Program Officer – Operational Management (OSPD)

Organization Information

Reports to: Principal Programme Management Officer – Planning
Directorate/Department/Organ: Office of Strategic Planning and Delivery (OSPD)
Division: PME
Number of Direct Reports: 2
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P3
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Purpose of Job

The African Union launched the Second Ten Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of the Agenda 2063. While at the same time the African Union Commission (AUC) is undergoing significant reforms to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen governance, and improve service delivery by institutionalizing Results Based Management were ongoing.  OSPD led the development of the AU Strategic Plan (2024 – 2028) which has to be cascaded to several Organs and the Specialized Technical Offices.  Over and above to AUC Plan that has to align to the internal portfolios.

Systematic institutionalization of RBM and appropriate delivery of the Strategy requires a Programme Management Officer, experienced in Operational Management to support implementation and review of the AU RBM Frameworks which has key pillars to facilitate periodic monitoring, evaluation and reporting on the progress of implementation of the related programmes.

OSPD therefore needs to recruit an expert to facilitate transitioning the AU to Results Based Management.

Under the supervision of the P5 responsible for RBM through Principal Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, the Officer will also be responsible for periodic review and management of the AU frameworks, implementation of specified initiatives therein so as ensure the appropriate adoption of RBM, including recommendations for aligning leadership, organizational culture systems and processes.

This role ensures effective implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of operational processes, policies, and systems to support the overall AU RBM Framework.

Main Functions

• Develop, implement, and monitor operational plans and workflows to ensure timely and efficient delivery of services and programs.
• Support design and management of the corporate strategic results framework and ensure it implemented, monitored and assessed
• Identify consequential changes needed to transition to RBM in terms of culture, policies, systems and processes related organizational management mainly in relation to planning, programming and human resource management.
• Ensure all components of the Operational Management Pillar as outlined in the RBM concept are functional, this includes recommending and re-engineering of key business processes
• Provide expert advice on lessons learnt for implementing programmes and projects within the African Union institutions
• Analyze existing AUC operational processes, identify inefficiencies, and recommend improvements to enhance effectiveness, compliance with policies, and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of Strategic initiatives.
• Ensure effective coordination of the RBM transition process across the AU and contribute to the development of the change management strategy to close the gap in AUC Departments/Organs, Member States, and external stakeholders.

Specific Responsibilities

• Support assessment of the AU Readiness to improve RBM, including  Policy Organ structures, implementation of programmes and Projects in the  AU’s operational environment.
• Enhance the quality of programme management through development and maintenance of operational quality assurance systems
• Support processes of strategy development, scorecard management, organizational alignment to as outlined in the AU Strategic Plan
• Prepare project progress and prepare reports on programme implementation
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate smooth operational processes, resolve issues, and ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
• Preparation of stakeholder meetings, seminars, and workshops with relevant stakeholders institutionalizing RBM and other OSPD initiatives.
• Develop all components of the strategy management to effectively raise awareness on RBM and other reform processes across the AU organs and institutions.
• Perform any other relevant functions as assigned.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in any Social Sciences or Business / Strategy management, Project / Programme Management related field.
• With ten (10) years’ experience in Policy Planning, operational management, program coordination/management, and or Strategy Management, preferably within an international or multilateral organization

Or 

• Master’s Degree in above area with seven (7) years’ experience.
• From the above experience, three (3) years should be in a supervisory role.
• ISO Certification in Quality Management Systems is an added advantage

Required Skills

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Sound decision making
• High levels of discretion and confidentiality
• Good time management and organizational skills.
• Presentation Skills
• Ability to work across business units/geographies; cultural sensitivity
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages is required, fluency in another AU language and or English or French in particular is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Insight
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risks

Core Competencies

• Building Relationship
• 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.

LANGUAGES:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

REMUNERATION:

• The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 96,921.34 (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 78,461.08 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Applications must be submitted no later than September 22, 2025 11h59 p.m. EAT.

– Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.

– Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas (Bac+2), Bachelor’s degrees (Bac+3), Master’s degrees (Bac+5) and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.

– The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

– Candidates from least represented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles.

These countries include: Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Sahrawi D.R., Sao Tome and Principe., Seychelles, and Somalia.