Director - Ethics, Integrity & Standards 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: Director - Ethics, Integrity & Standards

Req Id: 2609
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Chairperson
Directorate/Department/Organ: Ethics, Integrity & Standards
Division: Ethics, Integrity & Standards
Number of Direct Reports: 4
Number of Indirect Reports: 14
Job Grade: D1
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• The Director of Ethics, Integrity, and Standards offers strategic direction and leadership in handling ethical issues within the organization.
• This position ensures the effective management of ethical concerns by providing confidential and sound advice. It focuses on ensuring the organization adheres to legal standards, ethical guidelines, and internal policies.

Main Functions

• Develop and align departmental strategy with the organization's goals.
• Implement and monitor policies, strategies, and programs.
• Supervise and manage employees, ensuring goal delivery and performance evaluation.
• Oversee personnel, budget, performance, quality, employee relations, and training.
• Ensure annual targets are met and maintain monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Develop operating rules and procedures for business continuity.
• Provide technical leadership and ensure efficient functioning of all divisions.
• Foster good working relations with other departments and senior stakeholders.
• Coordinate meetings with partners and prepare financial and budget reports.
• Manage funds and oversee policy development in line with the legal framework.
• Design policies to address relevant issues and manage risks.
• Oversee integrated programs and implement thematic partnerships.

Specific Responsibilities
Ethics:

• Provide confidential ethical advice to staff and management in line with organizational values, Code of Conduct, regulations, and rules.
• Manage the implementation of ethical policies and guidelines across all Union Organs and offices through awareness sessions and sensitization of staff and senior management.
• Provide ethical leadership training to management.
• Develop and implement relevant rules, policies, and procedures for the Ethics Office.
• Ensure the management of Ethics Office personnel, budget, performance, quality, and training in conformity with the Code of Ethics and Conduct.
• Lead and direct compliance issues and ensure the proper implementation of policies approved by the Commission.
• Promote ethical compliance and standards of AU values within Union Organs and advise the Chairperson and heads of all organs and offices on ethical matters.
• Develop, initiate, maintain, and revise policies and procedures for the general operation of the Ethics Program to prevent illegal, unethical, or improper conduct.
• Collaborate with other departments (e.g., Legal Counsel, Internal Audit, Administration and Human Resource) to ensure compliance with the Code of Ethics and Conduct.
• Promote confidentiality and execute responsibilities in a prudent and judicious manner.
• Manage and implement the harassment policy and system.
• Receive, inquire, and address ethics-related complaints from all Union Organs.
• Provide guidance to AUC management and other AU organs to ensure adherence to rules, policies, procedures, and practices with the highest standards of integrity.
• Support services in assessing organizational risk related to misconduct and non-compliance with the Code of Ethics and Conduct.
• Monitor program performance and support periodic measurements of program effectiveness.
• Ensure confidentiality and protection of staff against retaliation for reporting misconduct and cooperating with authorized audits or investigations.
• Participate in management meetings and provide ethical advice.
• Support services in executing the mandatory ethics training program.
• Manage the yearly ethics training certification by staff and elected officials and report to the Chairperson accordingly.
• Promote staff awareness on ethical standards and behavior.
• Manage the implementation of programs, including the gift and financial disclosure program.
• Prepare periodic reports on the status of implementation of the Code of Ethics and Conduct and relevant policies and guidelines.
• Manage the performance of staff in the Ethics Office.
• Prepare and submit the Annual Ethics Report to the PRC through the Chairperson.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Ethics Office.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Administrative Justice:

• Coordinate administrative and budgetary support to autonomous offices within the Directorate, including the Administrative Tribunal, Ombudsman, and Disciplinary Board.
• Oversees strategies for the effective administration of justice across Union Organs.
• Lead and collaborate with heads of autonomous offices to establish and implement a comprehensive strategy for the administration of justice across all Union Organs.
• Build and maintain strategic relations with the other related departments Like Human Resources Directorate , Finance Directorate, Office of Legal Counsel. 
• Organize and coordinate meetings between the African Union Commission and other organs, agencies, and relevant offices.
• Collaborates with the Administrative Tribunal to ensure fair and transparent resolution of disputes in compliance with AU regulations.
• Supports the Disciplinary Board in ensuring adherence rules and regulation including ethical guidelines and addressing mis conducts.
• Facilitates the development of robust policies and procedures for disciplinary actions while maintaining impartiality.
• Strengthens the Ombudsman’s role in providing independent resolution mechanisms for workplace grievances.

Dispute Settlement:

• Provide guidance to African Union management and other AU organs to ensure adherence to rules, policies, procedures, and practices with the highest standards of integrity.
• Ensure confidentiality and protection of staff against retaliation for reporting misconduct and cooperating with authorized audits or investigations.
• Ensures grievances and disputes are handled in a timely manner.
• Receive, inquire, and address ethics-related complaints from all Union Organs.
• Providing an annual report on the status of grievances and advising the Human Resources Directorate on grievance management and tribunal cases.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Master’s in Law (LL.M.): in Public Policy (MPP): in Public Administration (MPA): in Business Administration (MBA): in Ethics or Applied Ethics:  with 15 years relevant work experience out of which 8 years should be at a managerial level and 5 years need to be in a supervisory role.

Desired Certifications:

• Certified in Ethics and compliance. 

Required Skills:

• Leadership skills 
• Ability to achieve documented objectives and meet timelines 
• Interpersonal and negotiation skills: Ability to work effectively with people from various backgrounds and create an environment where diversity is respected 
• Communication, presentation and report writing skills 
• Computer literacy 
• Ability to work in teams 
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic, Kiswahili and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight
• Change Management
• Managing Risk.

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationships
• Accountable and Complies with Rules
• 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 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 official working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Kiswahili, Arabic or Spanish) is required and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage.

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$ 78,138.00 (D1 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 26,208.00 (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
18th April,, 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.
• Africa CDC 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.