Project Management Expert (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: Project Management Expert (AfCDC)

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Project Coordinator
Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC
Division: Office of the Deputy Director
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Purpose of Job

• Under the guidance and supervision of the PIU Project Coordinator, the Project Management Expert will work closely with technical focal points from various divisions of Africa CDC and the WB team to support implementation and monitoring of the daily activities of the Project while maintaining project development guidelines, procedures, and timelines.

Main Functions

• Provide technical and intellectual support and guidance in the design, planning, and management of Africa CDC projects, under the direction of the Project Coordinator.
• Assist in the development of guidelines, policies, and manuals that can guide programs, system improvement initiatives, and overall decision-making by higher management in the respective area of expertise.
• Support the Project Coordinator in coordinating and delivering the project, ensuring compliance with the Project Appraisal Document (PAD), financing agreement, and all relevant AU and World Bank operational policies and guidelines.
• Assist in managing day-to-day project activities at the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), including providing guidance and support to the PIU staff.
• Assist in the preparation and updating of annual work plans and procurement plans for the project and oversee their execution and reporting.
• Contribute to the preparation of project Monitoring and Evaluation reports based on the project's results framework.
• Assist in planning the Project Technical Steering Committee and internal coordination meetings.
• Contribute to the overall communication of project activities to key stakeholders.
• Support knowledge management, sharing, and networking between participating countries, Africa CDC, World Bank, and other partner institutions.
• Provide advice to the Project Coordinator on technical and management issues that require timely intervention.
• Review deliverables and ensure accurate and timely submission of progress reports.
• Assist in conducting training for PIU and relevant staff of Africa CDC and AU Departments.
• Liaise with the World Bank Country and Regional Offices throughout the project cycle, under the guidance of the Project Coordinator.
• Support the facilitation of supervision missions by the Bank and other relevant stakeholders.
• Assist the Africa CDC Director in managing the project's technical steering committee.
• Perform any other duties related to the successful implementation of the project as assigned by the Project Coordinator

Specific Responsibilities
Project Design, Planning, and Implementation:

• Support the coordination and management of the implementation of projects under the Africa CDC, ensuring that they are implemented according to schedule, budget, and quality standards.
• Support development and maintenance of project plans, schedules, and budgets, and monitor progress towards project goals and objectives.
• Work closely with project teams to identify and address implementation challenges and ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Project Monitoring and Reporting:

• Support to monitor project progress and report on projects status to Africa CDC leadership, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Assist in conducting regular project review meetings and prepare progress reports, including identification of areas for improvement.
• Support the project coordinator to ensure that project deliverables are completed according to quality standards.

Technical and Administrative Support:

• Support administrative and operational aspects of the project’s implementation, including assistance with procurement, logistics, and financial management.
• Ensure the project develops and maintains project files, including contracts, agreements, and other relevant documents.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Working closely with the project coordinator, build and maintain relationships with project stakeholders, including the donors, partners, and other relevant organizations.
• Support the project coordinator to ensure that the project stakeholders are regularly informed about project progress and results.

Donor Compliance:

• Support in ensuring compliance with donor guidelines by coordinating and overseeing the implementation of projects in accordance with the requirements of the donor.

Training and Capacity Building:

• Support the project coordinator to provide training and capacity building support to PIU staff and project teams to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the donor's guidelines and compliance requirements. This may include training on financial management, procurement, reporting, and other related topics.
• Support to organize team building sessions to ensure synergy of the PIU team.
• Perform any other related duties as may be assigned.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master's Degree in Project Management, Public Health, Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy or any other related discipline and 7 years of continuous experience that relates to work implementing/coordinating public health programmes and/or other public or private sector programmes within a governmental agency, multi-lateral agency, academic institution, research organization or a private company and three (3) years at expert level.                  

Or 

• Bachelor's in Public Management, Public Health, Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy  or any other related discipline and 10 years of continuous experience that relates to work implementing/coordinating public health programmes and/or other public or private sector programmes within a governmental agency, multi-lateral agency, academic institution, research organization or a private company and three (3) years at expert level.
• Clear understanding of African health systems and fair knowledge of operations of the Ministry of health in Member States is required.
• Deep understanding of the way of working and managing associated relationships with Member State entities and partners is desirable.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated project planning and management skills for organizing, planning, and executing projects from conception through implementation.
• Excellent administrative skills and ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Excellent diplomatic, representational, inter-personal and communication skills, and ability to interact with stakeholders and decision-makers in technical and other professional settings.
• Ability to translate highly technical information into presentations, briefings and report and funding proposals for both technical and lay audiences.
• Resourcefulness and skills at collecting, analyzing and using data to recommend, make and communicate decisions of a technical nature for both technical and lay audiences.
• Demonstrated ability with regard to computer skills, including excellent word-processing capabilities, proficiency with e-mail and internet applications and experience in using office software applications such as MS Excel, Power Point and Word.
• Pro-active and solutions oriented.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, stay on track and meet deadlines.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Leadership Competencies:

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

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationships
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Communicating with Influence

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Continuous improvement orientation
• 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