Policy Officer at African Union (AU)

Job description

Tasks

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Specifically, the Job holder shall perform the following tasks:-

• Support in preparation of reports, budget and work programmes related to Water and Sanitation in consultation with the Head of Division;
• Assist in the formulation of appropriate strategies, policies and plans of action related to Water and Sanitation;
• Assist in building awareness on Water and Sanitation issues in Africa.
• Promote publication of guidelines and fact sheets on the scientific, political and economic aspects of Water and Sanitation.
• Assist in the development of the African Common Positions on Water and Sanitation and contribute to their promotion;
• Liaise with Member States, RECs, and relevant Stakeholders including International Organizations, Development Partners on issues of Water and Sanitation;
• Support formulation of project and programme proposals and their implementation.
• Assist in the coordination of various efforts on Water and Sanitation, ensuring linkages and synergies/ complementarities of different initiatives, sectors and collaborations;
• Facilitate Member States and RECs in the implementation of measures for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the Water and Sanitation sector including those related to
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the entire Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
• Support production and submission of periodic reports of activities under Water and Sanitation;
• Provide technical inputs to applications for resource mobilization for Water and Sanitation.
• Support the Commission in its coordination efforts of global Water and Sanitation talks and negotiations; Support policy research in Water and Sanitation; and
• Undertake any other duties assigned on Water and Sanitation as well as on the mandate of the Commission in general.

Educational qualifications and experience required:

Candidates must have a minimum of:

• a Bachelor’s Degree in Water and Sanitation, Natural Resources Management, Sustainable Development or any other relevant field, and at least 3-4 years of work experience in assignments related to Water and Sanitation.
  OR
• a University Diploma in Water and Sanitation, Natural Resources Management, Sustainable Development or any other relevant field, and at least 5 years of work experience in assignments related to Water and Sanitation.

Furthermore, candidates are required to have:

• Experience with international, Intergovernmental, regional and national policy processes related to Water and Sanitation;
• Knowledge of on-going regional and experience in global Water and Sanitation negotiations is an asset with a track record of diplomatic negotiations;
• Knowledge on rivers and lakes basin issues related to water resources management
• Experience in sanitation matters at national level.
• A Master’s degree in Water Resources Management, Sanitation, Sustainable Development or Natural Resource Management will be an added advantage.

Skills and competencies required:

Functional Skills

• Computer literacy;
• Good planning and organizational skills;
• Excellent verbal, analytical and writing skills (drafting and reporting), advocacy and presentational skills is an asset.

Personal Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Ability to work under pressure and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues of different nationalities and culture backgrounds, in order to achieve organizational goals.

Knowledge Skills

• Good communication skills;
• Knowledge of African Union Commission systems and procedures.

Language Requirement:

Proficiency in at least one of the African Union working languages (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese); knowledge of other working languages would be an added advantage.