PRINCIPAL POLICY OFFICER, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Job Description

 Underthe general guidance of the Executive Director, and within delegated authority,the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Supervise and manage the AFREC’s program on Advocacy and Facilitation for the African Energy Sector.
• Coordinate AFREC’s activities with RECs, RPPs, African energy-related and other institutions, international organizations and outreach activities with the AFREC’s Focal Points in Member States.
• Promote strategies and policies for improving the performance of energy sector in Member States that is consistent with the Commission’s overall mission, goals, and objectives; develop new and expand on existing activities as logical components of these strategies.
• Mobilize from governments, foundations, the private sector, and other donors the financial and human resources needed to execute the strategies and its constituent activities.
• Engage stakeholders from within African Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Power Pools (RPPs), other intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, public and private sectors in designing and implementing those strategies and formulating and undertaking the activities.
• Ensure close coordination with the operations of other associated partners such as AU, NEPAD, ADB, UPDEA, APPA, AFUR, UNECA, UNEP, UNIDO, etc., and sponsor joint project with them.
• Develop cohesive strategies for advocacy and facilitation for the benefit of the African energy sector; build advocacy networking and mobilize technical, political and economic resources for implementation;
• Identify and implement measures that support sound project planning and implementation within the Commission; define and adopt measures that ensure monitoring of progress and reporting on achievements and results; and monitor and control program and project budgeting and expenditures, including from trust funds and counterpart contributions.
• Ensure efficient internal and external communications with a range of audiences; enhance the AFREC’s role in promoting the exchange of information on energy issues and their links to the environment and development agendas; and communicate with partners about common positions and joint activities.
• Represent AFREC at conferences, intergovernmental meetings, professional seminars, and similar events; explaining AFREC’s position and perspectives on energy issues and work being undertaken at AFREC and its relevance.

Competencies

·        Research: Outstanding and proven ability toprepare, present and publish good research, reports and studies at the standardlevel of international class; Proven published papers, books and articles onenergy matters especially in Africa; Ability to assess and criticize researchquality and make recommendations for amendments.

·        Communication: Effective communication skills(spoken, written, and presentational), including ability to defend and explaindifficult issues and positions to staff and senior officials; Strong conceptualskills and openness.

·        Teamwork: Ability to establish and maintaineffective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally ina multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment, with sensitivity and respect fordiversity, including gender balance.

·        Planningand Organization:Ability to develop clear program goals that are consistent with agreedstrategies; Ability to identify priority activities and to appropriatelydelegate, monitor and adjust plans and actions.

·        Vision: Identifies strategic issues andopportunities as well as risks.

·        Leadership: Proactive in developing strategies toaccomplish objectives and drives for change and improvement.

·        EmpoweringOthers: Empowersothers to translate vision into results.

·        ManagingPerformance:Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-makingauthority; Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluatestaff.

Job Requirements

 Qualificationsand Experience Required

• A minimum masters University degree in Electrical Engineering, Business Administration, Energy Economics or Finance or in directly related fields.
• A relevant combination of university degree, professional training and experience in International Relations, Economic or Finance.

4.    Professionalexperience required:

• At least ten (10) years of working experience in progressively responsible positions, of which at least five years of professional and managerial experience in an international organization dealing with energy issues are required, as well as experience in fundraising and project management.
• Experience and good knowledge of energy issues in Africa and intergovernmental groups, in addition to the linkages between energy and socioeconomic development are desirable.

5.    Otherrelevant skills

·        Abilityto lead a team in interdisciplinary effort as well as management andorganizational skills are essential.

·        Theincumbent is required to possess a high degree of competence in bothsubstantive and managerial matters related to the post.

·        Theincumbent must possess a demonstrated ability to initiate and promotecollaborative approaches and implementing joint activities by geographicallyand culturally disparate partners.

6.    Languagerequirement

Proficiencyin one of the African Union working languages. Proficiency   of oneor several other working language(s) would be an added value

7.    Agerequirement:

Candidatesmust preferably be between 35 and 50 years old.

8.    Tenureof Appointment:

        The appointment will be made on a fixedterm contract for a period of three (3)     years,of with the first twelve months will be considered as a probationary    period. Thereafter, the contract shall be fora period of two years renewable,             subjectto satisfactory performance and deliverables.

9.      Gender Mainstreaming:

The AU Commission is an equalopportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.