Senior Policy Officer (Division of Rural Economy), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for the formulation of policies and programmes for rural development at regional and sub-regional levels for improved rural livelihoods.
• Initiate and promote policy and strategy for development of rural institutions.
• Promote policies through the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and relevant specialized agencies for implementation with the aim of improving rural livelihoods.
• Promote and facilitate, at continental and regional levels, agreements for the improvement of agro-pastorals and the free movement of livestock and people across borders.
• Promote the establishment of farmer's Forum for enhanced empowerment, productive and beneficial engagement at various levels.
• Promote the development of rural-urban linkages for expansion of remunerative rural employment opportunities.
• Support the activities of relevant specialized technical committees of the AU Commission in matters related to rural development.
• Participate in development of programmes, plans of action, and budgets of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture.
• Monitor, supervise and evaluate implementation of projects and programmes in rural economy. Organize and service workshops, seminars, and meetings.
• Produce and submit period reports on activities and specific missions.

Educational Requirement

Candidates must have a minimum of Masters Degree in agricultural or agribusiness fields and specialized post-graduate training in policy analysis, projects/programme preparation, monitoring and evaluation, rural development, and institutional analysis.

Work Experience

Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in rural development, agri-business, policy and institutional analysis.

Other relevant skills

• Working knowledge of policy and institutional analysis and development and programme/project management, implementation and monitoring;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to organize and motivate others and to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills;
• Good communication and negotiating skills;
• Good planning and organizational skills;

• Computer literacy (processing of word, data and graphic).

Language Requirement:

Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages. Knowledge of other working languages would be an added advantage.

Age Requirement:

Candidates must preferably be between 30 and 45 years old.

Tenure of Appointment:

The appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of three (3) years, of with the first twelve months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.

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.

Gender Mainstreaming:

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

Remuneration:

Indicative basic salary of US$ 33,619.00 per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance 14,414.40 perineum), 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), etc for internationally recruited staff of the Commission.

Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website http://www.aucareers.org not later than 11th November 2013. Directorate of Administration and Human Resource Management African Union Commission