Senior Policy Officer (Energy Information System)

SENIOR POLICY OFFICER (ENERGY INFORMATION SYSTEM)

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 its organizational structure and the filling of all vacant posts.

1. POST:

Post Title: Senior Policy Officer (Energy Information System)
Grade: P3
Supervisor Director/AFREC
Duty Station: Algiers, Algeria
Department: Director Infrastructure and Energy

2. Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the general guidance of the Executive Director, and within delegated authority, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Contribute to the preparation of analytical and policy options reports to the Commission on energy projects and sustainable development pertaining to the work program of the Commission, by:
o preparing scoping analysis and working outlines reports on the Commission’s energy policies as well as on the various thematic clusters under review by the Commission, assessing progress with and obstacles to implementation of intergovernmental commitments, and identifying policy options and practical measures for accelerating progress;
o preparing background materials for the programs and projects, including analytical papers and data sets;
o drafting, as part of a team, various parts of the Commission’s annual reports on energy sectors and sub-sectors and specialized studies;
o working with other team members to consolidate various inputs into cohesive, analytically solid and user-friendly reports for presentation to the Commission on energy policy and sustainable development in Africa.

• Oversees the preparation of a triennial “trends” publication that summarizes in user-friendly format and analyzes major indicators related to the themes under consideration by the Commission during any given three-year cycle, by:
o preparing a detailed outline of the publication;
o coordinating the preparation of maps, charts and other graphics for inclusion in the publication;
o analyzing the data and indicators presented in a concise, non-technical and rigorous manner;
o readying the trends document for publication in a timely manner.

• Facilitate strategy and policy development for the Commission by analyzing emerging issues in energy policies and sustainable development, including so-called cross-cutting issues like resource mobilization (e.g., through innovative financing mechanisms and the use of economic instruments), by:
o keeping abreast of key theoretical and empirical developments in the field of sustainable development, including but not limited to work on markets and other payment mechanisms for ecological services;
o undertaking regular consultations with relevant governmental offices, international organizations, the academic community and other major groups, and participating in key meetings to exchange ideas and information on key energy policy and sustainable development issues and concerns;
o networking with all African functioning bodies such as RECs, RPPs and institutions to seek their views and cooperation in the further development of the work on key emerging issues in sustainable development and related policy implications;
o preparing issues papers and policy briefs for consideration by managerial staff of the Commission to guide strategy and policy formulation.
• Facilitates and coordinates the timely preparation of other substantive reports to the AU and CAMEN, as required; undertakes background research and prepares briefing materials, talking points and speech notes, as requested by the professional members and head of the Commission.
• Provides substantive servicing to the Commission on energy policy and sustainable development.

Competencies:

• Research: Outstanding and proven ability to prepare, present and publish good research, reports and studies at the standard level of international class; Proven published papers, books and articles on energy economics matters especially in Africa; Ability to assess and criticize research quality and make recommendations for amendments.
• Professionalism – Demonstrated technical knowledge of all aspects of energy economics, energy policy and sustainable resources development with proven coordination and analytical skills;
• Leadership – Proven supervisory ability and technical leadership. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as both a team member and a team leader;
• Planning and Organization – Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate, implement and review own work plan and those under supervision;
• Client Orientation – Ability to identify clients’ needs and develop appropriate solutions. Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients;
• Teamwork – Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for gender and diversity;
• Communication – Proven ability to write and speak concisely and clearly and communicate effectively. Ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations on key issues by formulating positions, articulating options concisely, and making and defending recommendations.

3. Qualifications and Experience Required:
A minimum Master’s University Degree or equivalent in economics or business administration.

Professional experience required:

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in energy economics, energy policy and sustainable development, or related fields, including in policy analysis and/or policy formulation, at least 3 years of which should be at the international level.
• Experience in leading a research team in the preparation of reports for policy makers is required. Strong background in development economics is required. Strong experience in substantive servicing of intergovernmental bodies is also desirable.

4. Other Relevant Skills:

• Proficiency in computer applications including use of the Internet, word processing, and spreadsheet packages.
• Familiarity with database management, econometric and statistical methods and packages a plus; Familiarity with intergovernmental negotiations on energy policy and sustainable development issues desirable.
• Ability to lead a team in interdisciplinary effort as well as management and organizational skills are essential.

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

6. 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 as probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.

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

8. Remuneration:
Indicative basic salary of US$ 35,300.00 per annum (P3 Step1) plus other related entitlements e.g. Post Adjustment (48% of basic salary), Housing allowance (US$ 17,222.40 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.

9. 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.

10. Application:
Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website http://www.aucareers.org not later than 30 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