African Union Commission Legal Associates Programme (LAP) 2016

The African Union Commission (AUC) invites applications for the 2016 edition of its Legal Associates Programme (LAP). The programme is a highly competitive capacity development initiative of the Office of the Legal Counsel.
The Legal Associates will be part of the Office of the Legal Counsel of the AUC for one (1) year.

The essence of the LAP is to provide and inculcate professional legal expertise in young African lawyers in the area of African integration law as represented by the ideals and programmes and activities of the AUC, other Organs, Specialised Agencies and Institutions of the African Union. The overarching aim of the LAP is to emphasize the role of law in development and to raise the next crop of African legal armies that are equipped to understand common African legal positions and provide professional service in that regard to both the AUC, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the various Member States.

The Legal Associates will be expected to offer professional legal advice, undertake legal research, comparative legal analysis, drafting of legal documents and legal support to ongoing projects and programs within the AUC, other Organs, Specialised Agencies and Institutions of the African Union in the various areas of law that are implicated in the work of the Union

The Legal Associates will comprise of exceptional Ten (10) young women and men in equal gender representation. Two (2) Legal Associates will be selected from each of the five (5) regions of the African Union.

Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants wishing to apply for the Legal Associates Program MUST meet the following requirements:

i. Have a Master’s Degree in Law: Applicants must have already obtained a Master’s Degree in Law from a recognised University anywhere in the world.
ii. Have a minimum of one year relevant legal experience.
iii. Be nationals of a member state of the African Union.
iv. Be between the ages of 25 and 30.
v. Be fluent in at least one (1) of the African Union working languages.
vi. Passion to learn about and think African integration in within the vision and mission of the African Union
vii. A strong value and preference will be placed on professional admission/enrolment to practice law in any Member State of the African Union.

Competencies
Applicants wishing to apply for the Legal Associates Programe must satisfactorily demonstrate a strong passion for Africa’s development.
In addition, each Applicant must have the following competencies:

I. Knowledge of the African Union’s legal framework, policies and procedure and must be able to correctly and consistently apply them.
II. Exhibit sufficient professional independence and maturity. Applicants must be able to perform their duties as Associate Legal Officers in an objective manner, with the discretion and sensitivity required for operating in a multi-cultural setting.
III. Demonstrate strong legal knowledge with an ability to carry out extensive research and draft legal documents with limited supervision.
IV. Ability to critically analyze legal problems or situations and provide concrete solutions with limited supervision.
V. Ability to work in teams and contribute productively to the overall work or output of the Office of the Legal Counsel.
VI. Possess strong communication skills and the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.

Stipend & Other Expenses

• The Legal Associates will receive a reasonable stipend that will account for living expenses, housing and health insurance in Addis Ababa.
• The Legal Associates will also receive a return economy flight ticket.