Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Type: Regular
Job Category: Executive Management / Institutional Coordination
Job Grade: D2
Number of Positions: 1
Req ID: 3103
Closing Date: 26 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EAT
Important Notice to Applicants
Dear Candidates,
Thank you for your interest in the African Union.
Applicants must complete their profiles using the official African Union CV template. Use of this template is mandatory. Download the appropriate template, complete it, and upload it when applying for the position.
- English CV template: Available through the AU recruitment portal.
- French CV template: Available through the AU recruitment portal.
AU Recruitment Team
About the African Union
The African Union (AU) promotes unity, cooperation, development, and integration across the African continent.
AU Values
- Respect for Diversity and Teamwork
- Think Africa Above All
- Transparency and Accountability
- Integrity and Impartiality
- Efficiency and Professionalism
- Information and Knowledge Sharing
Organisational Information
- Reports to: Chairperson of the African Union Commission
- Directorate/Department/Organ: Bureau of the Chairperson
- Number of Direct Reports: 3
- Number of Indirect Reports: 2
- Contract Type: Regular
- Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Purpose of the Job
The Director General assists the Chairperson in coordinating the overall operations and effective functioning of the African Union Commission.
Under the authority and guidance of the Chairperson, and in consultation with the Deputy Chairperson and Commissioners, the Director General supports the operational coordination of the Commission’s departments and non-elected staff. The role aims to improve performance, strengthen service delivery, and ensure that the Commission achieves meaningful results and impact.
Main Functions
- Support the Chairperson in identifying and implementing the Commission’s priorities.
- Assist in translating the Commission’s priorities into annual targets and goals, under the guidance of the Chairperson and in consultation with senior leadership.
- Help establish a Commission-wide framework for monitoring and tracking progress.
- Provide regular reports to the Chairperson on portfolio performance and service delivery.
- Regularly consult and brief the Deputy Chairperson on service delivery.
- Work closely with the Cabinet of the Chairperson to ensure that the Chairperson’s strategic directions and priorities are reflected in the Commission’s work.
- Support senior leadership in implementing the AU Institutional Reform Agenda and other reform initiatives across the Commission.
- Monitor and track progress towards the Commission’s annual performance targets.
- Consult and support other members of the senior leadership team, under the Chairperson’s guidance, to promote strategic coordination and cooperation in implementing programmes and delivering high-impact results for Africa.
- Promote a knowledge-management culture through research and publications to encourage knowledge sharing and transfer across the Commission, in coordination with relevant departments.
- Carry out Commission-wide coordination and performance-monitoring responsibilities under the authority, guidance, and direction of the Chairperson.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist the Chairperson and the Commission in preparing the Commission’s annual report to the AU policy organs.
- Coordinate the preparation of the Commission’s annual performance targets under the guidance of the Chairperson and in close consultation with senior leadership, including the Deputy Chairperson and Commissioners. Ensure the targets are submitted for approval through the appropriate processes.
- Convene meetings of Portfolio Directors, as authorised by the Chairperson, to monitor progress against the Commission’s annual work plan and performance targets.
- Convene meetings of Service Directors in consultation with the Cabinets of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, with each meeting addressing the relevant departments’ progress towards the Commission’s annual work plan targets.
- Report to the Chairperson on progress and challenges in implementing the annual work plan.
- Perform any other duties assigned by the Chairperson.
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
Applicants must have:
- A Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Law, Management, International Relations, or a related field from a recognised institution.
- At least fifteen (15) years of relevant professional experience.
- At least ten (10) years of experience in a senior management role, preferably within an intergovernmental organisation, national government or public service, international institution, or regional institution.
- At least five (5) years of direct supervisory experience.
Age requirement: Applicants entering the career service must not be older than fifty-five (55) years.
Required Skills and Competencies
Applicants should demonstrate the following:
- Ability to lead and manage complex organisations at national, regional, or international level.
- Proven experience in coordination, consultation, and consensus-building across portfolios and within complex institutional environments.
- Ability to establish clear standards for accountability, integrity, value for money, and risk management.
- Ability to propose new ideas to leadership that improve cooperation across departments and promote complementary, coordinated efforts towards a prosperous and peaceful Africa.
- Proven experience in change management and achievements at regional, national, or international level.
- Strong resource mobilisation, political, and diplomatic skills.
- Ability to lead multicultural teams successfully and establish effective working relationships within and outside the organisation.
- Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Planning and organisational skills.
- Knowledge and working understanding of the African Union.
- Strong communication, presentation, and report-writing skills.
- Proficiency in at least one AU official working language: Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, or Spanish. Fluency in another AU working language will be an added advantage.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic Focus
- Developing Organisational Capability
- Change Leadership
- Strategic Risk Management
Core Competencies
- Building Partnerships
- Driving an Accountability Culture
- Learning Orientation
- Communicating with Impact
Functional Competencies
- Conceptual Thinking
- Job Knowledge and Information Sharing
- Drive for Results
- Fostering Innovation
Tenure of Appointment
The successful candidate will be appointed on a regular-term contract for three (3) years. The first twelve (12) months will be considered a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for further three-year periods, subject to satisfactory performance and the achievement of deliverables.
Gender Mainstreaming
The African Union Commission is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Language Requirements
Proficiency in at least one AU working language—Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, or Spanish—is mandatory. Fluency in another AU working language will be an added advantage.
Remuneration
The indicative remuneration package includes:
- Basic salary: US$100,017 per annum (D2 Step 1).
- Post adjustment: 46% of the basic salary.
- Housing allowance: US$26,208 per annum.
- Education allowance for internationally recruited staff: 100% of tuition and other eligible education-related expenses, up to a maximum of US$10,000 per child per annum.
- Education allowance for locally recruited staff: Up to US$3,300 per child per annum.
Other applicable entitlements may also be provided.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit a fully completed online application, including:
- A completed African Union CV template.
- A valid African passport.
- Relevant academic qualifications, including diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and any relevant certificates related to the area of expertise.
Only candidates who meet all the job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.
Countries Encouraged to Apply
Candidates from least represented and underrepresented AU member states are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that match their qualifications and experience.
Least represented countries:
Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Somalia, and Western Sahara.
Underrepresented countries:
Mozambique, Niger, South Africa, South Sudan, and Tunisia.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official African Union recruitment portal:
https://jobs.au.int/job/Director-General/3103-en_US
Applicants must complete the online application and upload all required documents, including the mandatory AU CV template.
Closing Date
Applications must be submitted no later than 26 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. East Africa Time (EAT).
Only shortlisted candidates who meet the requirements will be contacted.