African Union Job Vacancy for Liaison Office to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

The key objective for the establishment of the African Union (AU) Liaison Office to COMESA is to promote and improve relations between the AU and COMESA, 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 COMESA 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 COMESA’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 Commission of the African Union invites applicants who are citizens of

Member States for the position of AU Liaison Officer to COMESA. 

I. Job Title: AU Liaison Officer to COMESA

II. Post Level: P 5 Step 5

III. Department: Peace and Security 

IV. Duty Station: Lusaka, Zambia

V. Reports to: Director, Peace and Security Department2. Main Responsibilities:

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 COMESA;

• Keep the AU Commission fully and continuously informed of the activities of

COMESA in the area of peace and security and facilitate the regular exchange of

information between the AU and COMESA as may be relevant, including the state of

peace and security in the  COMESA  region, and efforts towards the promotion of

peace, security and stability;

• Attend meetings of the peace and security organs within  COMESA and other

relevant meetings within the COMESA 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  COMESA to adopt common

positions and joint actions on peace and security situations in the region;

• Attend intergovernmental and donors meetings organized by the relevant COMESA

departments, particularly on issues relating to peace and security;

• Establish formal and informal relations with all departments within  COMESA,

particularly the Department of Legal and Institutional Affairs 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 COMESA 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  COMESA region of assignment, 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 COMESA Region; and 

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

3. Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications:

• A minimum of a Masters degree either in Political Science, International

Relations, Sociology, Business Management or related field.

• 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.• 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  COMESA 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) is a must. 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 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$ 104,601.24 inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 92,995.99 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