Legal Officer (Treaty Matters) - 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 Legal Officer (Treaty Matters) in Office of the Legal Counsel

Job title: Legal Officer (Treaty Matters)

Grade: P2

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:

• Providing legal advice to all organs created by the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the AEC Treaty;
• Dealing with other issues arising out of the implementation of the Constitutive Act, the Abuja Treaty and other AU treaties, conventions and protocols;
• Providing legal advice to all Departments, Directorates and Units of the African Union Commission in order to ensure compliance with the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the AEC Treaty and other legal texts and instruments of the AU;
• Following up on the implementation of all the treaties and conventions adopted by the AU;
• Ensuring that all decisions and actions undertaken by the AU Policy Organs are in conformity with the provisions of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the AEC Treaty and other legal texts and instruments.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist the Legal Counsel to

• Draft legal texts in particular treaties, protocols, cooperation agreements and other such legal instruments as may be required;
• To coordinate smooth and quick implementation of the AEC Treaty and other AU treaties and conventions;
• Advise all the policy organs of the AU in its law making functions in order to ensure legality and compliance with basic texts;
• Provide necessary support for the smooth operationalization of the prospective African Court of Human and Peoples' Rights;
• Provide legal service to the other organs of the Union such as the Pan-African Parliament, the Court of Justice, etc.;
• Follow-up on the work of the various Regional Economic Communities with a view to harmonizing their treaties and protocols with the relevant legal instruments of the Union and also deal with issues of non-compliance with the provisions of the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the AEC Treaty;
• Prepare reports for submission to the Executive Council and the Assembly of the Union;
• Represent the Commission in meetings of a legal nature;
• Advise on the harmonization and coordination of legal strategies and policies of all Member States within the framework of the Union;
• Follow-up on the legal aspects of activities of the regional representations and specialized offices; Perform any other work as may be assigned by the Legal Counsel

2. Qualifications and Experience Required

• A University Degree in Law from a recognized University and a license to practice law in any jurisdiction of a Member State of the African Union.
• A Master's Degree in Law will be an added advantage.
• Candidates Must possess a minimum of five (5) 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.

3. Other Relevant Skills:

• Excellent and demonstrated research skills
• Computer literacy;
• Analytical skills;
• Excellent drafting and reporting skills;
• Good communication and negotiating skills;
• Good planning and organizational skills.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Gender Mainstreaming

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

8. Remuneration

Indicative basic salary of US$ 29,287.00 (P2 Step 1) per annum plus other related entitlements-e.g.

Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance ($14,414.40 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