SENIOR PROTOCOL OFFICER IN-CHARGE OF PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES
The African Union, established as aunique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’srapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity,cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as wellas developing a new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in AddisAbaba, capital city of Ethiopia.
In seeking to achieve theseobjectives, the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver by,among others, the implementation of new organization structure and the fillingof vacant posts.
The Commission of theAfrican Union invites applicants who are citizens of Member States for the postof Senior Protocol Officer in-charge of Privileges and Immunities.
1. Post:
JobTitle: Senior Protocol OfficerIn-Charge of Privileges and Immunities
Grade: P3
Supervisor: Chief of Protocol and Deputy Chief of Protocol
Department: Bureau of the chairperson
DutyStation: AddisAbaba, Ethiopia
2. MajorDuties and Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Chief ofProtocol and the Deputy Chief of Protocol, the Senior Protocol Officerin-charge of Privileges and Immunities shall have responsibility for alladministrative and staff matters within the Division. In the exercise of theseduties, the Senior Protocol Officer will be in charge of the practicalimplementation of the relevant provisions of Treaties on the AdditionalProtocol on privileges and immunities and the Headquarters Agreement signedbetween the Government of Ethiopia and the African Union Commission. Inaddition, it will also be the responsibility of the Officer to ensure thepractical implementation of the Staff Regulations and Rules and otheradministrative guidelines in the Division.
Keyduties and responsibilities:
i. Ensuring that issues onprivileges and immunities of the Organization and its officials and staff arehandled in accordance with the relevant provisions of the above-mentionedTreaties;
ii. Providing the necessary advice onprotocol-related issues to the AU and its constituents in accordance withdiplomatic norms, especially with regards to privileges and immunities;
iii. Initiating and following up onrequests for diplomatic privileges and immunities from the relevant Ethiopianauthorities on behalf of the Organization and its staff members;
iv. Co-ordinating requests forimport/export permits for vehicles and other goods and personal effects for theOrganization and its staff;
v. Facilitation of the issuance of administrativeand legal documents on behalf of officials and staff (resident IDs, Visas etc);
vi. Facilitation of separationprocedures of officials and staff from the services of the AU Commission;
vii. Maintaining close workingrelationship with relevant authorities of the Host Country with a view toupdating the Commission (Legal Department) on the challenges faced in thepractical implementation of some provisions of the Headquarters Agreement;
viii. Receiving, evaluating andprocessing of requests of officials and staff for diplomatic privileges andimmunities, thereby facilitating provision of related information and benefits;
ix. Handling of ceremonies andofficial functions;
x. Periodic review of the AUProtocol Manual;
xi. Periodic review of the DiplomaticList of AU Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Foreign/ExternalAffairs, Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Heads of International Organizations;
xii. Providing advice on policies andprocedures regarding the appropriate use of the AU flag as well as the flags ofMember States;
xiii. Ensuring that AU and MemberStates’ flags, nameplates, anthems are procured and properly kept;
xiv. Preparing and updating thecountry profiles of Member States of the AU;
xv. Drafting congratulatory messageson the occasion of the National Days of AU Member States;
xvi. Co-ordinating of conferencelogistics (designing and printing of badges and nameplates;
xvii. Co-ordinatinglanding and over-flight permits for special flights with the relevant Ethiopianauthorities;
xviii. Meeting and seeing off VIPs atthe airport (receptions, cocktails, luncheons and dinners);
xix. Handling of ceremonies andofficial functions;
xx. Establishing the work program andschedules of the Division, as well as supervising their implementation;
xxi. In addition to the above, willperform any other duties as may be directed by the Chief of Protocol and theDeputy Chief of Protocol
Other duties
- Servicing AU meetings organized both atthe Headquarters and those hosted by member states;
- Briefing of visiting dignitaries andother guests while taking them on guided tours at the Commission;
- Coordinating airport duties;
Positions under your supervision
Four (4) Protocol Officers
Eight (11)Protocol Assistants
Judgement and Decision Making
The Job Holder isexpected to exercise a middle-level management decision-making authority andshould have good communication and administrative skills. The Holder should also be able to makedecisions on routine matters.
3. Professional experiencerequired:
A MastersUniversity Degree in any of the Social Disciplines (with specialization inInternational Relations and Diplomacy).
Eight(8) years of progressive professional work experience will be required. Knowledge of a second and/or third workinglanguage of the Organization will be an added advantage.
Additional Skills Required
· Training in Protocol and Etiquette
· Management and Leadershipcapabilities
· Time management skills
· Diplomacy and international relationsskills
· Ability to negotiate and to persuade
· Computer literacy, especially (MSoffice, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
· Policy development and analyticalskills
· Very strong skills in drafting
Cross Functional Roles (within orwith other units)
· Give the necessary logistical andhuman resource support to all departments in the organization of officialfunctions and meetings.
· Project thegood image of the Organization by exhibiting extreme values of etiquette, commitment,good communication skills, courtesy and cooperation.
4. Other Relevant Skills:
· Shouldbe able to work in a multicultural setting, in good team spirit;
· Mustbe computer literate.
5. Language Requirement:
Proficiency in one of the AfricanUnion working languages. Proficiency of one or several other workinglanguage(s) would be an added advantage.
6. Tenure of Appointment:
The appointment will be made on fixed term contractfor a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months be consideras a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of twoyears renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.
7. Least Representative Countries:
Candidates from the following leastrepresented countries are encouraged to apply: Eritrea, Central AfricanRepublic, Cape Verde, Comoros, Congo (DRC), Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea,Liberia, Mauritania, Namibia, Sahrawi Arab Republic, SaoTome and Principe,Seychelles and Somalia
8. Gender Mainstreaming:
The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employerand qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
9. Remuneration:
Indicative basic salary ofUS$ 35,300.00 per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Postadjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance 14,414.40 per annum), education allowance (75% of tuition and othereducation related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum ofUS$7,800.00 per child per annum), etc for internationally recruited staff ofthe Commission.
Applications must be made through the AUCE-recruitment Website
http://www.aucareers.org not later than 10 th June 2014 .
Directorate of Administration and Human Resource Management
African Union Commission
