Senior Technical Officer - Endemic Diseases & NTDs (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 Technical Officer - Endemic Diseases & NTDs (AfCDC)

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Head of NCDI
Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC
Division: NCDI
Number of Direct Reports:
Number of Indirect Reports:
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Purpose of Job

• The Senior Technical Officer (STO) – Endemic Diseases & NTDs will play a crucial role in supporting the Africa CDC's efforts to combat endemic diseases and NTDs in AU Member States.
• This position will contribute to the development and implementation of strategies, policies, and programs that enhance national and regional capacity for the prevention, control, elimination, and surveillance of these diseases.

Main Functions
This job involves the following main functions that are generally applicable for this category:

• Provide technical support in the preparation and implementation of 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 on relevant matters.
• Prepare and develop reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Division.
• Provide technical support for the development of resource mobilization strategy with stakeholders coordination.
• Manage and supervise 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.
• Liaise with the various Departments/Units of the Commission for coordination and alignment purposes.
• Prepare 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
Strategic Planning and Program Development:

• Coordinate the development and implementation of strategic plans and programs for the control and elimination of specific endemic diseases and NCDs in Africa, aligned with the Africa CDC's strategic priorities and regional public health needs.
• Develop and manage work plans and budgets for assigned programs.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of programs and report findings to relevant stakeholders.

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building:

• Provide technical assistance to AU Member States in strengthening their national programs for the control and elimination of endemic diseases and NCDs.
• Develop and implement training programs for healthcare workers and other stakeholders on various aspects of endemic disease and NCD control and elimination.
• Conduct assessments and develop capacity building plans to address specific challenges in endemic disease and NCD control in AU Member States.

Surveillance and Data Management:

• Strengthen national and regional surveillance systems for endemic diseases and NCDs.
• Analyze and interpret data on the burden and distribution of endemic diseases and NCDs in Africa.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of guidelines and protocols for surveillance, case management, and treatment of endemic diseases and NCDs.

Advocacy and Resource Mobilization:

• Advocate for increased political commitment and resource mobilization for the control and elimination of endemic diseases and NCDs at national and regional levels.
• Develop and implement communication strategies to raise awareness about the burden and impact of endemic diseases and NCDs.
• Foster collaboration and partnerships with national, regional, and international stakeholders to support endemic disease and NCD control and elimination efforts.
• Perform any other duty as assigned

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master's Degree in public health (MPH), Tropical Medicine, Infectious Disease Control, or a related field from an accredited university with at least 7 years of working on public health programs for the control and elimination of endemic diseases or NCDs, preferably in Africa out of which at least three (3) years should be at expert level.

       Or

• Bachelor’s Degree Public Health (MPH), Tropical Medicine, Infectious Disease Control, or a related field from an accredited university with at least 10 years of working on public health programs for the control and elimination of endemic diseases or NCDs, preferably in Africa out of which at least three (3) years should be at expert level.
• A Ph.D. in a relevant field is an advantage.
• Experience in program development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation is highly desirable.
• Experience working with international organizations and collaborating with stakeholders at various levels is an advantage.

Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of the epidemiology, burden, and control strategies for endemic diseases and NTDs in Africa.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders in a resource-limited setting.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with data analysis and statistical software is an advantage.
• Fluency in English and any other AU official language is an asset.
• Commitment to the mission and vision of the Africa CDC.

Leadership Competencies:

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

Core Competencies:

• Learning Orientation
• Building Relationships
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Communicating with impact

Functional Competencies:

• Drive for Results
• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Continuous Improvement Orientation

Tenure of Appointment:

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be 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 Mainstream:

• 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
7th June, 2024.

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