Senior Technical Officer - Community Health Services (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 - Community Health Services (AfCDC)

Requisition ID: 2563
Location: Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Reports to: Head of Division, Community Health System and Integrated Service Delivery  
Directorate/Department: Primary Healthcare Center
Division: Community Health Systems and Integrated Service delivery
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Main Functions

• Under the supervision of the Head of Division, Community Health Services and Integrated Service Delivery, the Senior Technical Officer, Community Health Services will be responsible for carrying out a variety of technical and programme management and implementation activities in the area of primary Health care, Community Health Systems and its broader linkages to the prevention and control of infectious Diseases, (NCDs), endemic diseases in service of Regional Collaborating Centers (RCC) and National Public Health Institutes (NPHI) activities and programmes in AU Member States.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide technical support and advice to Member States in the implementation of the Africa CDC Community Health Systems strategies and assessing the needs for developing and implementing Community Health Systems strategies and action plans.
• Provide technical guidance to the Africa CDC leadership, RCCs, CHW TWG and capacity building support to Member States on areas related to community Health Systems strengthening.
• Support the CHW Unit Strategy implementation part of the overall Africa CDC strategic plan.
• Support the advocacy and coordination role for harmonized approaches and optimal resource utilization at Africa CDC, RCCs, Partners and Member States for strong and sustainable Community Health Systems at all levels.
• Support the coordination of external relations ( Technical Partners, Donors) in partnership with the Community Health Systems Lead, including regular communications, meetings, presentations and thought partnerships.
• Through Existing National Strategies and with support from other organizations, fill gaps, foster synergies, and continue collaboration to strengthen community health systems in Member States.
• Support the Community Health Worker Unit Resource Mobilization through Community Health System proposal's development.
• Provide technical input with regards to design, implementation, data analysis, report writing for public health, social and operational research, and policy briefs.
• Support the monitoring and reporting of outputs, outcomes, lessons learned, and challenges for activities of the Division of disease control and prevention.
• Build and maintain strong collaborations and relationships with partners interested in strengthening Community Health Systems on the continent.
• Undertake any other duties/responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master of Science in Community Health Sciences, in public health, epidemiology, Nursing or related fields with 7 years with a work experience in African Health Sector out of which 2 years are at expert level.
• Bachelor’s degree in community health science, public health, Nursing or related fields with 10 years of experience in African Health Sector out of which 2 years are at expert level.
• Technical expertise and experience in supporting public health programmes with special emphasis on Community Health Systems strengthening.
• Strong scientific leadership with proven skills in facilitation and coordination of public health programmes and motivating and developing people.
• Experience working with an international organization is a valuable asset.
• Demonstrable experience and in-depth knowledge of operations of the Africa CDC, Regional Collaborating Centers and National Public Health Institutes will be preferred.
• Clear understanding of the health systems on the Continent and fair knowledge of operations of the Ministries of Health in Member States.
• Knowledge and experience in supporting Community Health Systems strengthening, or  other public sector projects and programmes under government ministries and external donors.
• Knowledge of public health issues in Africa.

Required Skills:

• Resourcefulness and skills at collecting, analyzing and using data to recommend, make and communicate decisions of technical nature to both scientific and lay audiences.
• Strong technical and scientific writing skills, in addition to narrative and technical reporting skills.
• Skills in translating technical information into presentations, briefings and reports and funding proposals for both technical and lay audiences.
• Familiarity with administrative and management practice and processes typically employed by public health and other public sector programmes.
• Skills and abilities to lead people toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals and provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills and a proven ability to deliver under tight deadlines and works well under pressure.
• Excellent skills and abilities applied to translating technical information into presentations, briefings and report and funding proposals for both technical and lay audiences.
• Knowledge of oral communication techniques and skill in presentation delivery, programme consultation and credible verbal response to inquiries.
• Good interpersonal relationship practices and skills to meet and deal with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrable 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 and PowerPoint.

Leadership Competencies:

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

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Accountability awareness and Compliance
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Job Knowledge and information sharing:
• Drive for Result
• Continuous Improvement Focus.

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 Mainstreaming:

• Africa CDC 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.

Application Closing Date
31st January, 2025, 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.
• 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.