Senior Legal Counsel - General Legal Affairs (AfCFTA) 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: Senior Legal Counsel - General Legal Affairs (AfCFTA)

Requisition ID: 1658
Location: Accra, Ghana
Reports to: Dispute settlement and legal affairs Director
Directorate/Department : Dispute settlement and legal affairs Directorate (AfCFTA)
Number of Direct Reports: 10
Number of Indirect Reports: 6
Number of Positions: 1
Job Grade: P5
Contract Type: Regular 

Purpose of Job

  • Advise on general law issues and manage the legal issues of all areas of AfCFTA Secretariat

Main Functions

  • Provide advice to ensure the proper implementation of the AfCFTA Staff Regulations and related laws covering the working conditions of AfCFTA Secretariat staff
  • Advising on data protection legislation and ensuring compliance with the applicable legal framework
  • Advise the Legal Department in the performance of its duties on general legal matters.
  • Responsible for the overall supervision and management of the Division.
  • Ensure creation of an inspiring work environment to enable staff development and professional progression.    
  • Assist in the fundraising process, prepare materials, partnership agreements, advise and document management and compensation agreements, and conclude fundraising transactions
  • Mitigate labor disputes, including assisting the General Secretary in handling administrative matters
  • Manage, monitor and provide proactive support and advice on all aspects of existing and emerging legal issues and risks                     

Specific Responsibilities

  • Provides strategic and tactical advice to, and working as an integral member of AfCFTA Secretariat negotiating teams on particular transactions towards:
  • negotiating a relationship;
  • drafting and/or revising and advising on the content of contractual documents setting out the terms and conditions of particular relationships;
  • negotiating on the specific terms and conditions of contractual documents,
  • advising on legal aspects of the termination or wind-down of ongoing relationships.
  • Advises on a range of current legal issues impacting AfCFTA Secretariat by reviewing issues, ascertaining applicable and appropriate legal and risk management practices, and recommending courses of action to AfCFTA management.
  • Perform any other relevant duties assigned by the immediate Supervisor.       

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

  • Master's Degree or equivalent in International Law (Public International Law, Law of International Organizations) with Twelve (12) years of relevant and progressively more responsible experience in the legal field.
  • Seven (7) of these years should be at the senior management level and five (5) should involve a supervisory role

Required Skills:

  • A demonstrated ability to initiate and promote collaborative approaches between geographically and culturally disparate partners
  • Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage
  • High degree of independence, maturity and initiative
  • Ability to handle challenging questions and difficult stakeholders
  • Ability to manage time and prioritize work
  • Be flexible, adaptable and open to change
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally
  • Ability to develop and delegate clear program goals, plans and actions, that are consistent with agreed strategies
  • Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority with regard to performance management and professional development
  • Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff
  • Proficiency in one of the AU officials working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage;

Leadership Competencies:

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

Core Competencies:

  • Building Relationships
  • Foster 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$  50,746.00 (P5 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment ( 57% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 27,290.88.00 (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.

 

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

Application Deadline  8th March, 2023.

Note

  • Only candidates who have met all the requirements of the post and have been selected for an interview will be contacted.
  • Only applications registered online with a complete curriculum vitae (CV) attached will be considered.
  • The Africa Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • Gender Mainstreaming: The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply