AU Liaison Officer to SADC

African Union Liaison Office to the Southern African Development Community (SADC)

The key objective for the establishment of the African Union (AU) Liaison Office to SADC is to promote and improve relations between the AU and SADC, particularly in the area of peace and security. The Liaison Office is established in accordance with the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the African Union Peace and Security Council, which requires the PSC and the Chairperson of the Commission to harmonize and coordinate the activities of Regional Mechanisms (RMs) in the field of peace, security and stability and to ensure that these activities are consistent with the objectives and principles of the Union. In the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and RMs in January 2008, the parties committed themselves to facilitate the establishment of the Liaison Offices.

The SADC Liaison Office is expected to contribute to the operationalization of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), as well as to strengthen cooperation and closely coordinate AU’s and SADC’s activities towards shared goals of ridding the region of the scourge of conflicts and laying the foundation for sustainable peace, security and stability.

The AU Commission invites applicants who are citizens of Member States for the position of AU Liaison Officer to SADC.

1. Post
I. Job Title: AU Liaison Officer to SADC
II. Post Level: P 6 Step 5
III. Department: Peace and Security
IV. Duty Station: Gaborone, Botswana

V. Reports to: Director, Peace and Security Department


2. Main Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director, Peace and Security Department, the Liaison Officer is expected:-

 To assume overall responsibility of the management and operations of the AU Liaison Office in SADC;

• Keep the AU Commission fully and continuously informed of the activities of SADC in the area of peace and security and facilitate the regular exchange of information between the AU and SADC as may be relevant, including the state of peace and security in the SADC region, and efforts towards the promotion of peace, security and stability;

• Attend meetings of the peace and security organs within SADC and other relevant meetings within the SADC region, and provide up-to-date information on matters of interest to the AU, with a view to strengthening cooperation and coordination and making it possible for the AU and SADC to adopt common positions and joint actions on peace and security situations in the region;

• Attend intergovernmental meetings organized by the relevant SADC departments, particularly on issues relating to peace and security;

• Establish formal and informal relations with all departments within SADC, particularly the Directorate of the Organ on Politics Defence and Security, which has a substantive role in conflict prevention and resolution, and Departments that deal with economic matters, in so far as their activities are relevant to regional integration;

• Act as a point of contact between the AU and SADC on all matters of peace and security as well as other AU peace efforts as may be deemed appropriate and initiate reports and statements for the Policy Organs of the AU and the leadership of the Commission;

• Follow-up on political developments in the SADC region, with particular emphasis on early warning signals from the region and the Continental Early Warning System within the Commission;

• undertake annual assessment of the impact of all decisions by the Peace and Security Council on AU Member States in the SADC Region; and

• Perform any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.


4. Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications:

• A minimum of a Masters degree either in Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, Business Management or related field.

• A minimum of twelve (12) years experience working in the area of peace and security, humanitarian affairs, diplomacy or related field in government service, International Organization, civil society organization or a research institute, of which at least 5 years should be in senior management position. Practical involvement in conflict mediation and/or negotiations will be an advantage. Knowledge of the SADC system would also be an added advantage.

4. Other relevant skills:

• 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 communication and negotiating skills; and
• Good planning and organizational skills.

5. Age requirement:

Candidates must preferably be aged between 35 and 50 years old.

6. Language Requirement:

Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (English, French, Arabic and Portuguese). Knowledge of one or all of the other working languages would be an added advantage.

7. Tenure of Appointment:

The appointment will be for an initial period of one (1) year renewable subject to satisfactory performance.

8. Gender Mainstreaming:

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

9. Application:

To apply, please submit the following:

a. A letter stating reasons for seeking employment with the AU Commission;

b. A detailed and updated CV, indicating your nationality, age and gender;

c. Names and contact details (including e-mail addresses) of three references; and

d. Certified copies of degrees and diplomas.

10. Remuneration:

The salary attached to the position is an annual lump- sum of US$ 120,372.98 inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 108,767.74 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff.

Applications must be received not later than 29th July 2011 and should be addressed to:


DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
AU Commission
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
P.O. Box 3243
Fax: 00251-1-525840/510430 E-mail: au-recruits@africa-union.org