Policy Officer, Climate Change - 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 achieve this objective, the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver by, among others, the implementation of its organizational structure and the filling of all vacant posts.

1. POST

Post Title: Policy Officer, Climate Change

Grade: P2

Supervisor Head of Division of Environment, Climate Change, Water and Land Management

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Department: Rural Economy and Agriculture

2. Major Duties and Responsibilities

Specifically, the Job holder shall perform the following tasks:

• Assist in preparation of reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Unit, in consultation with the Head of Division.
• Assist in formulation of appropriate strategies, policies and plans of action related to climate change and desertification control in Africa.
• Build awareness on climate change issues in Africa and support project implementation on adaptation and mitigation actions.
• Promote and support the development of African common positions on climate change.
• Liaises with Member States, RECs, and relevant Stakeholders including International Organizations, Development Partners on issues of climate change and desertification control.
• Ensure Policy harmonization on climate change 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.
• Assist in the 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.
• 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 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 on Africa.
• Support production and submission of periodic reports of activities of the Unit.
• Organize and service workshops, meetings, conferences, seminars on climate change.
• Produce and submit periodic reports on activities and all missions.
• Support the Commission in its coordination efforts of global climate change talks and negotiations.
• Undertake any other duties assigned on climate change.

3. Educational Qualifications

Candidates must have at least bachelor degree in the Environmental Sciences, Natural Sciences (i.e. Water Resources Management, Biology, Zoology, Water Resources Engineering, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Environmental /Industrial Chemistry, Environmental Technology, Hydro-geology) and/ or equivalent discipline.

Masters degree and postgraduate qualification in project management and negotiation skills (recognised diploma or certificate) would be an added advantage.

4. Work Experience

Candidates must have at least three to five (5) years of appropriate experience in related position, including experience in design and development of policies and strategies; and management of international organizations. Substantial experience with international, Intergovernmental, regional and national policy processes related to environment, climate change and desertification. Strong experience in climate change negotiations, multilateral environmental agreements, policy, research and technology in the adaptation work in the African continent. Knowledge of the on-going 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.
• 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 nationalities and culture backgrounds, in order to achieve organizational goals.
• Track record of excellent time management and ability to meet tight deadlines.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Gender Mainstreaming

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

10. 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 ($14,852.60 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