African Union (AU)

Position: Senior Legal Officer

Job Time: Full-Time

Job Type: Permanent

Place of Work: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Salary: US 37,453.00 per annum

Posted date: 1 week ago

Application Deadline: Jan, 17/2022 (21 days left)

Purpose of Job

The Senior Legal Officer reports to the Deputy Director, Africa CDC, and technology to the African Union Office of Legal Counsel (AU-OLC). Working in close collaboration with the AU-OLC, the incumbent shall provide legal advisory services to staff of the Africa CDC Secretariat, Regional Collaborating Centres (RCC), and National Public Health Institutes (NPHI)

Main Functions

• Provide technical support in the preparation and implementation of programs developed out of Africa CDC’s strategic plan
• Ensure effective coordination and implementation at various levels
• Liaise with the Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other stakeholders on relevant matters
• Prepare and develop reports, budget, and work programs related to the functioning of the Office
• Provide technical support for the development of resource mobilization strategy with stakeholders coordination
• Manage and supervise employees under his/her supervision with regard to organization and performance evaluation.
• Conduct complex analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for Africa CDC’S and AU’s internal use.
• Liaise with the various Departments/Units of the Commission for coordination and alignment purposes
• Participate in the preparation of budgets for the Office in accordance with relevant frameworks. Support the promotion of the activities of the Africa CDC including preparing leaflets, guidelines, and fact sheets as may be required.
• Actively contribute to the development of strategies, policies, programs, and plans

Specific Responsibilities

• Draft or assist in the drafting of legal texts and memoranda ensure that the interests of the Africa CDC are protected and ideals of the African Union are not compromised and offer advice on issues and disputes that may arise from their application; 
• Provide legal services to Africa CDC to ensure legality in decision-making and compliance with the AU rules and regulations;
• Liaise with relevant Africa CDC divisions and assist in drafting and validating Legal frameworks;
• Conduct legal research and proffer legal opinions on matters raised by Africa CDC;
• Draft and review host agreements between the AU/Africa CDC and Regional Collaborating Centers;
• Review and assist in drafting administrative contracts and agreements such as Memorandums of Understanding, Grant Agreements, Letters of Agreements, contracts of engagement of personnel, consultants, and contracts awarded for the procurement of goods or services;
• Participate in meetings of relevant legal nature on behalf of Africa CDC; 
• Advice on Legal Issues relating to conflict prevention, management and resolution; 
• Serve as the focal point between Africa CDC and Office of the Legal Counsel;
• Provide legal advice on the interpretation of legal texts relating to administrative and institutional matters;
• Liaise with the Office of the Legal Counsel in negotiating Agreements where Africa CDC is a party;
• Follow up agreements with partners as well as with the Office of the Legal Counsel;
• Perform any other relevant functions as may be assigned by the Supervisor;

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• University Master's Degree in Law with an emphasis in the area of Global Health Law, Public Health Law, Public International Law, Administrative Law, Labor Law or equivalent with seven (7) years of relevant work experience out of which three (3) at an expert level in a legal position within an academic institution, a government or international organization. OR 
• University Bachelor Degree in Law with an emphasis in the area of Public International Law, Administrative Law, Labor Law or equivalent with at least ten (10) years of relevant work experience out of which three (3) years of relevant work experience should be at an expert level in a legal position within an academic institution, a government or international organization... 
• Relevant work experience refers to a progressively responsible experience in legal practice or related area, at least one of which should be in an international setting. More specifically, the candidate should be experienced in the provision of legal advisory services in an organization dealing with multilateral issues, Ministries of Health/Departments of Justice/International Affairs or Cooperation of Member States, or such other relevant organizations and institutions.  
• Experience in providing legal advice and counsel to public health or related public sector programs, of which 3 years at a specialist/expertise level.

Required Skills

Functional Skills 

• Knowledge of legal policies, practices, and procedures and the ability to apply them in an organizational setting
• Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations in individual and team setting
• Demonstrable legal writing skills and other writing skills to prepare responses for inquiries, reports, proposals, etc.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Demonstrable skills in issue identification, opinion formulation, and documenting conclusions and recommendations
• General knowledge of office administrative support procedures and processes
• Knowledge of interpersonal relationship practices to meet and deal with persons of diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability with regard to computer skills, including excellent word-processing capabilities, proficiency with e-mail and internet applications, and experience in using office software applications such as MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish) is required. Knowledge of one or more of the other AU working languages would be an added advantage.

Personal Abilities

• Ability to work under pressure, stay on track and meet deadlines.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proven ability to use clear, concise language in correspondence as well as including content fitting for the purpose and audiences when preparing written briefs and reports. 
• Adaptive, patient, resourceful, resilient, and flexible. 
• Proactive and solutions-oriented.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Insight...
• Developing others...
• Change Management...
• Managing Risk...

Core Competencies

• Building Relationship...
• Foster Accountability Culture...
• Learning Orientation...
• Communicating with Influence...

Functional Competencies

• Conceptual thinking...
• Job Knowledge and information sharing...
• Drive for result...
• Continuous improvement orientation...

ENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

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

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

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

LANGUAGES:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

How to Apply

CLICK HERE

REMUNERATION:

Indicative basic salary of US$ 37,453.00 (P3 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 22,932.00 (per annum), and education allowance (100% of tuition and other education-related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10,000.00 per child per annum), for internationally recruited staff and a maximum of $3,300 per child per annum for locally recruited staff.