Director of African Migration Observatory 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 below:

Job Title: Director of African Migration Observatory

Requisition ID: 662
Duty Station: Rabat, Morocco
Organization: African Union Commission – AUC
Reports to: Commissioner, HHS  
Directorate / Department: African Migration Observatory/ HHS
Division: Office of the Director
Number of Direct Reports: 2
Number of Indirect Reports: 8
Grade: D1

Purpose of the Job

• Reporting to the Governing Board of the Observatory and the Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, the Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the Observatory.
• S/he is responsible for providing leadership and direction for programmes and activities of the Observatory, and providing strategic planning, overall supervision, management and institutional representation of the Observatory in fulfilment of its mission, goals, and strategic objectives.
• The Director supervises, and has line authority over the Deputy Director and other leadership posts within the Observatory’s Secretariat, and other professional and support staff.
• In addition to leading the day-to-day activities, the Director organizes and coordinates the overall operation of the Observatory, ensuring efficiency and cost effectiveness.
• The  Director acts as authorizing officer of the Observatory and proposes to the Commission strategic alliances and partnerships for the joint execution of programs and activities with partners as well as mobilization of resources; Under the general guidance of the Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development and in collaboration with the staff,
• S/he must annually develop and submit to the approval of the Commissioner for  Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development the program of activities with supporting budget, as well as the report on implementation and outcomes, including financial statements.

Main Function
The Director of the African Migration Observatory shall:

• Lead, plan, coordinate and manage all activities of the Observatory. 
• Ensure the vision, mission and guiding values of the Observatory are developed, communicated, and implemented at all levels. 
• Promote an accountable, ethical, informed and transparent organizational culture and way of doing business.
• Develop strategic goals and objectives and provide leadership and guidance in the development of supporting policy and programme plans.
• Serve as the chief spokesperson for the Observatory, and represent the Observatory in all internal and external activities. 
• Advocate on behalf of the Board and the Observatory at large to ensure that the positions and actions of the Observatory are successfully presented to all interested parties.
• Ensure the agency has an annual work-plan in place, along with the financial resources necessary to achieve its core functions, outcome-oriented goals, and objectives.  

Specific Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and implement the Observatory’s policy and programme objectives, plans, and evaluate progress.
• Ensure coordination of the Observatory’s activities in collaboration with other multi-lateral, continental, regional and national migration statistics institutions and partners.
• Represent the agency at all meetings, conferences or similar venues where the Observatory seeks to be recognised to advance its mission and strategic goals.
• Provide direction and leadership in the areas of technical assistance, capacity building and compilation and dissemination of statistics on migration on the Continent. 
• Provide expert advice to the Board and other Advisory Boards, the African Union and its Member States, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), key stakeholders and partners regarding migration data priorities, policies and related activities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with the Board and other Advisory Boards and key stakeholders, other government agencies, academic institutions, and key partner organizations. 
• Work closely with the Board and the Secretariat to effectively carry out the Board’s governance roles.
• Present the annual budget to the Board and African Union Commission in keeping with established processes and timelines.
• Promote and foster an employment culture at the Observatory that attracts and retains highly qualified staff, and ensure the appropriate mentoring and continuing education for staff’s professional growth and success.
• In partnership with the Board, provide leadership and direction in efforts to identify and secure technical assistance support for the Observatory’s programmes and initiatives.
• Perform any other functions in line with the objectives of the Observatory and as entrusted by the Commission.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s Degree in a relevant discipline such as, but not limited to Statistics, Demography, Social Sciences or related disciplines with fifteen (15) years of relevant and progressively responsible experience with eight (8) and five (5) years of managerial and supervisory experience respectively, with wide powers to lead and manage national, regional or global programmes.
• Mastery of technical expertise and experience in the management of complex programmes with special emphasis on statistics and training/capacity building and related activities.
• Comprehensive knowledge and expert skill in application of planning, budgeting, assessment, and evaluation techniques.
• Proven track record in fund raising for large-scale projects.
• Practical experience in compilation of statistics and training/capacity building in any setting, including a governmental/inter-governmental agency, academic institution or research organization is required.
• Experience in working with institutional boards is desired.

Required Skills:

• Ability to manage complex operations and teams; ability to apply effective leadership and interpersonal skills through use of strategic thinking, team and project leadership, decision-making skills and personnel development – including proven skills in supervision, team building, and motivating and developing people.
• Ability to analyze and respond to emerging trends in migration, and to develop, apply and adjust programme strategies and policies to organizational mission, goals and objectives.
• Expert ability to conceptualize, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate organizational programmes.
• Expert ability to establish priorities among competing interests and resolve arising conflicts is required.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and diplomacy as required to initiate and develop public- and private-sector partnerships for support and collaboration on migration issues and programmes.
• Able to operate in a multicultural environment.
• High level of autonomy at work, yet with profound team-spirit.
• Adaptive, patient, resilient and flexible.
• Pro-active and solutions oriented.
• High level of interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written), tact, and sensitivity in the performance of duties.
• Outstanding representational skills and experience to interact effectively with senior-level officials within the organization and other key stakeholders in both public and private-sector organizations.
• Excellent negotiation and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated computer skills, including excellent word-processing capabilities, proficiency with e-mail and internet applications, experience in using office software programs such as MS Excel, Power Point and Word;
• Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish) is required. Knowledge of one or more of the other AU working languages would be an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Focus
• Developing Organisational Capability
• Change Leadership
• Strategic Risk Management

Core Competencies:

• Building Partnerships
• Drives Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact.

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Fosters Innovation

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.

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
26th July, 2021.

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

Gender Mainstreaming
The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.