Senior Programmes and Projects Officer at African Union (AU)

Purpose of Job

• 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 is located in Addis  Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.  
• In seeking to achieve this objective, the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver by, among others, the implementation of a new organizational structure and the  filling of vacant posts. 
• The Commission of the African Union invites applicants who are citizens of Member States for a position in the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (IBAR) Nairobi, Kenya 
• which is mainly in charge of being the vehicle for the AU to develop an appropriate and independent expertise in the area of animal health and production for the alleviation of poverty of those involved in livestock farming and food security in Member States. 
• The Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialised technical office of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable 
• Environment (DARBE) of the African Union Commission (AUC). AU-IBAR’s mandate is to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries and wildlife as resources for  both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union (AU). 
• The Commission of the African Union invites applicants who are citizens of Member States for a position at the Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources, Nairobi, Kenya. 

Main Functions

• Provide technical guidance on the management of projects and programmes in the IBAR office. 
• Promote internal best practices concerning AU-IBAR’s, monitoring and evaluation. 
• Represent AU-IBAR in strategic meetings at Continental, Regional and Member States levels. 
• Devise and implement the work programme of AU IBAR so as to ensure it provides the Annual Management plan and the monitoring and evaluation capacity required. 
• Participate actively in the management of IBAR along with the other members of the management team. 
• Oversee and manage the Project and Programme team and provide a proactive and dynamic framework for the work of the staff of the team. 
• Review relevant documents and reports, identify priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions.  
• Liaise with relevant parties, identifying and initiating follow-up actions. 
• Develop, implement and evaluate projects.  
• Direct subordinates in programmes and projects development, implementation, monitoring and assessment.  
• Undertake pperiodic appraisal of staff under supervision.

Specific Responsibilities

• Coordinate the preparation of AU- IBAR’s Annual Management plan. 
• Provide technical support & build capacities of AU-IBAR staff on Monitoring and Evaluation. 
• Facilitate development and operationalisation of M&E plans for all AU-IBAR projects and programmes. 
• Oversee the establishment, operationalization and management of an integrated Performance. 
• Institutionalize Results-based Management (RBM) within AU-IBAR. 
• Work closely with African Union (AU) Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in supporting projects and programs monitoring and evaluation. 
• Coordinate and facilitate the tracking and monitoring of project performance at Member States 
• Prepare and disseminate regular monitoring and evaluation reports. 
• Oversee the development of AU-IBAR annual budget Facilitate the development and implementation of the AU-IBAR Strategic Plan. 
• Participate in the mobilization of extra-budgetary resources. 
• Oversee the development and implementation of a knowledge management system to support the improvement of quality program, project or policy development and delivery. 
• Consolidation and preparation of AU-IBAR Quarterly and Annual Progress Reports. 
• Perform any other related duties as may be assigned by the Director. 

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• University Master’s Degree in Project Management or related social sciences with seven (7) years of relevant working experience in continent-wide projects`s developing 
• and implementation or programmes planning and management, with at least three (3) years at a managerial/supervisory level. Experience in strategic planning, monitoring, data collection and analysis techniques in quantitative and qualitative analysis, 
• stakeholder relationship management and capacity for partnership and network building. 

OR 

• University Bachelor Degree in Project Management or related social sciences with 10 years of experience out of which 3 years of experience at a supervisory level in continent-wide projects or programmes management. Experience in strategic planning, 
• monitoring, data collection and analysis techniques in quantitative and qualitative analysis, stakeholder relationship management and capacity for partnership and network building. 
• PhD in the relevant subject is an advantage. 
• Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2, PMP, etc.) is desirable. 
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Required Skills

• Excellent writing and editing skills, with a keen eye for detail, accuracy, and consistency. 
• Strong knowledge of the subject matter, industry trends, and best practices, preferably with experience of planning and implementing  animal/ agricultural sector 
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines. 
• Leadership and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Creativity and innovation, with the ability to generate new ideas and approaches 
• Well-developed computer skills including MS teams and outlook  applications, data analysis and presentation tools, and project` s planning, monitoring and reporting tools are required.