Senior Officer - Laboratory Systems & Networks (AfCDC) 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: Senior Officer - Laboratory Systems & Networks (AfCDC)

Requisition ID: 1967
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Regular
Division: Africa CDC
Reports to: Head of Laboratory Systems Division
Directorate/Department/Organ: Office of the Director General

Purpose of Job

• The Senior Officer, Laboratory Systems and Networks for the Africa CDC, will be responsible for providing technical assistance in laboratory practice and systems for advancing Africa CDC strategic priorities and initiatives by working through regional implementing partners.
• These programmes and activities are designed to improve the health of the people of Africa through prevention of infections, surveillance and response to emergencies (including outbreaks, man-made and natural disasters, and public health events of regional and international concern) and building capacity to reduce disease burden in the continent.
• In carrying out the work of the Division, the Senior Technical Officer supports the implementation of public health laboratory diagnostic and surveillance activities, workforce development, strengthening of information systems, laboratory networks, and other related health systems strengthening activities.
• Division work will be implemented primarily through Africa CDC Regional Integrated Surveillance and Laboratory Networks (RISLNET), and coordinated by Regional Collaborating Centres, and in collaboration with Member States, National Public Health Institutes, WHO and other technical partners to strengthen capacities and enhance efficiencies of existing public health assets in the region to effectively prevent, rapidly detect, and resolutely respond to current and emerging public health threats, including potential outbreaks and the spread of infectious diseases.
• Factors in terms of the Africa CDC social and environmental will be relevant – including demographic, hardship, travel and other local conditions.

Main Functions
The Senior Officer for Laboratory Systems and Networks under Africa CDC shall:

• Prepare and Implement programmes developed out of the Division’s strategic plan
• Ensure effective coordination and implementation at various levels
• Liaise with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other stakeholders including on relevant matters
• Engage in the preparation and development of reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Division
• Contribute to the development of a resource mobilization strategy with stakeholders Supervise and manage employees under his/her supervision with regard to organization and performance evaluation.
• Conduct complex analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the Division and AU’s internal use, as needed.
• Liaise with the various Departments/Units of ACDC for coordination and alignment purposes
• Contribute to the preparation of budgets for the Division in accordance with relevant frameworks.
• Support the promotion of the activities of the Division including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets as may be required.
• Actively contribute in the development of strategies, policies, programmes and plans

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance to ensure the vision, mission and guiding values of the Africa CDC are developed, communicated, and implemented by Africa CDC Regional Collaborating Centres (RCC)and implementing partners as appropriate;
• Plan, develop, and implement Division specific policy and programme objectives, strategic plans, annual work plans, activity action plans, resource plans and budgets, staff performance plans necessary to achieve core strategies, outcome-oriented goals, and objectives. Evaluate and report on progress;
• Provide expert advice and consultation to Member States, RCC’s, NPHI’s, key stakeholders and partners regarding implementation of Africa CDC laboratory systems strengthening initiatives and programmes. 
• Provide support to emergency preparedness and response, strengthen disease monitoring and surveillance and laboratory systems and health information systems, engage in workforce development and other activities through the regional integrated surveillance and laboratory networks (RISLNET);
• Provide technical assistance to improve laboratory management through implementation of the strengthening of Laboratory Management Towards Accreditation (SLMTA) tool and Stepwise Laboratory Improvement towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) in selected reference laboratories.
• Facilitate and coordinate development of standard operating procedures and monitoring and reporting mechanisms for strengthening regional and national laboratory networks and systems 
• Facilitate and coordinate the development of tools and systems for the analysis, interpretation, and use of laboratory surveillance data for public health policy making and to guide decisions on allocation of public health resources;
• Facilitate and coordinate development of planning tools and reference guidance for regional laboratory surveillance capacity strengthening, working in collaboration with the NHPIs;
• Facilitate and coordinate crosscutting laboratory surveillance support across work units and Regional Collaborating Centres as appropriate.
• Work closely with the office of the Head of Management and Administration to ensure all resource requirements for Unit activity implementation are communicated, processed and delivered.
• Facilitates and ensures monitoring and reporting for Unit expenditures.
• Facilitate and coordinate, and lead when appropriate, the design of technical proposals / programmes and/or write, contribute and/or review proposals for implementation of agency initiatives, programs and projects;
• Facilitate, coordinate and contribute to the development of briefing notes, strategy documents,
• guidelines, and standard operating guidelines.
• Help lead efforts to document results and lessons from projects, in white papers or journal articles.
• Prepare input for reports, slides, and other materials as required;
• Under the direction of the designated Africa CDC Incident Commander, provides technical services delivery in support of Africa CDC Emergency Response activities as appropriate and assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• University Master's Degree in Laboratory Science or a related discipline such as but not limited to Immunology, Microbiology, Virology and Public Health, Epidemiology and Health-services research

Or

• A Bachelor's Degree in similar fields, coupled with seven (7) and ten (10) years relevant work experience is required. Three years out of total work experience should be at expert level.
• A Clinical Degree (e.g., M.D, MPhil, in medicine, nursing or PharmD) AND a Master degree in a related discipline or Doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D., Sc.D. or D.PH.) in a relevant discipline such as, but not limited to, laboratory science, e.g., immunology, microbiology, virology, public health,
• epidemiology, health-services research, health outcomes research, biostatistics, environmental science or decision sciences is preferred.

Required Skills:

• Leadership and Management Skills 
• Knowledge and working understanding of international and regional guidelines for managing medical conditions.
• Interpersonal and negotiation skills 
• Planning and organizational skills 
• Clinical skills.
• Research and analytical skills 
• Ability to work in teams and in a multicultural environment 
• Knowledge and working understanding of Microsoft office suite, stock management software packages and Hospital Information Systems 
• Knowledge and working understanding of AU policies, processes and standards 
• Report writing, communication and presentation skills 
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight
• Developing others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationship
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual thinking
• Job Knowledge and Information Sharing
• Drive for Result
• Continuous Improvement Orientation

 Tenure of Appointment

• The appointment will be made on a regular term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months shall be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.

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, Portuguese, and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$  37,453.00 (P3 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), a Housing allowance of US$  22,932.00 (per annum), and education allowance (100% of tuition and other education-related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10,000.00 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
5th October, 2023; 11h59 p.m. EAT

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.
• Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas, Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.
• The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.