Expert in Decentralisation, and Local Governance and Development, AU, P3, Addis Ababa, NORCAP

NORCAP’s mission is to improve aid to protect and empower people affected by crises and climate change. With expertise in the humanitarian, development and peace building sectors, we collaborate with local, national and international partners on finding solutions that meet the needs of people at risk.

We are recruiting for the post Expert in Decentralisation and Local Governance for a period of one (1) year, The assigned location will be Addis Ababa,Ethiopia. The successful candidate will contribute to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Governance and STC programme activities. The incumbent shall work towards promoting and implementing activities under good governance, Housing, Urban Development and Human Settlement.

Since 2013 NORCAP has worked in partnership with the African Union Commission Peace and Security Department (PSD) to meet their growing demand for qualified and specialised civilian experts. NORCAP has supported peace and security initiatives specifically in the area of peace support operations, conflict prevention, and post-conflict reconstruction and development. Based on the AUC’s need for continued expertise support NORCAP is expanding the support within and beyond PSD, to also include governance and development. NORCAP and the AUC work together in choosing deployments that will further the work of the AU towards Agenda 2063.

This position is for applicants with citizenship from member states of AU only. 

ORGANISATION BACKGROUND

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. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.

In seeking to achieve these objectives, the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver by, among others, the implementation of new organisation structure and the filling of regular, fixed and short-term vacant posts.

The Commission of the African Union invites applicants who are citizens of Member States for the regular post of Expert in decentralisation and local governance of the STC No 8 in the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission (AUC), located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Governance and AU-Specialised Technical Committee on Public Service, Local Governance, Urban Development and Decentralisation is a Unit within the Governance and Conflict Prevent Directorate (GCP) of the African Union Commission. It aims to contribute the overall mandate of the GCP, to “contribute to the emergence of a political environment within and among African countries as well as at the international level that is conducive to bringing about sustainable development and accelerating economic integration”. The mandate of the Governance and STC No 8 Secretariat of the GCP includes:

• Develop, promote and implement the African Union integration agenda and vision in the areas of Public Service, Local Government, Urban Development and Decentralisation;
• Contributing to attaining the AU developmental goals through unfolding processes of modernisation and reform of Public Service and Administration in Africa through supporting Member States Strengthening Public Service and Administration System with focus on combatting bureaucratic corruption to ensure transparency and accountable governance and Effective Service Delivery to all Citizens on the Continent;
• Developing a common understanding of the important role of Decentralisation and local governance in democratic and development processes, and to put in place harmonised tools that support means of overcoming related challenges within the Continent
• Promoting of sustainable development of human settlements in Africa, as well as the continental vehicle for Governments to improve African cities, enabling them to realise their full potential as centers of economic growth, inclusive development and prosperity
• Establishes a collective understanding of AU policies and other efforts that are necessary at the continental, regional and national levels on effective local governance;
• Leading in articulating perspectives on local and continental interventions that will be necessary for the AUC in the process for Public Service and enabling African governments to improve African Cities and enable them to realise their full potential as centres for economic growth, inclusive development and prosperity
• Contributing to the promotion and realisation of the AU’s vision and objectives
• Assuming functions referred to it by other AU organs.

The Department of Political Affairs, Peace and security through the Directorate for Governance and Conflict Prevention in the AU Commission currently hosts the AU-STC No 8 Secretariat. Following the revised Maputo decisions on the structure of the Executive Council of the African Union to strengthen its capacity to deliver on its mandate, the AU Commission seeks to appoint an Expert in Decentralisation and Local Governance to support the effective delivery of the Units strategic programmes on this specific portfolio.

You are encouraged to read the full Terms of Reference before applying.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Expert in Decentralisation and Local Governance and Development will:

• Provide Technical assistance of the STC Number 8 on Public, Local Governance, Urban Development and Decentralisation (AU-STC No 8) Sub Committee on
• Develop Resource’s Mobilization Strategy for the advocacy for the entry into force of the African Charter on Values and Principles of Decentralization and Local Governance and Local Development implementation and its implementations programs
• Ensure the promotion of decentralization, local government/authority and local development on the continent through the use of the African Charter on Decentralization, Local Government and Local Development;
• Support the delivery of the technical objectives of the Sub Committee on Decentralization and Local Governance assigned to him/her for the implementation of sectorial work plans and the initiation of advisory opinions and policy papers within their thematic area.
• Serve as the focal point for STC No 8 Decentralization and Local Governance Sub Committee, and at this end, engage stakeholders within Members States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs)/Regional Mechanisms (RMs) and relevant international organisations in designing and implementing strategies
• Provide advice on STC No 8 issues to various stakeholders, including input into official communications, organising seminars, workshops and other related activities in the field of Decentralisation, Local Governance and Local Development;
• Assist in planning, preparing and implementing programme activities relating to the AU-STC Number 8, specifically Decentralisation, Local Governance and Local Development;
• Assist in the STC’S linkages with the AU Commission, STC Sub-committee on Decentralisation, Local Governance and Local Development; and other AU Organs
• Support programme activities including ratification and implementation of the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralisation, Local Governance and Local Development;
• Support the Operationalization of the AU High Council of Local Authorities that will ensure that the needs and aspirations of the African peoples at the local level are translated in the policies and strategies of the Union and that such policies and strategies of the Union are owned and implemented at the local level
• Ensure appropriate management of the programme budgets & resources whilst ensuring maximum cost-effectiveness in the implementation of all the project activities.
• Prepare reports, speaking notes, briefs, draft decisions and resolutions and assist in the preparation and organization of meetings, conferences and consultation on Decentralisation, Local Governance and Local Development;
• Undertake policy analysis and research on regional or global developments within their thematic area for the purposes of initiating policy papers and/technical advisory opinions for the policy organs of the African
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

To excel in this role, candidates should possess the following qualifications and skills:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• A Master’s degree in Decentralisation, or Governance and Development, Law, International Relations, Political sciences, Sociology or any other relevant and related field from a recognised University.
• At least 7-10 years of work experience in a similar role, ideally in a regional or international organisations, with demonstrable skills in policy analysis, design and implementation of Decentralisation, local development programs.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES REQUIREMENTS

Functional Skills and Competencies: 

• Conversant with the AU-STC No 8 operations and procedures within the Department of Political Affairs framework and the African Union Commission in general.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills; both verbal and written.
• Strong ability to work closely with a multiplicity of AU Organs and Member States across various levels.
• Good understanding of key trends in international development.
• Proven ability to solve complex project issues through analysis, definition and a clear way forward.

Personal Abilities: 

• Strong ability to work in a team setup.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to set priorities successfully, and work with other professionals to achieve goals within tight deadlines.
• Ability to work and deliver high quality outcome in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines and pressure to perform.
• Very good computer application skills (MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-PowerPoint and other office.

LANGUAGES

• Fluency in written and spoken English (essential)
• Knowledge of any other AU languages is an advantage

WHAT WE OFFER

• Rewarding work for a renowned global organisation
• Access to a network of humanitarian, peace, and development professionals
• A dedicated Staff Care Unit

HOW TO APPLY

• When submitting your application, kindly register in English your full employment history and education. Please include your full name as written in your passport. Uploaded CVs alone will not be reviewed.
• NORCAP values diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.
• NORCAP reserves the right to conduct a full background check on shortlisted candidates .
• Approved Health Certificate will be required prior to contract commencement and assignment.
• Feedback will be given to all applicants within four weeks after the closing of this advertisement.
• Apply before 5th January 2025, 23.59 PM (Oslo time)