Legal Officer - Protection (ACHPR) at African Union(AU)

Purpose of Job

• Provide support to the Senior Legal Officers responsible for protection activities in all the stages involved in complaints handling and provide technical assistance to Commissioners in the execution of their protection mandate

Main Functions

• Complain handling on assigned Communications
• Contributes to the development of policies and strategies 
• Coordinates the implementation of programmes and plans of special mechanism  under the ACHPR 
• Liaise with stakeholders including Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), etc on relevant matters.
• Provides support in the development of special mechanisms Strategies in line with the approved Strategic Plan
• Undertakes monitoring activities and delivers periodic reports on time
• Liaises with the various Departments/Units of the Commission for coordination and alignment purposes 
• Conducts analysis and generates accurate reports in a timely manner for the ACHPR’s internal use
• Assists in setting the overall research direction of a relevant policy area
• Is responsible for the delegation and execution of defined research areas
• Participates in the organisation of relevant meetings, congresses and conferences with stakeholders.
• Drafts reports and participates in the preparation of budget and work programmes related to the Unit
• Provides technical support to internal and external stakeholders.

Specific Responsibilities
Working under the Senior Legal Officer -Protection, provides support in the following areas: 

• Create awareness regarding the Communications procedure;
• Monitor human rights situation in Africa and provide regular feedback and updates on the human rights situation in Africa;
• Undertake research into the legal issues raised in the various communications and the provisions of the Charter;
• Contribute articles to the African Commission's Review and Newsletter;
• Draft resolutions and recommendations on Communications, cover the sessions and meetings of the African Commission and prepare the reports;
• Provides support to the Special Rapporteurs and the Working Groups in discharging their responsibilities, and follow-up on recommendations
• Drafts urgent Appeals, Advisory notes, Guidelines, Information notes, Position/Conference/Meeting papers for the Commissioners
• Provides technical backstopping to Special Mechanisms through research and documentation
• Provides interface with, and logistical support for interaction with Member States, Regional Economic Communities, organs of the AU  and other stakeholders
• Formulates  principles and rules aimed at solving human rights issues arising in the thematic areas covered by the various Special Mechanisms
• Manages requests by member states for information and support
• Contributes to legal or policy analyses and publications
• Promotes the integration of legal work across the regional programs and particularly in the regional offices
• Develops and implements capacity building and training programs
• Contributes to standard-setting, through participating in meetings, drafting work and promoting international standards
• Participates in the organization of relevant meetings, congresses and conferences with stakeholders
• Performs any other relevant duties as may be directed or required.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Must hold Master's Degree in Law from an accredited university with a minimum of two (2) years’ relevant work experience

OR 

• Must hold Bachelor’s Degree in Law from an accredited university with a minimum of five (5) years’ relevant work experience.

Required Skills:

• Analytical skills
• Ability to work across business units / geographies; cultural sensitive environment 
• Proficiency in one of the AU Official working Language is the Requirement  
• Knowledge of any one of the other AU officials working languages will be considered as an advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Change Management.
• Managing Risk.

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration.
• Accountability awareness and Compliance.
• Learning Orientation.
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical thinking and problem solving.
• Job Knowledge and information sharing.
• Drive for result.
• Continuous improvement focus.

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.

Languages:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$  31,073.00 (P2 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment ( 46% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$  15,897.60  (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.