process and institutions.
• Effective mainstreaming of civil society participation in the African Union;
• Strengthening the operational capacity of the African Union Commission to accommodate and support civil society involvement in the affairs of the African Union;
• Provide an enabling environment for civil society organizations and networks to support the process of integration in Africa;
• provide an enhanced role for the effective involvement of the African Diaspora in the affairs of the continental organization;
• promote relations with the African Diaspora in order to ensure their positive and sustained contribution processes of national development in Member States and the attainment of wider AU goals and objectives;
• Act as a focal point and plan and support activities related to civil society and Diaspora involvement in the activities of the African Union;
• Seek and expand cooperation with various organizations and institutions in Africa and outside in support of these objectives;
• Initiate action and participate in activities to raise extra-budgetary fund for this purpose;
• Enhance the processes of popular participation in development and deepen democracy and the processes of good governance in Africa;
• Serve as a policy development forum that would enable productive interface among all segments of the African community and the elaboration and advancement of common values and goals;

4. Competencies

Professional and Management Capabilities

Leadership

• Uses strong managerial and supervisory skills to achieve documented objectives.
• Engages in effective delegation and follow up to ensure results.
• Uses tact and political savvy in negotiating.
• Makes informed decisions and communicates decisions effectively.
• Demonstrates flexibility and willingness to collaborate with others to achieve outcomes.
• Utilizes strong analytical and problem solving skills.

Respect for Diversity

• Works effectively with people from various backgrounds.
• Treats all people with dignity and respect. Treats men and women equally.
• Shows respect and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates it in decision-making.
• Examines own biases and behaviors to avoid stereotypical responses and does not discriminate against any individual or group.
• Creates an environment where respect for diversity is embedded in behaviors, systems and processes.

Working with Others

• Collaborates effectively with top level stakeholders i.e. the Commission and Senior Management Group. Able to persuade, guide and advise top level stakeholders.
• Able to effectively collaborate with stakeholders and partners.
• Leads discussions and negotiations on behalf of the Commission on financial and budgetary issues.
• Creates a culture where knowledge sharing and effective collaboration is encouraged.

Vision and Strategic Thinking

• Identifies key strategic issues, opportunities and risks.
• Clearly communicate links between the organization's strategy and the Directorate's goals.
• Establish/identify and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction.
• Identifies clients' needs and appropriate solutions.
• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships.

Communication

• Communicates orally with strong interpersonal skills;
• Manages both internal and external stakeholders relations by listening and value the inputs from others;
• Openness in sharing information and keeping others informed ;
• Expresses ideas and formulates plans by means of clear and effective writing and oral presentations;
• Drafts conceptual and detailed reports/papers and reviews/edits the work of others;
• Prepares rationale with respect to key financial, legal and administrative decisions; and
• Negotiates effectively.

Teamwork

• Leads and gains the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor;
• Builds trust through integrity, transparency and creating an open and positive environment;
• Fosters harmonious and effective teamwork in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Trains, mentors and delegates;

Strategic

• Problem identification and solutions
• Assessing risks and decision making
• Think clearly and analytically

Diversity Management

• Performs and relates effectively across organizational boundaries in a diverse multi- national and multicultural setting.

Technology awareness

• Keeps abreast of available technology and understands its applicability to the work of the Organization
• Actively seeks, identifies and applies appropriate technology to improve programme delivery.

Performance management

• Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority.
• Establishes clear roles and reporting lines for staff.
• Monitors progress against establish milestones
• Discusses performance and provide feedback and appraise performance fairly.
• Drives results and excellence; and
• Evaluates employees and performance as well as advising and disciplining.

5. Educational Qualifications

Candidates must have at least a Master's Degree in Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, Education, Sociology and Anthropology. Master in Engineering or Sciences with relevant apprehension and experience in the field of social integration, diplomacy and international negotiations may also be considered. Experience in any of the thematic areas of CIDO will be an added advantage.

6. Work experience

Candidates must have at least 15 years of progressively relevant working experience in the area of civil society participation, diaspora, gender, integration, education, international negotiation and capacity building of which at least 10 years should be at senior management level. Experience in International working environment is mandatory.

7. Other relevant skills

• Integration Leadership
• Expertise on social, political and economic issues
• Excellent drafting and reporting skills;
• Strong communication and reporting skills with internal and external stakeholders
• Good planning and organizational skills;
• Excellent negotiation skills
• High Professional Ethics
• Must be computer literate.

8. Language requirement Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (English, French, Arabic and Portuguese) is a must. Knowledge of one or all of the other working languages would be an added advantage.

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

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

11. Remuneration Indicative basic salary of US $70,139.00 per annum (D1 Step1) plus other related entitlements e.g. Post Adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance ($16,819.20 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 for internationally recruited staff and other allowances in accordance to the African Union Staff Regulations and Rules governing the employment of International Civil Servants of the Union.

12. 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.

13. Application Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website http://www.aucareers.org not later than 05 April 2015.

Directorate of Administration and Human Resources Management African Union Commission Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) P.O. Box 3243 Fax: 00251-11-5525840/5510430 E-mail: au-recruits@africa-union.org