Director of Centres for Public Health Emergency Management (AfCDC) at African Union(AU)

Purpose of Job

• The Director of Centres for Public Health Emergency Management is responsible for leading and strategically managing the Centres, aligning with the overarching goals of the Africa CDC.
• This includes strategic planning, program development, emergency response coordination, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• The individual in this role plays a crucial part in ensuring the center's preparedness and effectiveness in managing public health emergencies.

Main Functions

• Develop and implement strategic policies aligned with the department's goals to address key issues in disease control, prevention, and health promotion.
• Design comprehensive policy programs to effectively achieve strategic objectives.
• Contribute to the development and ensure the implementation of the departmental business continuity plan at the division level.
• Oversee and supervise employees within the division, fostering a productive and collaborative work environment.
• Manage divisional risk and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to the creation of an inspiring work environment conducive to staff development and professional progression.
• Engage with stakeholders within Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the design and implementation of strategies.
• Represent the organization at conferences and other public forums, articulating its position and fostering partnerships.
• Mobilize funding from donors to execute strategies and activities effectively.
• Oversee the preparation of periodic financial and budget execution reports, monitoring budget execution at the divisional level.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in shaping policies and strategies related to public health emergency management.
• Design, implement, and evaluate programs aimed at enhancing public health emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to develop and update protocols for different types of emergencies.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for public health emergencies, coordinating responses and ensuring effective communication among relevant stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national emergency response agencies.
• Manage the center's budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and resource allocation for emergency preparedness initiatives.
• Identify and secure funding opportunities through grants, partnerships, and other means.
• Oversee the development and delivery of training programs for staff, healthcare professionals, and community partners to enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
• Collaborate with public health agencies, government entities, healthcare organizations, and community groups to foster a coordinated and effective response to public health emergencies.
• Communicate effectively with the media, public, and other stakeholders during emergencies.
• Engage with stakeholders within Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the design and implementation of strategies.
• Oversee the preparation of periodic financial and budget execution reports, monitoring budget execution at the divisional level.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Advanced Degree (Ph.D., MD, or equivalent) in Public Health, Medical Sciences or equivalent.
• Master's Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology or equivalent with a minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience in public health management. Eight (8) of which should have been served at managerial level and five (5) years at supervisory level.
• Proven track record in leadership roles within public health or scientific research organizations.
• Experience in international organizations is preferred.

Essential:
Academic and Experience Requirements:

• Significant experience of developing senior-level external relationships and securing the highest-level advocacy, including developing and harnessing strong networks across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Advance understanding of stakeholder engagement.
• Extensive experience of leading, motivating and managing teams with the ability to promote a culture of high performance, continuous improvement and innovation.
• Experience and successful track record working in a diverse complex fast paced environments and the ability to influence positive change.
• Strong leadership and strategic management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Proficient in risk management and organizational resilience.
• Demonstrated capability in resource mobilization and financial management.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse, multi-cultural environment.

Desirable:

• Experience of working in international affairs in an international organization
• Experience of working with external partners, funders, and media.
• An understanding of changing economic, political, and social environments affecting the Africa CDC.
• An understanding and analysis of Africa and global political space and atmosphere
• High level of diplomatic and communication etiquette.
• High level interpersonal skills.

Required Skills:
Result Oriented:

• Strategic thinker, capable of working at a senior level and contributing at Board/Council level
• Entrepreneurial with the ability to input on strategic planning from a commercial standpoint
• Ability to anticipate future opportunities and problems, taking strategic and pre-emptive action
• Ability to set and achieve comprehensive goals for performance and growth
• Passion for working in the developing world and creating positive change

Leadership:

• Inspire confidence and promote shared values that underpin the ethos of the African Union and Africa CDC
• Inspires others, is visible, adaptive, authentic and engenders trust
• Visible leadership, promoting collective leadership for taking teams through significant programmes of change.
• Passion and commitment for continuous improvement
• Ambitious individual who has personal drive to succeed and develop their own career, and support their teams to strive for excellence.
• Political and diplomatic prowess
• Building and Managing Teams:
• Directs and coaches’ others throughout the organisation and enables people to perform at their best.
• Ability to recognise and cultivate rising talent.
• Creates a positive team environment.
• Creates cohesion, developing synergies and achieves through common goals.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• High emotional and social intelligence.
• Collaborative, supportive, calm under pressure, solution focused and able to lead others effectively in such a way that encourages maximum performance and engagement.
• Exceptional communicator both in writing and in person to a range of audiences.

Relationship Management:

• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and negotiate with a wide range of stakeholders and partners.
• The gravitas and credibility to influence both within and beyond the organisation

Analytical Skills:

• Conceptual thinker, innovative and capable of complex problem solving
• The ability to work well under pressure and take a considered, measured position

Results Orientated:

• Desire for success and the motivation to constantly seek improvement
• Ability and drive to manage organisational complexity
• A high level of resilience with the ability to initiate and drive decisions
• Tenacious, adaptable and the ability to get things done
• The highest levels of self-awareness, commitment, and integrity
• A proven commitment to fairness, inclusion, equality, diversity, and transparency

Values: A strong commitment to the African Union and Africa CDC values:
Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Perspective:
• Developing others ....
• Change Management:
• Managing Risk....

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationship ....
• Communicating with Influence ....
• Foster Accountability Culture:
• Learning Orientation

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Drive for Result
• Fosters Innovation
• Job Knowledge and information sharing.