Deputy Executive Secretary (ACERWC)

AU - African Union

Maseru, Lesotho

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 of Ethiopia. In seeking to achieve some of these objectives, the African Union established the Secretariat of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC).

The ACERWC is a human rights Organ of the AU with the mandate to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children in Africa. The Committee was established by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), through Article 32 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (The African Children’s Charter) to monitor the implementation of the Charter.

In view of the above background, the African Union invites qualified and competent applicants who are citizens of Member States of the African Union with relevant skills, competencies and experiences to submit their applications for the position of Deputy Secretary at the Secretariat of the ACERWC based in Maseru, the Kingdom of Lesotho.

The Deputy Secretary’s main role shall be to assist the Executive Secretary to oversee the strategic direction and organizational leadership of the Secretariat of the ACERWC.

Main Functions

Reporting directly to the Executive Secretary of the ACERWC Secretariat, the incumbent will assist the Executive Secretary with the overall operations and functions of the Secretariat through the following main functions:

Design and implement policies, programs and projects to achieve the Secretariat’s strategic objectives;
Manage and supervise employees within the Secretariat with regard to the office’s goals and objectives including performance evaluation;
Design strategies and policies consistent with the Secretariat’s goals in order to address the pertinent issues in the relevant area;
Design and plan policy programs to achieve the strategies;
Develop activity plans consistent with ACERWC policies and strategies;
Address challenges and problems related to the relevant area;
Engage stakeholders within Members States and Regional Economic Communities in designing and implementing strategies;
Represent the organisation and explain its position at conferences;
Mobilise funding from all donors to use to execute strategies and activities.

Specific Responsibilities

Manage and supervise employees within the Secretariat in accordance with his/her reporting relationship, ensures the timely delivery of the Secretariat’s goals and effective staff performance evaluation;
Design policies, strategies and programs to contribute to the effective implementation of relevant AU Policy Organs Decisions in relation to the Secretariat’s mandate;
Ensure the delivery of the Secretariat’s annual targets in line with its overall goals and ensures robust and timely monitoring and reporting;
Provide technical leadership and ensures efficient functioning of all Units within the Secretariat.M
Manage the work of the Secretariat and supervises direct reports to ensure their effective performance in line with AU’s performance management policy and system;
Maintain thematic partnerships in support of the mandate of the Secretariat;
Maintains regular working relations with senior stakeholders in Member States and partner institutions in the execution of the Secretariat’s mandate;
Represent the Secretariat in particular and AUC in general, and communicates its position at conferences;
Contribute to the preparation of periodic financial and budget execution reports and monitor budget execution at Secretariat level;
Ensure the effective management of funds contributed to the Secretariat;
Manage risk within the Secretariat and recommends mitigation strategies;
Contribute to the development of business continuity plan and ensures implementation at Secretariat level;
Maintains a positive work environment that facilitates collaboration and information sharing and is conducive to attracting, retaining, and motivating diverse talent.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

Master’s Degree in International Human Rights Law, Social Work, Child Rights, International Human Rights Law, Social Work, or Child Rights from a recognized educational institution. A higher qualification will be an added advantage;
A minimum of twelve (12) years progressively responsible and relevant work experience, in organizations that offer in depth knowledge on child protection and African human rights mechanisms in particular, out of which seven (7) years must be managerial level, while five (5) years should involve supervision responsibility;
In-depth knowledge of child protection is mandatory;
Experience working with the African Union and Human Rights Mechanisms is mandatory;
Exhibiting demonstrable knowledge of the African Union in general is a preferred;
A track-record in leading on the development and implementation of programs and projects focusing on child rights issues at the Continental or International level;
Experience carrying out similar work in regional or international organizations;
Proven ability to design and supervise implementation of protection programs and activities.

Required Skills

Excellent research and writing and skills;
Ability to work under pressure;
Experience working in a multicultural office environment and diverse groups;
Good communication, planning and negotiating skills;
Excellent interpersonal skills;
Ability to work autonomously;
Experience working with stakeholders;
Experience working for Human Rights Organization, especially Child Rights Organization, at a regional, continental or international level, will be will be a requirement;
Good knowledge and use of computer applications; and MS-Office applications, including MS-Word, MS-Excel and MS-PowerPoint;
Applicants must be proficient in one of the African Union working languages (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese or Spanish). Knowledge of one more or several other working languages would be an added advantage.

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