Chief Executive Officer (APRM) at the African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer (APRM)

Requisition ID: 1923
Location: Midrand, South Africa
Reports to: APRM Forum
Directorate/Department/Organ: African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)
Division: CEO’s Office
Number of Direct Reports: 30
Number of Indirect Reports: 84
Job Grade: SP3
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• To head different directorates which oversee the proper execution of policies in different areas of concern of APRM.
• To strategically lead the APRM towards achieving its mandate of ensuring that the policies and practices of participating states conform to the agreed political, economic, and corporate governance values, codes and standards contained in the Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance

Main Functions

• Ensures the proper formulation of policies
• Facilitating and overseeing implementation of APRM policies, objectives and programmes
• Implements the AU’s Policy Framework on relevant programs
• Coordinates, harmonizes, implements and monitors APRM’s programmes in Africa, including with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and international partners
• Promotes AU shared values across all AU programs
• Contributes towards sustainable growth and development
• Leads the adoption of measures and strategies on achieving of agenda 2063
• Encourages and provides technical support to Member States in the implementation of policies and programmes in its fields
• Strengthens regional coordination, cooperation and integration initiatives
• Promotes research and publication on different focus areas of APRM

Specific Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership:

• Leads the strategic planning process and the formulation of the annual performance plan and ensures they are communicated to all stakeholders
• Leads the review and submission of the delegations of authority for approval and ensure there is a mechanism to monitor adherence
• Leads the review and revision of organizational protocols and procedures and ensure that operational compliance is monitored
• Drives the establishment of APRM performance and delivery standards and ensure there is a mechanism to monitor and report on progress and achievement
• Leads the establishment of an internal audit function and monitor its functions and outputs
• Leads management to achieve defined delivery and performance targets
• Leads interventions to address Audit qualifications or disclaimers

Integrated Governance:

• Leads the facilitation of organizational vertical and lateral integration and alignment
• Leads the establishment and maintenance of integrated governance practices 
• Leads the integration of the medium-term strategic framework in organizational plans and monitor the implementation and compliance throughout the organization

Financial and Risk Management and Control:

• Leads the approval and establishment of financial norms and standard in accordance with the applicable governance framework
• Leads, oversees, and monitors the establishment of financial and supply chain management, and accounting management and control systems in accordance with the applicable governance framework 
• Leads the establishment of systems to ensure APRM budgets, expenditure and cashflows are managed, controlled, and monitored
• Monitors organizational salary and payroll administration
• Leads and monitors the management of the supply chain in accordance with the applicable governance framework

Corporate Service Management, Support and Delivery:

• Leads and monitors the establishment and maintenance of human resource administration and management systems in accordance with the applicable governance framework 
• Leads and monitors the establishment and maintenance of human resource development systems in accordance with the applicable governance framework 
• Leads and monitors the establishment and maintenance of employee and labour relation systems in accordance with the applicable governance framework
• Leads and monitors the establishment and maintenance of information and communication technology and facilities management systems in accordance with the applicable governance framework

APRM Delivery Management:

• Leads and monitors the development, maintenance, facilitation and implementation of integrated country monitoring, evaluation and country reviews
• Drives and approves the design and implementation of new initiatives and changes to existing initiatives
• Approves and monitors the implementation of short- and long-range organizational monitoring, evaluation and review goals and objectives across the member states
• Evaluates the overall effectiveness and integration of the organization
• Leads the collaboration between the departments to plan schedules and priorities and respond to any major issues

Reporting and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Oversees and approves an engagement plan in line with APRM’s operational strategies and incorporating all the member states
• Leads and oversees the execution of all activities designed to increase APRM’s coverage and ultimately stakeholder collaboration and engagement across all member states
• Oversees and where necessary lead engagement levels to achieve maximum stakeholder satisfaction
• Leads the submission and presentation of reports to the APR Forum/ Summit and other engagement forums
• Oversees the establishment and maintenance of full and proper records of the financial affairs of the APRM
• Oversees the compilation, approval and submission of the annual report and financial statements for each financial year
• Leads and oversees the establishment of effective internal and external communication systems

Functional Leadership:

• Leads and develops staff within the context of the relevant legislation
• Monitors staff performance and provide regular feedback
• Manages staff activities, ensuring service levels are met and protocols are adhered to
• Coaches and supports staff where necessary to achieve objectives
• Manages staff leave and general time management issues in line with organizational deliverables and standards
• Manages and delivers on succession plans to enable the development of a future generation of leaders and specialists and ensure optimal turnover and retention levels are maintained 
• Champions staff training and development through the utilization of available training opportunities or contributing to the development of new training solutions
• Conducts regular performance appraisals with subordinates
• Establishes sound staff and labour organizing and communication structures and systems
• Leads the team towards meeting the strategy and targets through regular communication and utilization of the full organizational talent management tool set
• Develops and manages high-performance multidisciplinary teams in order to solve problems within the APRM
• Conducts regular meetings and ensures that records are kept and shared across the team and that action plans agreed to within team meetings are delivered upon

Effective Teamwork and Self-Management:

• Takes ownership and accountability for tasks and activities and demonstrate effective self-management in terms of planning and prioritizing, and self-development
• Follows through to ensure that quality and productivity standards of work are consistently and accurately maintained
• Informs relevant parties in the event of tasks or deadlines not met, the potential risks thereof and provide appropriate resolution
• Manages colleagues’ expectations and communicate appropriately
• Demonstrates willingness to help others and “go the extra mile” to meet team targets and objectives

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s Degree in Political Science, International Relations or any other related area
• Minimum of 15 years' experience within a complimentary environment with at least 10 years in a senior management role and 5 years at supervisory level A track record of improving organizational integration and effectiveness

Required Skills:

• Ability to use strong managerial delegation, political tact and supervisory skills to achieve documented objectives
• Ability to work effectively with people from various backgrounds and create an environment where diversity is respected
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with top level stakeholders
• Ability to identify key strategic opportunities and risks
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to actively seek, identify and apply appropriate technology to improve programme delivery
• Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability, and decision-making authority with regard to performance management and professional development
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Focus
• Developing Organizational Capability
• Change Leadership
• Strategic Risk Management
• Core Competencies
• Building Partnership
• Drives Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact
• Functional Competencies
• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge Sharing
• Drive for Result
• Fosters Innovation:
• Tenure Of Appointment:
• The appointment will be made on a regular contract for a duration of four (4) years of which the first twelve (12) months shall be considered as a probationary period Thereafter, the term in office can be renewable once

Gender Mainstreaming:

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply

Languages:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswhaili, Portuguese, and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Eligibility:

• In accordance with the principle of Geographical Rotation in the recruitment of the CEO of APRM, candidates from the following geographic regions of the African Union are encouraged to apply

Central Africa: 

• Burundi, Cameroon, Centra African Republic, Chad, Congo, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and São Tomé and Príncipe

East Africa:

• Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania

West Africa:

• Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo

North Africa:

• Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Saharawi Republic and Tunisia

Remuneration

• Indicative basic salary of USD 143,30600 (SP3 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements eg Post adjustment (57% of basic salary), Housing Allowance (rent payment) up to maximum of US$ 72,00000 per annum, and education allowance (100% of tuition and other education-related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10,00000 per child per annum), for internationally recruited staff and a maximum of $3,300 per child per annum for locally recruited staff

Application Closing Date
28th August, 2023 at 11:59pm (EAT).

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Applications must be submitted no later than August 28, 2023 11h59 p.m. EAT.
• Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.
• Only applications registered online with a complete curriculum vitae (CV) attached will be considered. 
• The African Union is an equal-opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.