Head of Administration

Head of Administration

Cluster or office-African Union Office

Duty station-Addis Abeba

Contract duration-31/12/2026

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a global service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. As a public-benefit federal enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government – in particular the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – and many public and private sector clients in achieving their objectives in international cooperation in around 120 countries.

Since 2004, GIZ has been a reliable and trusted partner of the African Union (AU) to enhance inclusive growth and sustainable development on the African continent in line with the AU’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. With more than 225 staff, GIZ African Union cooperates with the AU Commission, as well as the AU’s specialized institutions and agencies, such as the Development Agency AUDA-NEPAD, at continental, regional and national level in more than 35 member states. Key areas of engagement include Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, Governance and Migration, Regional Economic Integration, as well as Pandemic Prevention and Health.

The GIZ African Union Office headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with further staff based in South Africa, Ghana and Germany provides services and support in the areas of procurement, financial management, events and travel, human resources, internal operations, communication and portfolio management to all GIZ programs and projects that are implemented in partnership with the African Union

Responsibilities and Duties

This role requires a combination of strategic oversight, operational management, and leadership skills to ensure the efficient functioning of the organization’s administrative operations.

The Head of Administration is part of the Management of the AU Office and has a crucial role in the efficient functioning and management of administrative operations within the AU Office and in change process of S4GIZ. These tasks include among duties and responsibilities the following:

• Manage office-wide the administrative system of the Unit “Office Management” of the AU Portfolio
• Lead and coordinate in cooperation with the sector coordinators for 5 sectors of the AU Portfolio the Unit “Office Management” and the team of Office Managers
• Supervise the Team of “Business Partner Check” in the new system S4/Hana of GIZ
• Ensure the correct implementation of the rules of Finance and the cashbox within the rules and regulations of GIZ
• Ensure the onboarding of the Unit Office Management and the team to ensure a transparent and effective structure and ensure the respective Data- and Records management
• Preparation of data and information according to requirements and ensure compliance with legal law of our implementing countries and GIZ policies.
• Assisting the Head of Finance and Administration in assuring compliance management, including anti-corruption measures in his/her working field.
• Ensure the implementation of internal processes efficiently and transparently.
• Coordination of the Unit “Office Management” to enable smooth day-to-day operations.
• Supporting strategic framework for digital changes in GIZ
• Corporate with all other Units and as a part of the Management Team in the Portfolio. Actively network with other units in between the AU Portfolio, incorporating findings and management goals into service level agreements.
• Organization of knowledge management in area of Administration and make your expertise available for processing topics within the context of knowledge management.
• All other tasks related to the work as Head of Administration in the AU Portfolio

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Management, Commerce, Finance, Law or similar working fields.

Professional experience

• A minimum of 10 years relevant highly professional experience with proved team leading ability
• Experience in an international organization is an advantage
• Strong leadership skills and proofed experience in leading agile and teams in the understanding of GIZ
• Strategic thinking and ability to contribute to overall portfolio management of the AU Portfolio

Other knowledge, additional competencies

• Excellent knowledge of the domain of administration and compliance management
• Knowledge in the principles of cooperation and leadership and change processes in international organizations
• Ability to think and act strategically and analytically, as well as quick comprehension and an eye for the essentials.
• Commitment, team spirit, reliability, diplomatic skills, gender competence and intercultural understanding.
• Proven willingness to provide client-oriented services and competences.
• Independent and solution-oriented way of working, even under deadline pressure, as well as solution-oriented action.
• Fluent in English in written and speaking is necessary; Knowledge of another language like German or French is an advantage
• Good working knowledge of ITC technologies (E-Mail, internet, computer applications such as MS Office 365 and SAP)