Deputy Legal Counsel - The African Union

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 city of Ethiopia.

In seeking to attain this objective, the African Union intends to build its capacity to deliver, among others, the implementation of its organizational structure filling of vacant post.

The Commission of the African Union invites applicants who are citizens of Member States for the position of Deputy Legal Counsel Division in Office of the Legal Counsel

Post

Job title: Deputy Legal Counsel

Grade: P5

Supervisor: The Legal Counsel Departments Office of the Legal Counsel

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

1. Major duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Office of the Legal Counsel, the responsibilities and duties of the incumbent shall include the following and to assist the Legal Counsel in:

• Coordinating and conducting studies and research in related fields of the work of the Office;
• Drafting treaties, Rules of Procedure, Agreements, contracts and other such legal instruments as may be applicable;
• Advising on, and coordinating, the preparation and implementation of host agreements for AU Offices as well as agreements for hosting AU meetings;
• Coordinating the preparation of cooperation agreements, memoranda of understanding between the AU and partners;
• Providing legal opinions on legal questions from any Organ, Agency or Institution of the African Union, vetting of contracts and agreements;
• Advising on all legal aspects pertaining to the operationalization of the organs of the African Union and such other bodies as may be established by the Union;
• Advising on the harmonization and coordination of legal strategies and policies of Member States within the framework of the AU and decisions taken by other relevant bodies of the AU;
• Advising on the legal aspects of agreements to which the AU is a party including the interpretation of any provision of such instruments as may be referred to the Office of the Legal Counsel;
• Carrying out depository functions on behalf of the Chairperson and acting as custodian of all AU and other regional or sub-regional treaties and other legal instruments of which the Chairperson of the Commission is depositary and constantly communicate to Member States and other interested parties, the status of signature and ratification of the said instruments;
• Ensuring that the privileges and immunities of the Union and its staff, representatives accredited to it and experts on mission for the Union are assured and protected as provided for in the Headquarters Agreements and the General Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the AU;
• Providing legal advice on the operationalization of the Organs envisaged under the Constitutive Act, e.g. the Pan African Parliament, the Court of Justice, the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, ECOSOCC and the various Specialized Technical Committees;
• Preparing the necessary electoral materials and conducting all statutory elections at the Assembly and the Executive Council as well as other AU organs and institutions as may be required;
• Representing the Chairperson at the Ad-Hoc Administrative Tribunal;
• Processing applications for the granting of AU Observer Status;
• Organising and servicing Statutory meetings, workshops, seminars and such other meetings of the African Union and its Organs, Agencies and Institutions;
• The management of the Office of the Legal Counsel including personnel, budget, performance management, ensuring work quality, discipline and training in conformity with relevant rules and procedures in force;
• Performing any other related duties as may be assigned by the Legal Counsel.

2. Qualifications and Experience Required

Candidates must have a University Master's Degree in Laws and in addition, candidates must possess a license to practice law and must have practised law in a jurisdiction of a Member State of the Africa Union. A higher qualification will be added advantage.

3. Professional experience required

Candidates must possess a minimum of 10 years' experience in in a similar role that requires providing legal advisory services in a multilateral organization, Departments of Justice and International affairs of Member States, or other relevant organizations and institutions. Five of the required years of experience must have been at management level.

4. Other relevant skills

• Excellent and demonstrated research skills
• Computer literacy;
• Analytical skills;
• 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 communication and negotiating skills;
• Good planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent knowledge of international organizations and proven negotiation and arbitration skills;

5. Language requirement

Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages, Proficiency of one or several other working language(s) would be an added advantage.

6. Tenure of Appointment

The appointment will be made on a fixed 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 shall be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.

7. Least Representative Countries

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, Madagascar, Namibia, Sahrawi Arab Republic, SaoTome and Principe, Seychelles and Somalia.

8. Gender Mainstreaming

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

9. Remuneration

Indicative basic salary of US$ 47,829.00 (P5 Step 1) per annum plus other related entitlements-e.g. Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance ($16,819.20 per annum), 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 1 st September 2015.

Directorate of Administration and Human Resource Management African Union Commission