Director of Administration at the African Union

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Director of Administration (AfCDC)

Requisition ID: 1970
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Grade: D1
Contract Type: Regular
Reports to: Director General
Division: Office of the Director
Number of Direct Reports: 5
Number of Indirect Reports: 20
Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC

Purpose of Job

• The Director of Administration, is responsible for all the administrative and operational support of Africa CDC.
• The duties of the Director of Administration include long-term strategic planning, overseeing daily operations, delegating tasks to staff and managing the general operations of the office.

Main Functions

• Oversee all administrative functions and responsibilities for the department, including human resources management including recruitment related activities, contract management, payroll, and benefits, performance management, learning and development as well as employee relations, supply chain, MIS and Security & Safety within Africa CDC .
• The Director shall manage budget and staff, including those related to human resources, facilities’, information systems’ and overall administrative functions related to the running of Africa CDC operations .
• The preliminary duty of the Director of Administration is to ensure that there is strategic orientation in the functioning of the divisions reporting to him/her, and that the strategic objectives are translated into divisional work plans and actions, within set budgetary and resource frameworks.
• He/she shall have the overall leadership role to oversee, manage and control the efficiency of the Directorate. 
• Develops and executes the overall strategy for the directorate and ensures alignment with overall organizational strategy;  
• Manages and supervises employees within the directorate, ensures the timely delivery of the directorate’s goals and effective staff performance evaluation; 
• Drives the implementation and monitoring of policies, strategies and programs to contribute to the effective implementation of relevant AU Policy Organs Decisions; 
• Ensures the delivery of the directorate’s annual targets in line with Africa CDC’s overall goals and maintains robust departmental monitoring and evaluation systems; 
• Provides technical leadership and ensures efficient functioning of all Divisions within the directorate;  
• Manages the work of the Directorate and supervises direct reports to ensure their effective performance in line with the organization’s performance management policy and system;  
• Leads the directorate and ensures effective management of personnel, budget, performance, program quality, employee relations matters and training in conformity with relevant rules, policies and procedures;  

Specific Responsibilities
The Director of Administration shall:

• Provide strategic guidance and leadership in implementing and maintaining management operations and ensures cost-effective management is provided throughout the agency.
• Oversee agency programme management of support functions, including human resources management, procurement, MIS and security and safety functions at both headquarters and Regional Collaborating Centres. 
• Ensures overall agency compliance to AU rules and regulations and policies, in the areas of operations, namely supply chain, administrative services, human resources management, security and safety, as well as Management Information Systems..  
• Ensures agency that executive management receives accountability reporting and supportive briefing documents on timely manner.
• Ensure monitoring and oversight mechanisms and procedures are in place to ensure compliance to internal controls and external regulation.
• Foster efficient and effective business operations to advance agency programmes, initiatives and activities.  
• Develops policy and procedures as necessary to improve operational efficiencies across all business lines.
• Resolves service performance issues within Africa CDC and works closely with Directors and key staff of AU service Directorates and Divisions.
• Serves as an advocate for staff ensuring mechanisms and resources are in place to address and resolve staff complaints.
• Ensures provisioning, maintenance and monitoring of all facilities services provided by agency staff or outside vendors. 
• Represent the Director General and/or Deputy Director General on matters of operational policy to the Governing and Advisory Boards and other fora as appropriate.   
• Represents the Director General, in high level external engagements, and serve as acting Director General or Deputy Director General on a rotating basis with other senior staff.
• Takes efforts to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others and facilitates cooperation.
• Supports efforts to ensure the mental and physical safety and security of staff and visitors and other areas as appropriate.  
• Lead coordination and implementation of programme management support for Africa CDC emergency response. 
• Works closely with other Directors of AU service divisions and the AU Peace and Security components to ensure alignment of emergency service provision.    
• Oversee agency facilities support functions to ensure business operations at agency headquarters and Regional Collaborating Centres. 

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master's Degree in Business Management, Human Resources Management, Operations, Public Health Administration, Programme Management, or any other relevant area of study with at least 12 years of experience out of which seven (7) years should have be at managerial level, while five (5) should involve direct supervisory responsibilities
• Proven experience in managing the daily operations of various types of organizations, particularly international organization within the public sector
• Strong experience in the areas of planning and budgeting. 
• Established experience in administering and leading multifunctional departments/directorates, including human resources, procurement/supply chain, operations, MIS, Security and Safety areas of work
• Strong experience in ensuring compliance to rules and regulations, organizational policies and decisions, implementing policies and procedures,
• Proven experience in managing professional staff and experts, evaluating performance, onboarding, mentoring, supervising, motivating staff under his/her supervision and improving efficiency and productivity.
• Strong experience in successfully leading teams of administrative staff
• Should have excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, as well as a strong work ethic and attention to detail. 

Required Skills:

• Strong communication (both written and verbal), leadership and time management skills
• Presentation, report writing and communication skills.
• Planning and organizing skills 
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic, Spanish or Kiswahili) and  fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage
• Proficient with the use of computers and software programs used in HRM, supply chain and familiarity with major applications and software and institution wide systems used in administrative functions
• Leadership and management skills 
• Ability to successfully manage teams in Multicultural and Multilingual environment.
• Financial Management and Analytical skills.
• Interpersonal and negotiation skills 

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Focus
• Developing Organizational Capability
• Change Leadership
• Strategic Risk Management

Core Competencies:

• Building Partnership
• Drives Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact

Functional Competencies

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and Information Sharing
• Drive for Result
• Fosters Innovation

Tenure 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, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$ 78,138.00 (D1 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 26,208.00 (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.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Note

• Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.
• Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas, Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.
• The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline 5th October, 2023; 11h59 p.m. EAT