Coordinator, Civilian Human Rights 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 Organisation 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 of:

Job Title: Coordinator, Civilian Human Rights

Requisition ID: 867
Location: Bangui, CAR
Organization: African Union Commission – AUC
Reports to: SRCC
Directorate/Department : PAPS/Conflict Management
Division: Central Africa Desk
Number of Direct Reports: 2
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P4
Contract  Type: Fixed-term

Purpose of Job

• The Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) and fourteen (14) armed groups (AGs) signed a Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation (PAPR-RCA) on 6 February 2019, with the assistance of the African Union (AU), the support of the Economic Community of Central African States and the United Nations. This agreement contains many provisions relating to security arrangements, including political and governance issues; reconciliation; and approximation, which must be implemented in the short and medium term. The AU is the guarantor of the implementation of this peace agreement.
• A Coordinator of Civilian Human Rights Observers will be deployed to CAR to provide technical support for the implementation of human rights and gender provisions in the CAR peace agreement. Under the direct supervision of the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission and the Head of the AU Mission in CAR, he/she will coordinate the activities of human rights observers and will be responsible, in accordance with the provisions of the PAPR, for issues related to the promotion and protection of human rights with particular attention to vulnerable persons (women, children, the elderly etc.) and the promotion of gender mainstreaming in coordination with partners in CAR. Promote and enforce the instruments and commitments of the African Union, as well as UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and subsequent resolutions on women, peace and security.

Main Functions

• Provide technical and intellectual support in the management of various partnerships relevant for the division and directorate;
• Identify best practices and monitor effectiveness of the division/directorate’s support to AU;
• Contribute to the development of the departmental strategies and business continuity plan and participate in/ensure their implementation
• Involve in negotiations;
• Foster and ensure implementation of large-scale and long-term initiatives related to strategic partnerships;
• Support the organization of thematic networks, consultations and meetings on development cooperation and international relations;
• Develop training materials and provide necessary training and support to Organization Units;
• Provide technical resource allocation and policy guidance on matters relating to system -Implementation projects and maintenance.

Specific Responsibilities

• Promote respect for human rights in all aspects of the implementation of the PAPR in CAR;
• Submit regular reports on violations of human rights and international humanitarian law to the Head of MISAC and the AU Commission for consideration by the Peace and Security Council;
• Support the efforts of local authorities by providing them with advice to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights and respect for the rule of law and gender integration within Central African institutions;
• Liaise, coordinate and monitor activities, projects with national and international human rights institutions and focal points;
• Identify and specify human rights and gender needs for advisory services and technical cooperation, including the preparation and conduct of assessment missions;
• Prepare analytical briefings, briefing notes and reports to the AU Commission on gender and human rights issues specific to CAR, as well as on the Women, Peace and Security Programme;
• Prepare a regular report on the issue of peace and security for women and men for the Knowledge Management Platform on Peace, Security and Gender;
• Support and popularize the implementation of relevant AU and UN guidelines on gender equality and women’s empowerment in CAR;
• Provide training and guidance to inform the development of gender-sensitive policies and operational tools for different institutions in CAR;
• Contribute to the consolidation and documentation of good practices and lessons learned from the programme for peace and security of human rights, gender and women’s rights and ensure their integration into policy development and review processes;
• Assist the AU Mission in CAR (MISAC) in the design and implementation of a mission-wide action plan for the promotion of gender equality and human rights to translate existing policies and mandates for the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment;
• Ensure coordination with other national humanitarian coordination mechanisms on gender-based violence, such as the subgroup/working group on protection and subgroups on gender-based violence, as well as coordination with relevant national institutions and NGOs;
• Ensure collaboration with regional and United Nations partners in the field by identifying critical areas of support and promoting complementarity in human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment;
• Undertake awareness-raising activities on human rights and gender issues in the country;
• Perform any other tasks as directed by the supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Master’s Degree in International Law, Human Rights, Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Social Sciences, with 10 years’ experience in the field of human rights related field with a government, NGO, think tank or similar multilateral, regional or international institution which 6 years should be at expert/specialist and 3 years at supervisory level

Or

• Bachelor in similar studies with 12 years relevant experience.
• This experience should include human rights promotion, protection, monitoring and reporting, and advocacy. Experience in promoting gender equality in a post-conflict setting outside the candidate’s country of nationality is desirable.
• Must have excellent presentation and writing skills in French and an excellent knowledge of current political, social and economic developments in Africa (particularly in CAR);
• Must be able to work with a team of professionals and demonstrate creativity and initiative, as well as conduct strategic analysis, reports and briefs under pressure;

Required Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Sound planning and organizational skills
• Ability to negotiate diplomatically
• Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority with regard to performance management and professional development
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic) and  fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage

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 Sharing
• Drive for result
• 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 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, Portuguese, and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 113,614.67 (P4 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$  96,922.19  inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Deadline: 24th December, 2021.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online