Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) Manager (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: Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) Manager (AfCDC)

Requisition ID: 2043
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Head of Division Emergency Preparedness and Response
Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC
Division: Division of Preparedness and Response
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Fixed-Term

Purpose of Job

• The Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) Manager is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Africa CDC's Public Health Emergency Operations Center.
• This includes ensuring that the PHEOC is prepared to respond to public health emergencies, coordinating its activities during an emergency, and evaluating its effectiveness.

Main Functions

• Provide technical and intellectual support in the management of various elements related to the area of expertise.
• Identify best practices and monitor the effectiveness of the Office’s support to Africa CDC.
• Assist in the development of strategies and business continuity plans and participate in/ensure their implementation.
• Foster and ensure the implementation of initiatives related to the area of specialization.
• Assist in the organization of thematic networks, consultations, and meetings on development cooperation and international relations.
• Develop materials and provide necessary training and support to Organization Units as required.
• Provide technical guidance on matters relating to system review and implementation projects in the area of specialization, as required.

Specific Responsibilities

• Ensure that the PHEOC is prepared to respond to public health emergencies, including developing and maintaining plans and procedures, training staff, and conducting related exercises.
• Lead and manage the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) team within the Division of Preparedness and Response at Africa CDC.
• Coordinate and oversee the implementation of PHEOC activities, including emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
• Develop and update PHEOC policies, procedures, guidelines, and tools in alignment with the Africa CDC Incident Management System and the International Health Regulations.
• Ensure effective communication and information sharing among PHEOC staff, partners, stakeholders, and Member States during public health emergencies.
• Provide technical guidance and support to Member States and Regional Collaborating Centers on PHEOC establishment, functionality, and performance.
• Monitor and evaluate the PHEOC operations, outputs, and outcomes and report on the progress and challenges.
• Manage the PHEOC budget, resources, staff, and equipment and ensure compliance with donor requirements and Africa CDC regulations.
• Represent the PHEOC in internal and external meetings, workshops, trainings, and conferences and advocate for PHEOC priorities and needs.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, learning, and innovation within the PHEOC team and across the Division of Preparedness and Response.
• Coordinate the activities of the PHEOC during an emergency, including ensuring that the necessary resources are available, communicating with stakeholders, and making decisions.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the PHEOC's response to public health emergencies and make recommendations for improvement.
• Build partnerships with other organizations to support the PHEOC's work, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other international organizations.
• Represent the Africa CDC at regional and international meetings and events related to public health emergency management.
• Publish articles and reports on the PHEOC's work.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Director of Preparedness and Response or the Director of Africa CDC.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master's Degree or Bachelor Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Disaster Management, or a related field, with at least seven (7) or ten (10) years of relevant work experience, out of which at least three (3) years should be at the supervisory level in public health, with a focus on emergency management.
• PhD in Public Health or a related field is a plus.
• Experience in coordinating international responses to public health emergencies.
• Experience in writing and publishing scientific articles.
• Experience in networking and building partnerships.
• Proven experience in leading and managing multidisciplinary teams in complex and dynamic environments.
• Experience in strategic planning, program development, budgeting, and resource mobilization for public health emergency preparedness and response.
• Proven experience in coordinating and collaborating with multiple stakeholders, including governments, donors, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society organizations.
• Technical expertise in public health emergency operations center design, establishment, operation, and evaluation.
• Knowledge of the International Health Regulations (2005) and other relevant frameworks and guidelines for public health emergency preparedness and response.
• Proven ability to manage and coordinate complex projects.
• Experience in managing and operating a PHEOC.

Required Skills:

• Excellent leadership skills.
• Communication, advocacy, and representation skills for public health emergency issues at regional and global levels.
• Proficiency in any AU working languages; fluency in English and French is highly preferred, while working knowledge of other African languages is an asset.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

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 Results
• Continuous Improvement Orientation

Tenure of Appointment

• The appointment will be made on a fixed-term contract for a period of one (1) year, with the first three (3) months considered as a probationary period.
• Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance, and agreed 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, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory, and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$  96,921.34 (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 78,461.08 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
1st December, 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 certificates in line with the area of expertise.
• The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Candidates from less represented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles. These countries include Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Sahrawi D.R., Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, and Tunisia.