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 of Ethiopia.
In seeking to achieve the
above objectives, the African Union seeks to fill the vacant position of the
Climate Change and Desertification Unit in the Directorate of Rural Economy and
Agriculture to strengthen its capacity to deliver by, among others, the
implementation of a new organizational structure and the filling of all vacant
posts.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Climate change is having
adverse effects in Africa ranging from declining water resources, reduced
agricultural productivity, spread of vector-borne diseases to new areas, drop
in fish population and increased flooding and heavier rainfall among others. Climate variability lies behind much prevailing poverty,
food insecurity, and weak economic growth in
Africa. The official goals of the climate change convention
“are to stabilize the amount
of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level that prevents dangerous
man-made climate changes. Climate Change and Development was the sub – theme of
the January 2007 Summit held in Addis Ababa. Following the Summit
deliberations, the Commission became increasingly involved in the global
climate change talks and negotiations considering the vital stakes Africa has
in these dialogues; the Commission continues to steer efforts of AU Member
States and Regional Economic Communities as well as other stakeholders in
dealing with multiple challenges including climate change by engaging both
regional and global partners in promoting and defending the continent’s
interest.
A landmark Summit Decision
was adopted in January 2009, which mandated the AU Commission among other
things to facilitate the building of a common Africa Position in preparations
for the Fifteenth Conference of Parties (COP15) in Denmark, Copenhagen in
December 2009. Subsequently, the July 2009 Summit in Sirte, Libya adopted the
recommendation of the decision of thee Executive Committee EX.CL/Dec.500 (XV)
Rev. 1 on the establishment of the Climate Change and Desertification Control
Unit in the Directorate of Rural Economy and Agriculture.
1.
Post
Post title: Coordinator, Climate Change and
Desertification Unit
Post level: P4
Immediate
Supervisor: Head
of Division, Environment
and
Natural Resources
2.
Major duties and responsibilities
Specifically, the Job
holder shall perform the following tasks:
·
Responsible for overall management of the
activities of the Climate Change and Desertification Control Unit;
·
Coordinate the development and supervise
plans of action and work programmes for the Unit;
·
Preparation of reports, budget and work
programmes related to the functioning of the Unit, in consultation with the
Head of Division of the Environment and Natural Resources;
·
Liaises with Member States, RECs, and
relevant Stakeholders including International Organizations, Development
Partners on issues of climate change and desertification control;
·
Serves as Focal Point of the Commission on
all issues relating to the climate change and desertification control;
·
Undertakes all such work and duties as may be
necessary for the effective execution of the functions and objectives of the
Unit within the framework of the mandate of the Commission in the
implementation of issues on climate change and desertification
·
Organize and coordinate the implementation of
action plans, decisions of the Summit on climate change;
·
Ensure Policy harmonization on climate change
and desertification control and various positions on key issues under negotiations
in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) processes;
·
Coordination of various efforts on climate
change and desertification, ensuring linkages and synergies with
complementarities of different initiatives, sectors and collaborations;
·
Ensure effective coordination and
implementation at continental and regional levels;
·
Ensure the development of a Resource
Mobilization Strategy with donor coordination for Climate Change and
Desertification Control Programmes;
·
Ensure networking and facilitation of peer
reviews, information sharing and exchange;
·
Promote studies and researches on local
indigenized technologies on mitigation and adaptation measures to climate
change and desertification control in Africa including increased participation
of Africa Member States in global carbon market as well as foster collaboration
among Member States to combat drought and desertification;
·
Ensure better coordination with other
Regional and United Nations conventions;
·
Promote publication of simplified guidelines
and fact sheets on the scientific, political and economic aspects of climate
change and desertification control in Africa.
·
Support production and submission of periodic
reports of activities of the Unit;
·
Support the Commission in its coordination
efforts of global climate change talks and negotiations; and
·
Undertake any other duties assigned on
climate change desertification control.
3.
Educational Qualifications:
·
Candidates must have at least a Master’s
University Degree in Climate Science or Climate Studies and or Environmental
Studies with particular reference to climate policy and a working knowledge or
specialisation in desertification.
·
A
Doctorate degree in any one of the above would be an added advantage
4.
Work Experience:
·
Candidates must have at least ten (10) years
of appropriate experience in Senior Management position, including experience
in design and development of policies and strategies; and management of
international organizations;
·
The candidate should have particular
experience in managing climate change programmes, with expertise and working
knowledge of having undertaken production of or regional climate change
strategies;
·
Substantial experience with international,
regional and national policy processes related to environment, climate change
and desertification or land degradation.
·
Knowledge of the regional and global climate
change, desertification and disaster risk reduction processes is an asset with
a track record of diplomatic negotiations.
5.
Other relevant skills
·
Strong experience in public sector with
related experience dealing with private sector and civil society bodies.
·
Familiarity with international and regional
policy processes related to climate change and desertification.
·
Computer literacy and proven writing skills
·
Working knowledge of policy analysis and
development and programme/project management, implementation and monitoring.
·
Management experience, excellent
interpersonal skills and ability to organize and motivate others and to work in
a multi-cultural environment.
·
Excellent drafting and reporting skills.
·
Good planning and organizational skills.
·
Conscientious and efficient in observing
deadlines and achieving results.
·
Takes accountability for goals and
challenges.
·
Effective and distinct communication ability
with excellent written and verbal communications skills.
·
Ability to defend, explain with tact and
diplomacy difficult positions addressing key policy issues.
·
Ability to work under pressure and
collaboratively with and to establish and
maintain effective working
relationships with colleagues
of different
·
Track record of excellent time management and
ability to meet tight deadlines.
6. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT:
Proficiency in one of the African Union
working languages. Knowledge of one or several other working languages would be
an added advantage.
7. AGE
REQUIREMENT:
Candidates must
preferably be between 30 and 45 years old.
8. TENURE OF
APPOINTMENT:
The appointment will be made on a fixed term
contract for a period of One (1) years, of which the first twelve months will
be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a
annually subject to satisfactory performance and fund availability.
9.
REMUNERATION: The
salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 95,508.24inclusive
of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and
US$
83,902.99inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff
Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment
Website http://www.aucareers.org
not later than1st July 2013.
Directorate of Administration and
Human Resource Management
African Union Commission
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
COORDINATOR, CLIMATE CHANGE AND DESERTIFICATION UNIT
Reviewed by Unknown
on
7:53:00 AM
Rating: