Senior Legal Officer (AfCDC)

AU - African Union

Addis Abeba, Ethiopia

Purpose of Job

The Senior Legal Officer is responsible for provision of support on all legal matters, negotiate and drafting of legal agreements. The Senior Legal Office will also, advise the Africa CDC Secretariat on legal matters concerning operations, employment, intellectual property rights, and public relations, conflicts of interest, privileges and immunities, policies, governance, and compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Main Functions

Provide technical support in the preparation and implementation of programmes developed out of the Organ’s strategic plan;
Liaise with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other stakeholders on relevant matters;
Provide technical support for the development of a resource mobilization strategy with stakeholders’ coordination;
Conduct complex analysis and promptly liaise with the various Directorates /Division of the Africa CDC and other AU Organs for coordination and alignment purposes;
Actively contribute to the development of strategies, policies, programmes and plans.

Specific Responsibilities

Assist with the drafting and review of legal documents, including correspondence, guidelines, briefing papers, and reports on a wide variety of legal matters;
Integrate legal frameworks, policies, and procedures to promote project implementation;
Provide legal advice and mainstream in all the compliance with relevant laws, and regulations, and effectively integrate legal frameworks in the implementation of project activities;
Provide legal support and contribute to identifying and assessing issues and risks related to complementary social inclusion and implement responses;
Support timely updating of the existing Policies, Administrative Instructions, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Strategies, Guidelines, etc. and make proposals;
Negotiate of legal instruments, agreements and arrangements that provide the normative framework;
Ensure the consideration of legal matters of the project and provideassistance on legal matters affecting the operation and activities;
Support the legal team on issues related to the implementation of the Gender Action Plan and any other gender-related issue;
Assist with research and the provision of legal advice on the interpretation and application of AU law;
Conduct legal research and proffer legal opinions on matters raised by Africa CDC;
Perform any other relevant functions as may be assigned.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

University Master's Degree in Law with an emphasis in Public International Law, Administrative Law with seven (7) years of relevant work experience out of which three (3) at an expert level in a legal position within , a government or international organization; OR
University bachelor’s degree in law with an emphasis in the area of Public International Law, Administrative Law, Labor Law or equivalent with at least ten (10) years of relevant work experience out of which three (3) years of relevant work experience should be at a expert level in a legal position within an academic institution, a government or international organization;
Relevant work experience refers to a progressively responsible experience in legal practice or related area, at least one of which should be in an international setting. More specifically, the candidate should be experienced in the provision of legal advisory services in an organization dealing with multilateral issues, Ministries of Health/Departments of Justice/International Affairs or Cooperation of Member States, or such other relevant organizations and institutions;
Experience in providing legal advice and counsel to public health or related public sector programmes, of which 3 years at a specialist/expertise level.

Required Skills

Knowledge of legal policies, practices and procedures and ability to apply them in an organizational setting;
Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations in individual and team setting;
Demonstrable skills in issue identification, opinion formulation, and in documenting conclusions and recommendations;
Demonstrable legal writing skills and other writing skills to prepare responses for inquiries, reports, proposals, etc.;
Excellent organizational and time-management skills;
General knowledge of office administrative support procedures and processes;
Knowledge of interpersonal relationship practices to meet and deal with persons of diverse backgrounds;
Demonstrated ability with regard to computer skills, including excellent word-processing capabilities, proficiency with e-mail and internet applications;
Experience in using office software applications such as MS Excel, Power Point and Word;
Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish) is required. Knowledge of one or several other working languages would be an added advantage.