Job Vacancies at the African Union

Requisition ID: 1426
Location:  Maseru, Lesotho
Reports to: Senior Legal Officer
Directorate / Department: Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development
Division: African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P2
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Purpose of Job

• The ACERWC is a human rights organ of the AU with the mandate to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children in Africa.
• The Committee was established by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), by virtue of Article 32 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (The African Children’s Charter) to monitor the implementation of the Charter.
• In view of the above background, the AU invites qualified and competent applicants who are citizens of Member States of the African Union with relevant skills, competencies and experiences to submit their applications for the position of Legal Researchers at the Secretariat of the ACERWC based in Maseru, the Kingdom of Lesotho.
• The Legal Researcher shall provide support in the timely production of the ACERWC’s documents under its promotion and protection mandate.

Main Functions

• Provide technical support in the following up of activities of the unit of assignment and in area of expertise, including monitoring and evaluating progress made of planned activities in line with a predefined work plan.
• Suggest new and expand on existing policy in area of expertise.
• Contribute in conducting analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the respective Unit/Division and AU’s internal use.
• Assist in setting the overall research direction of a relevant policy area.
• Responsible for the delegation and execution of defined research areas.
• Participate in providing required technical support during organisation of meetings, congresses and conferences with stakeholders.
• Engage with relevant stakeholders and develop working relationships.
• Assist in drafting reports and participate in the preparation of budget and work programmes related to the area of intervention
• Provide technical support to internal and external stakeholders as required.

Specific Responsibilities

• Prepare the various documents for the State Party Reporting mechanisms before the ACERWC including developing the list of issues, concluding observations;
• Prepare the relevant documents around the complementary reports submitted by Civil Society Organizations.
• Prepare the documents around the Communication mandate of the Committee;
• Prepare summary of facts, draft decisions and legal briefs and present before the ACERWC;
• Undertake extensive legal research into issues raised in the various communications;
• Produce periodic research reports on issues related to the Committee’s promotional mandate including specific thematic research and progress reports on the implementation of the ACRWC and various policy instruments and decisions on the rights of children;  
• Assist the Secretariat in drafting General Comments of the ACERWC on selected provisions of the Charter;
• Collect decisions of child rights cases from domestic jurisdictions which can be regularly fed into the case law database;
• Performs any other related duties as requested by supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Bachelor Degree in Law, Human Rights or other human rights related studies with five (5) years of relevant work experience. Supervisory will be an added advantage. OR
• A Master’s Degree in Law, Human Rights or other human rights related studies, with at least two (2) years of relevant work experience as indicated above
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the African human rights instruments and institutions
• Relevant experience working on child rights issues in Africa
• Relevant exposure to the work of the ACERWC and the African Human Rights System will be a preferred advantage.
• Previous experience with a human rights organization, especially a child rights organization, at a regional, continental or international level, will be an added advantage.

Required Skills:

• Strong analytical skills and ability to prepare legal opinions.
• Excellent drafting skills
• Ability to liaise with a diverse range of people and stakeholders;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to organize and work under pressure in a multi-cultural environment.
• Good communication and planning skills and excellent knowledge of international organizations.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment;
• Ability to work independently to meet critical and competing deadlines (multi-tasking), to produce high quality work in short timeframes;
• Applicants must be proficient in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese or Spanish). Knowledge of one more or several other working languages would be an added 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 Results
• Continuous Improvement Focus.

Tenure of Appointment

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables.

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
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of USD88,381.02 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and USD70,805.71  inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

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Requisition ID: 1421
Location:  Maseru, Lesotho
Reports to: Executive Secretary
Directorate / Department: Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development
Division: African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)
Number of Direct Reports: 1
Number of Indirect Reports: 1
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Purpose of Job

• The Senior Child Rights Protection Officer shall provide Child Protection technical support to ACERWC Secretariat and facilitate the implementation of its programme activities.

Main Functions

• Prepare and develop reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Division;
• Provide support to develop resource mobilization strategy with stakeholders’ coordination;
• Manage and supervise direct reports to ensure their effective performance as per organization’s performance management policy and system;
• Conduct complex analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the Division and AU’s internal use;
• Liaise with the various Departments/Units of the ACERWC for coordination and alignment purposes;
• Prepare budgets for the Division in accordance with relevant frameworks. Support the promotion of the activities of the Division including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets as may be required;
• Actively contribute in the development of strategies, policies, programmes and plans.

Specific Responsibilities

• Design strategies and policies consistent with the Department’s goal to address the pertinent issues in the relevant area.
• Prepare the various documents around the State Party Reporting mechanisms before the ACERWC including developing the list of issues, concluding observations;
• Follow up the implementation of the concluding observations and recommendations in the respective countries.
• Organize the various advocacy/lobbying missions regarding submissions State Party Reports on the implementation of the African Children’s Charter;
• Prepare the relevant documents around the complementary reports submitted by Civil Society Organizations.
• Assist the Secretariat in receiving complaints and determining whether they meet the requirements as prescribed in the African Children’s Charter and the Revised Guidelines on Consideration of Communications by the ACERWC.
• Prepare summary of facts and legal briefs and present them before the ACERWC.
• Undertake extensive legal research into the legal issues raised in the various communications.
• Assist the Committee in drafting admissibility ruling, recommendations, summaries, and legal briefs on Communications for consideration by the Committee.
• Organize on site investigation and follow up missions in the concerned State Parties as directed by the ACERWC.
• Assist the Secretariat to produce periodic research reports on issues related to the Committee’s promotional mandate including specific thematic research and progress reports on the implementation of the ACRWC and various policy instruments and decisions on the rights of children;
• Assist the Secretariat in drafting General Comments of the ACERWC on selected provisions of the Charter
• Collect decisions of child rights cases from domestic jurisdictions which can be regularly fed into the case law database;
• Assist the Committee in monitoring and analysing legal and political developments in Africa relating to Children’s Rights; provide regular feedback and updates on the situation of child rights in Africa;
• Follow up the applications of Observers Status received by the Secretariat.
• Monitor and follow up on the implementation of the Decisions on the AU Policy Organs and other AU organs related to children rights.
• Assist in the preparation and organization of the Committee meetings as well as activities or all meetings involving the Committee; cover the sessions and meetings of the Committee and prepare the reports
• Assist the activities of Special Mechanisms within the ACERWC
• Assist in implementing activities which aims at preventing violations and abuse of children’s rights; and in line with the Committee’s Communication/Complaint and investigation mandate works towards ensuring accountability and providing redress for actual violation of children’s rights in Africa.
• Prepare the various documents around the State Party Reporting mechanisms before the ACERWC including developing the list of issues, concluding observations.
•  follow up on the implementation of the concluding observations and recommendations in the respective countries.
• Organize on site investigation and follow up missions in the concerned State Parties as directed by the ACERWC.
• Assist the implementation of the Decisions on the AU Policy Organs and other AU organs related to children rights.
• Work towards the existence of an enhanced collaboration between the ACERWC and other AU Organs with a mandate on human rights including the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
• To perform any child protection related activities as may be assigned by the Secretariat or the ACERWC.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Master’s Degree in Human Rights Law, Social Work, Child Protection, or International Law. At least ten eight (8) years of relevant professional experience of which three (3) years should be at supervisory level. OR
• A University Bachelor’s Degree in the above-mentioned areas of study, with at least twelve ten (10) years of relevant work experience out of which three (3) years at supervisory levels.
• Previous experience with a human rights organization, especially a child rights organization, at a regional, continental, or international level, will be an added advantage.
• Training in Human Rights, Child Safeguarding and/or Protection is desirable
• Good knowledge of the African System of human rights
• Relevant experience working on child rights issues in Africa
• Relevant exposure to the work of the ACERWC and the African Human Rights System

Required Skills:

• Strong analytical and drafting skills;
• Excellent drafting and report writing skills;
• Good communication, planning and negotiating skills; Personal Abilities
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work autonomously and in a multi- cultural environment;
• Ability to liaise with a diverse range of people and stakeholders;
• Good organizational skills and ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines; and
• Ability to work in team
• Relevant experience working with the African Union particularly on the African Human Rights system is necessary;
• Previous experience with a human rights organization, especially a child rights organization, at a regional, continental or international level, will be an added advantage.
• Relevant experience working on child rights issues in Africa
• Relevant exposure to the work of the ACERWC and the African Human Rights System
• Applicants must be proficient in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese or Spanish). Knowledge of one more or several other working languages would be an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight..
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationships
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence:

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge Sharing;
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Orientation:

Tenure of Appointment

• The appointment shall be for an initial period of one (1) year, the first three (3) months of which shall be on probation. It shall be renewable subject to performance and availability of funds.

Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of USD100,972.49 (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and USD83,397.18 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

go to method of application »

Requisition ID: 1423
Location:  Maseru, Lesotho
Reports to: Executive Secretary
Directorate / Department: Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development
Division: African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)
Number of Direct Reports: 1
Number of Indirect Reports: 1
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Purpose of Job

• The Senior Child Rights Promotion Officer shall provide the technical assistance in the implementation of activities in line with the promotion mandate of the ACERWC.

Main Functions

• Provide support in the preparation and Implement the programmes developed out of the Division’s strategic plan;
• Ensure effective coordination and implementation of Unit’s plans and activities at various levels;
• Liaise with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other relevant stakeholders on relevant matters;
• Prepare and develop reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Division;
• Provide support to develop resource mobilization strategy with stakeholders’ coordination;
• Manage and supervise direct reports to ensure their effective performance as per organization’s performance management policy and system;
• Conduct complex analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the Division and AU’s internal use;
• Liaise with the various Departments/Units of the ACERWC for coordination and alignment purposes;
• Prepare budgets for the Division in accordance with relevant frameworks. Support the promotion of the activities of the Division including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets as may be required;
• Actively contribute in the development of strategies, policies, programmes and plans.

Specific Responsibilities

• Prepare the various documents around the State Party Reporting mechanisms before the ACERWC including developing the list of issues, concluding observations
• Follow up the implementation of the concluding observations and recommendations in the respective countries.
• Organize the various advocacy/lobbying missions regarding submissions State Party Reports on the implementation of the African Children’s Charter;
• Prepare the relevant documents around the complementary reports submitted by Civil Society Organizations
• Assist the Secretariat in receiving complaints and determining whether they meet the requirements as prescribed in the African Children’s Charter and the Revised Guidelines on Consideration of Communications by the ACERWC
• Organize on site investigation and follow up missions in the concerned State Parties as directed by the ACERWC
• Assist the Secretariat to produce periodic research reports on issues related to the Committee’s promotional mandate including specific thematic research and progress reports on the implementation of the ACRWC and various policy instruments and decisions on the rights of children.
• Follow up the applications of Observers Status received by the Secretariat
• Follow up on the implementation of the Decisions on the AU Policy Organs and other AU organs related to children rights
• Prepare and organize the Committee meetings as well as activities or all meetings involving the Committee; cover the sessions and meetings of the Committee and prepare the reports.
• Assist the Secretariat in drafting General Comments of the ACERWC on selected provisions of the Charter
• Enhance collaboration between the ACERWC and other AU Organs with a mandate on human rights including the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
• Participate in seminars, workshops, conferences on issues related to the rights of children as designated by the Secretariat and the ACERWC
• Prepare information materials on the Committee’s programmes and strategies with the authorization of the Secretariat and ACERWC
• Coordinate the activities of Special Mechanisms within the ACERWC
• Assist in advocacy/lobbying missions regarding submissions State Party Reports on the implementation of the African Children’s Charter
• Assist in submission the relevant documents around the complementary reports and briefings submitted by Civil Society Organizations.
• Work towards enhancing the visibility and credibility of the work of the Committee
• Assist ACERWC in improving the efficiency and timeliness of information sharing and documentation to foster the implementation of the Committee’s mandate particularly as it relates to the State party reporting procedures
• Assist in Coordination of a network of national, sub-national and international partners to promote children’s rights and welfare.
• Assist any child promotion related activities as may be assigned by the Secretariat or the ACERWC
• Perform any child promotion related activities as may be assigned by the Secretariat or the ACERWC

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Master’s Degree in Human Rights Law, Social Work, Child Promotion, or any related Social Science fields. At least Seven (7) years of relevant professional experience out of which three (3) years of at supervisory level OR
• A University Bachelor’s Degree in the above-mentioned areas of study, with at least ten (10) years of relevant work experience out of which three (3) years of at supervisory level.
• Previous experience with a human rights organization, especially a child rights organization, at a regional, continental, or international level, will be an added advantage.
• Training in Human Rights, Child Safeguarding and/or Protection is desirable
• Good knowledge of the African System of human rights
• Relevant experience working on child rights issues in Africa
• Relevant exposure to the work of the ACERWC and the African Human Rights System.

Required Skills:

• Strong analytical and drafting skills;
• Excellent drafting and report writing skills;
• Good communication, planning and negotiating skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work autonomously and in a multi- cultural environment;
• Ability to liaise with a diverse range of people and stakeholders;
• Good organizational skills and ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines;
• Ability to work in a team setting
• Relevant experience working with the African Union particularly on the African Human Rights system is necessary;
• Previous experience with a human rights organization, especially a child rights organization, at a regional, continental or international level, will be an added advantage.
• Relevant experience working on child rights issues in Africa is required
• Relevant exposure to the work of the ACERWC and the African Human Rights System will be a preferred advantage
• Very good ability to work with MS-Office applications including MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-PowerPoint etc.
• Applicants must be proficient in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese or Spanish). Knowledge of one more or several other working languages would be an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight..
• Developing Others
• Change Management....
• Managing Risk...

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationships
• Foster Accountability Culture....
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence...

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual thinking
• Job Knowledge Sharing
• Drive for result
• Continuous Improvement Orientation

Tenure of Appointment

• The appointment shall be for an initial period of one (1) year, the first three (3) months of which shall be on probation.
• It shall be renewable subject to performance and availability of funds.

Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of USD100,972.49  (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and USD83,397.18 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

go to method of application »

Requisition ID: 1425
Location:  Maseru, Lesotho
Reports to: Executive Secretary
Directorate / Department: Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development
Division: African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)
Number of Direct Reports: 1
Number of Indirect Reports: 1
Job Grade: P2
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Purpose of Job

• The Program Officer Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) will be responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation, research, and learning framework of the ACERWC Programs.

Main Functions

• Develop a systematic monitoring plan for the ACERWC.
• Identify best practices and monitor effectiveness of the Secretariat’s support to AU.
• Assist in the development of the strategies and business continuity plan and contribute to their implementation.
• Assist in development of guidelines, policies and manuals that can guide programmes, system improvement initiatives and overall decision making by higher management in the respective area of expertise.
• Provide support to the implementation of initiatives related to area of specialization;
• provide necessary training and support to the Secretariat’s units on M&E
• Develop annual evaluation report and present findings.
• Draft high-quality, accurate semi-annual reports in cooperation with project and program staff of the ACERWC.
• Performance Monitoring Plan with relevant data collection systems of the AU
• Assist on the project proposal on the AU system.
• Assist in providing technical guidance on matters relating to system review and implementation project in area of specialization, as required.

Specific Responsibilities

• Establish a coordinated M&E system in line with the ACERWC M&E plan.
• Assist the implementation and monitoring of programmes and activities;
• Analyses child rights and policy issues and suggest strategies and prepare lessons learnt related to monitoring of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the child;
• Ensure all internal M&E activities are consistent with the cooperative cooperation agreement; including
• Prepare high quality project narrative & financial reports as per the periods agreed; produced
• Prepare and submit timely progress reports.
• Track all project outputs, outcomes, and objectives against targets.
• Ensure consistent use of data collection and reporting tools from project staff to monitor data quality and follow-up on issues identified
• Assist on the project proposal on the AU system
• Monitor and report on programmatic and financial risks.
• Ensure timely release of funds and supply and ensure that cash are promptly and correctly liquidated
• Perform any other relevant duty/responsibility assigned
• Performs any other related duties as requested by supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Bachelor Degree in Statistics, Social Science, Public Policy, International Development or other M&E related studies with five (5) years of relevant work experience in implementing M&E activities on international development project. 2 years must be at supervisory level. OR
• A Master’s Degree in Statistics, Social Science, Public Policy, International Development or other M&E related studies, with at least two (2) years of relevant work experience as indicated above
• Demonstrated experience in in social development, project administration, monitoring and evaluation.
• Previous experience with a human rights organization, especially a child rights organization, at a regional, continental, or international level, will be an added advantage.
• Good knowledge of the African System of human rights
• Relevant experience working on child rights issues in Africa
• Relevant exposure to the work of the ACERWC and the African Human Rights System.

Required Skills:

• Ability to work in a multicultural environment;
• Ability to work independently to meet critical and competing deadlines (multi-tasking), to produce high quality work in short timeframes;
• Excellent interpersonal/teamwork skills,
• Must be computer literate with a working knowledge of common computer applications and systems;
• Excellent drafting, reporting, communication and presentation skills.
• Strong program/project management skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent planning and organizing skills
• Ability to liaise with a diverse range of people and stakeholders;
• Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages. Proficiency of two or more of the other working language(s) would be an added value.
• Applicants must be proficient in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese or Spanish). Knowledge of one more or several other working languages would be an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight..
• Developing Others
• Change Management..
• Managing Risk..

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration..
• Accountable and Complies with Rules..
• Learning Orientation..

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 fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables.

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
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of USD88,381.02 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and USD70,805.71  inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.