Executive Leadership Opportunity: Director, Social Development, Culture and Sports (D1) at The African Union (AU) - MY NGO JOBS

About the African Union

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of 55 member states committed to achieving an Integrated, Prosperous, and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena. We serve as the successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).

Position Details

Job Title: Director, Social Development, Culture and Sports Requisition ID: 2844 Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Reports to: Commissioner, Health, Humanitarian Affairs & Social Development (HHS) Directorate / Department: Health, Humanitarian Affairs & Social Development Division: Social Development, Culture and Sports Job Grade: D1 Contract Type: Regular Tenure of Appointment: 3 years (renewable, subject to performance)

Purpose of Job

The Director is the strategic head responsible for planning, developing, and overseeing the effective implementation of all policies and strategies within the Directorate of Social Development, Culture and Sports. The Director will provide high-level leadership, promote essential collaboration across AU organs, and ensure the Directorate’s programmes significantly contribute to the overall AU Strategies and Vision for the continent.

Main Functions and Key Responsibilities

I. Strategic and Executive Leadership

Strategy Formulation: Determine, develop, and execute the overall strategy for the Department, ensuring clear alignment with the African Union’s broader institutional strategy and goals.
Policy Oversight: Develop and oversee continental policy formulation, guidelines, and frameworks related to Social Development, Culture, Sports, Labour, Employment, Migration, Drug Control, and Crime Prevention.
Programme Integration: Lead the preparation and oversight of integrated programmes and projects, ensuring the efficient functioning of all Divisions within the Department.
Risk Management: Manage strategic risks and proactively recommend robust mitigation strategies to ensure business continuity and program success.

II. Technical Guidance and Specific Focus Areas

Programmatic Guidance: Provide technical guidance and supervise the preparation of appropriate programs, policies, and strategies related to all thematic areas under the Directorate (Social Development, Labour, Employment, Migration, Culture, Sport, etc.).
Specialized Agencies: Supervise the activities of the Specialized Agencies and Institutions of the African Union that operate within the Department’s mandate.
Rights-Based Approach: Develop and promote a rights-based approach framework for each thematic programme of work, focusing on the realization of an inclusive society for all, particularly vulnerable persons (e.g., older persons, persons with disabilities, children, indigenous people).
Ministerial Engagements: Supervise the preparation and management of Ministerial Conferences and other relevant high-level meetings and engagements in the Directorate’s focus areas.

III. Management and Stakeholder Relations

Team Management: Lead the Directorate, managing personnel, budget, performance, and quality, and supervising direct reports (2) and indirect reports (1). Delegate appropriate responsibility and decision-making authority to Heads of Divisions.
External Relations: Develop and maintain regular, high-level working relations with top-level stakeholders, appropriate agencies of AU Member States, and international partners.
Reporting & Finance: Oversee the collection of contributed funds and the initiation of actions to collect funds for the African Union as a whole. Prepare and oversee periodic financial and budget execution reports.

Qualifications and Experience

Academic Requirements

A Master’s Degree in Sociology, Arts, Law, International Studies, Public Administration, or other related Human and Social Science disciplines.

Relevant Experience

A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in relevant fields such as social development, labour, employment, migration, culture, sport, drug control, and crime prevention.
A minimum of 8 years of experience obtained at a managerial level.
A minimum of 5 years of experience obtained at a supervisory level within the total experience.

Essential Skills and Competencies

Required Skills

Managerial Skills: Proven capacity to manage complex, multi-sectoral programs and large teams.
Diversity Management: Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and foster an environment where diversity is respected and utilized for organizational strength.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with top-level stakeholders, including Ministers and high-ranking officials.
Strategic Technology Adoption: Ability to actively seek, identify, and apply appropriate technology to improve program delivery and efficiency.

Leadership Competencies

Strategic Focus, Developing Organizational Capability, Change Leadership, and Strategic Risk Management.

Languages

Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory.
Fluency in another AU language is a distinct advantage.

Remuneration and Appointment

Remuneration:

Indicative Basic Salary: US$ 78,138.00 (D1 Step 1) per annum.
Additional Entitlements (for internationally recruited staff): Post adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance (US$ 26,208.00 per annum), and Education allowance (up to US$ 10,000.00 per child per annum for eligible dependents).

Tenure: The appointment is for a regular term contract of three (3) years, subject to renewal based on satisfactory performance and deliverables.