Project Coordinator at the African Union

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 Coordinator (AfCDC)

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Director General of Africa CDC
Directorate/Department/Organ: Office of the Director General
Division:Office of the Director General
Number of Direct Reports: 
Number of Indirect Reports: 
Job Grade: P5
Contract Type: Fixed term

Purpose of Job

• Coordinate and manage the implementation of projects under the Africa CDC, ensuring that they are implemented according to schedule, budget, quality standards, and African Union/Africa CDC and partners’ guidelines

Main Functions

• Provide technical and strategic support and guidance in the design, planning and management of Africa CDC projects.
• Take charge of development of guidelines, policies and manuals that can guide programmes, system improvement initiatives and overall decision making by higher management in the respective area of expertise.
• Lead in the overall coordination and implementation of the project, in accordance with the Project Appraisal Document (PAD), the financing agreement, and all relevant AU and World Bank operational policies and guidelines.
• Manage day-to-day project activities at the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), including supervising, providing guidance and support to the PIU staff working under him/her.
• Liaise with the World Bank Task Team for requisitions and required No Objections for the implementation of activities.
• Oversee the overall financial and procurement functions of the project as per the project’s grant agreement and ensure that all procurement and financial activities are in compliance with set AU Financial Rules and Regulations.
• Oversee overall communication of project activities to key stakeholders.
• Facilitate and support knowledge management, sharing and networking between the participating countries, Africa CDC, World Bank and other partner institutions.
• Advise the Director General/Deputy Director General on technical and management issues that require timely intervention.
• Review all deliverables and ensure accurate and timely submission of progress reports.
• Conduct 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. 
• Facilitate the task of supervision missions by the Bank and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support the Africa CDC Directors, Divisions and Units in managing the project’s technical steering committee
• Prepare and update the annual work plans and budgets and procurement plans for the project and oversee their execution and reporting on the same.
• Facilitate the preparation of project Monitoring and Evaluation reports based on the project’s results framework.
• Facilitate and lead the development of the Project Reports every six months per the grant’s Financing Agreement. 
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of the project financial reports. This will include quarterly. unaudited interim financial reports as well as annual audit reports
• Plan and lead the Project Technical Steering Committee and internal coordination meetings. 
• Ensure the project is in compliance with World Bank’s Legal Covenants and Environmental and Social Standards. 

Specific Responsibilities
Project Design, Planning, and Implementation:

• Coordinate and manage the implementation of projects under the Africa CDC, ensuring that they are implemented according to schedule, budget, quality standards, and African Union/Africa CDC and partners’ guidelines. 
• Develop and maintain 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:

• With support of the M&E specialist, monitor project progress and report on project status to Africa CDC leadership, donors, and other stakeholders. 
• Work with the M&E specialist to conduct regular project review meetings and prepare progress reports, including identification of areas for improvement. 
• Work with project teams to ensure that project deliverables are completed according to quality standards. 

Technical and Administrative Support:

• Provide leadership on administrative and operational aspects of the project including assistance with procurement, logistics, safeguards, and financial management. 
• Ensure the project develops and maintains project files, including contracts, agreements, and other relevant documents. 

Stakeholder Engagement: 

• Build and maintain relationships with project stakeholders, including the donors, partners, and other relevant organizations. 
• Ensure that project stakeholders are regularly informed about project progress and results. 
• Work with program staff to identify and pursue new project opportunities. 
• Facilitate interactions and dialogue between Africa CDC technical divisions and interested partners and stakeholders. 

Donor Compliance Internal Main Functions:

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

Training and Capacity Building:

• 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 in financial management, procurement, reporting, and other related topics. 
• Organize team building sessions to ensure synergy of the PIU team.
• Perform any other duties related to the successful implementation of the project as required.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master's Degree in Project Management, Public Health, Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy  or any other related discipline with twelve (12) years’ experience of continuous experience that relates to work coordinating public health programmes within an international public health organization,  governmental agency, academic institution, research organization or a private company  of which seven (7) years should be at managerial level and five (5) years at supervisory level. 
• Experience in coordination of management and operations portfolios and other executive level support.
• Experience in the preparation of operational work plans, operational guidance, and policies, and contributing programmatic input into scientific and programmatic plans and technical proposals for advancing initiatives and programmes in either public or private sector domains.
• Demonstrable experience in drafting budgets and Programme reporting documentation for executive level consumption.
• Demonstrable experience in supervising and leading teams and individuals, and delegating tasks and authority.
• In-depth knowledge of public health issues in Africa and previous experience working in Africa.
• Previous experience managing World Bank projects would be an added advantage.
• Experience in private sector communication agencies and public relations firms will also be an added advantage.
• Experience in the coordination of business services of large public health programmes is preferred.
• Clear understanding of African health systems and fair knowledge of operations of the Ministry of health in Member States
• Deep understanding of the way of working and managing associated relationships with Member State entities and partners.

Required Skills:

• Knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of translating public health science and technical information and practice into the development of sound public health service delivery and research programmes.
• Knowledge and understanding of management and operational policies, procedures and systems supporting critical and routine Programme operations in a public health or other public sector context.
• Knowledge and understanding of Programme management support systems and processes, including financial management, human resources management, procurement, grants and contracts administration, information technology networks and equipment, travel, facilities management, and other functions.
• Leadership and management 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.
• Pro-active and solutions oriented.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, stay on track and meet deadlines.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proven ability to use clear, concise language in correspondence as well as including content fitting for the purpose and audiences when preparing written briefs and reports.
• Able to operate in a multicultural environment.
• High level of autonomy at work, yet with profound team spirit.
• 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 about 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.
• Adaptive, patient, resourceful, resilient, and flexible.

Leadership Competencies:

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

Core Competencies:

• Building Partnership:
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with impact

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for result
• Fosters Innovation

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) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 126,440.93 (P5 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 108,357.41 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

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

Application Deadline  7th June, 2024.