Senior Legal Advisor Expert (AfCFTA)

The African Union, established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African states as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Our Headquarters are located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia. The vision of the African Union is that of: An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena. Our mission is to become An efficient and value-adding institution driving the African integration and development process in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. The values that guide and govern our function and operations are: Respect for diversity and team work Think Africa above all; Transparency and accountability Integrity and Impartiality; Efficiency and Professionalism; and Information and Knowledge sharing
About The Job

Purpose of Job

Facilitate and provide legal support and provide appropriate legal advice in various levels of the structure of the AfCFTA negotiations

Main Functions:

Provides technical support in the preparation and implementation of programs developed out of the Division’s strategic plan
Ensures effective coordination and implementation at various levels
Liaises with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other stakeholders on relevant matters
Prepares and develops reports, budget and work programs related to the functioning of the Division
Provides technical support for the development of resource mobilization strategy with stakeholder’s coordination
Engages with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develop relationships
Conducts complex analysis and generates accurate reports in a timely manner for the Division and AU’s internal use.
Liaises with the various for coordination and alignment purposes
Contributes in the development of strategies, policies, programs and plans

Specific Responsibilities:

Provide legal advice on AfCFTA issues raised by the Member State representatives participating in meetings at the various levels of the AfCFTA negotiations structure
Provide appropriate legal advice to the AfCFTA Secretariat, AfCFTA Bureau and others entities
Collaborate closely with the Office of AU legal Counsel in the discharge of his/her duties
Maintain and disseminate an up-to-date record of the status off all chapters and annexes of the text
Assist Member states with “legal scrubbing” of the text and annexes once they have been finalized
Assist the AfCFTA Secretariat in providing secretarial support to the AfCFTA negotiations committees
Produce the required inputs on work done on AfCFTA legal issues arising from the negotiations to the Secretary General Office for the periodic reports of the activities of the Unit, and ensure that agreed deadlines for these inputs are strictly adhered to
Manages and supervises employees under his/her supervision with regard to organization and performance evaluation and
Perform any other related duties as may be assigned

Academic Requirements And Relevant Experience:

Candidates must have a university Master’s Degree in law, international law, international trade law or another appropriate related discipline.
Candidates must have had at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience as a negotiator or legal advisor in regional integration or trade negotiations at a national, regional, continental, or international organization, and should have involved the negotiation of legal provisions or other legal issues or the provision of legal advice to the negotiators involved.
Candidates with University Bachelor Degree can be considered provided they have ten (10) years of relevant work experience out of which three (3) must be at expert level.

Required Skills:

A demonstrated ability to initiate and promote collaborative approaches and implementing joint activities;
Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment, with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance
Ability to assist in developing clear program goals, plans and actions that are consistent with agreed strategies and to appropriately delegate, monitor and adjust these plans and actions
Ability to produce clear and professional reports
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 Insight
Developing Others
Change Management
Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

Building Relationships
Foster Accountability Culture
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 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.

REMUNERATION:

The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 100,972.49 (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 83,397.18 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Only candidates who have met all the requirements of the post and have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

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