African Union Job Vacancy for Director for Legal Counsel: 10000515

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 are

located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.

In seeking to achieve these objectives, the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver, by amongst others, the implementation of its organizational structure and the filling of all vacant posts.

The Commission of the African Union invites applicants who are citizens of Member States for the position of Director (Legal Counsel),   Office of the Legal Counsel

The Office of Legal Counsel provides legal advisory, representational services, serve as depository, as well as  ensures  legality in decision- making and compliance with the AU Constitutive Act and all existing  legal instruments of the AU.

1. Post:

Job Title:  Director for Legal Counsel

Post Level

Unit: Office of the Legal Counsel

:  D1

Supervisor:  H.E. Chairperson of the Commission

Duty Station:  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2. Responsibilities:

i. To assist and advise the Commission and AU Organs on legal matters;

Major duties and responsibilities

ii. To provide legal opinions relating to the interpretation of all Protocols, Rules and

Regulations of the AU, as well as, other legal instruments;

iii. To assist the Chairperson of the Commission, in discharging his/her functions as

Depository of all the treaties as well as all other legal instruments of the Union and in keeping copies of international agreements  signed between Member

States;

iv. To assess the legal implications of the activities and decisions of all deliberative,

advisory and administrative bodies, and to participate in the meetings of these

bodies;

v. To draft contracts; host agreements, cooperation agreements and Rules of

Procedure of the various organs, treaties, and other legal instruments as well as

prepare election documents including materials for elections at the level of the

Executive Council and the Assembly;

vi. To represent the Commission and all organs of the AU in judicial proceedings,

negotiations or other procedures for the conclusion of   agreements or the

settlement of disputes;

vii. To ensures the smooth functioning of,  and  represents the Chairperson in the

Administrative Tribunal ;

viii.To follow-up on issues concerning the implementation of Headquarters and Host

Agreements;

ix. To ensure that the privileges and immunities of the Commission and its staff and

representatives accredited to it are assured, respected and protected as provided

for in the  Headquarters Agreements and the General Convention on Privileges

and Immunities of the AU;

x. To follow up on issues relating to international legal matters;

xi. To ensure that the legal interaction between the Organs of the Union and

Member States, other Organisations, individuals and other legal entities are

regulated in such a manner that the interests of the AU are safeguarded;

xii. To undertake investigations and prepare reports on special legal problems.

xiii.To ensure overall management of the Office including the preparation of

programmes and budgets and their effective implementation, as well as, the

supervision of personnel and management of performance.

xiv. To perform any other duties as may be assigned.

3. Educational Qualifications: 

Candidates must have an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in  public or private international law and/or the law of international organizations. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of professional  qualifications and experience in international law will be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Admittance to the Bar of a Member State or otherwise qualified to practise law is desirable.

4. Work experience requirement: 

Candidates must have at least 10 years of relevant

working experience, of which at least 5 years should be in senior management position. 

5. Other relevant skills

General Knowledge of law ; In-depth knowledge of  international  comparative  law and 

constitutional  law; Legal  analytical  skills ; Problem  solving  skills ;Negotiation skills;

Legislative drafting skills;  Research,  policy  analysis and  development;  Organizational

skills; Communication and  networking ;  Advocacy and  management;     Computer

literacy;  Management experience and  excellent interpersonal skills and ability to

organize and motivate others and to work in a multi-cultural environment;

6. Language requirement:

 Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (English, French, Arabic and Portuguese) is a must. Knowledge of one or all of the other working languages would be

an added advantage.

7. Age requirement

Candidates must preferably be between 35 and 50 years old.

8. 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 will be considered a probationary period.

Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to

satisfactory performance.

9. Gender Mainstreaming

The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are

strongly encouraged to apply.

10. 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;

d...Certified copies of degrees and diplomas.

11. Remuneration

Indicative basic salary of US$ 70,139.00 per annum plus other related entitlements  – e.g. post adjustment (46% of basic salary), housing allowance (US$ 16,819.20 per 

annum), education allowance (75% of tuition and other education related expenses up to a maximum of US$ 7,800.00 per child per annum), etc in accordance with the Rules and Regulations Governing the employment of International Civil Servants of the African Union Commission.

Applications must be received not later than  19 September 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