Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Type: Appointment of Limited Duration
Job Category: Health Systems, Diseases and Nutrition
Job Grade: P5
Closing Date: 29 October 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EAT
Req ID: 3110
About the Position
The African Union is seeking a qualified and experienced professional to serve as Head of Division – Health Systems, Diseases and Nutrition (HHS). The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership in developing strategies and policies to ensure the efficient running of the division’s activities.
The position is intended to fill a staffing gap resulting from the leave of absence of the substantive Head of Division. The successful candidate will report to the Director of Health and Humanitarian Affairs.
Main Functions
- Supervise and manage division employees, including organisation and performance evaluation.
- Manage the work of the division and supervise direct reports to ensure effective performance in accordance with the organisation’s performance management policy and system.
- Design strategies and policies that align with departmental goals and address pertinent issues in the relevant area.
- Contribute to the development of the departmental business continuity plan and ensure its implementation at division level.
- Manage risks within the division and recommend mitigation strategies.
- Design and plan policy programmes to achieve the division’s strategies.
- Develop new activities and review existing activities as components of the strategies and policies.
- Address problems arising from current approaches in the relevant area.
- Engage stakeholders within Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in designing and implementing strategies.
- Represent the organisation and explain its position at conferences.
- Mobilise funding from donors to implement strategies and activities.
- Contribute to periodic financial and budget execution reports and monitor budget execution at division level.
Specific Responsibilities
- Initiate the formulation of policies, programmes, and strategies relating to health systems, diseases, population, and nutrition at the continental level, and monitor their implementation within Member States.
- Set the direction of the division’s strategic interventions, plans, priorities, and workflows, while facilitating communication and cooperation with other divisions and departments.
- Analyse and monitor health-related matters, including health systems, diseases, population, and nutrition, and provide expertise, policy advice, and technical leadership within the department.
- Advocate for and sensitise Member States on the health commitments of Heads of State and Government.
- Promote, coordinate, and harmonise programmes and activities within the division and with relevant departments in the Commission.
- Study and analyse major health trends and challenges in Africa, and harmonise related programmes in Member States in line with global commitments.
- Represent the department in health-related activities and report on issues discussed and actions required.
- Support the Director in strengthening cooperation with Commission departments, Member States, United Nations agencies, AU partners, specialised institutions, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, and other relevant organisations.
- Promote African and international cooperation with Member States, RECs, and intergovernmental organisations, particularly in implementing AU decisions and plans of action.
- Coordinate and monitor implementation of the Africa Health Strategy, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa, and the AU Plan of Action on Violence Prevention in Africa.
- Manage the division, including personnel matters, performance, quality assurance, and budget management.
- Prepare programme budgets, project proposals, and funding proposals related to the division.
- Monitor operational activities and programme implementation, prepare progress reports, and recommend corrective action to the Director when necessary.
- Prepare and manage ministerial conferences, meetings, and other high-level activities, including the preparation of documents and reports.
- Prepare and submit periodic activity reports, mission reports, and progress reports on the implementation of policies and decisions relating to health policy, health system reforms, traditional medicine, diseases, nutrition, and population.
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
Applicants must:
- Hold a Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Sciences, Health Systems, Nutrition, or a related field.
- Have twelve (12) years of relevant work experience, including seven (7) years at managerial level and five (5) years at supervisory level.
Experience in the health field as a medical doctor will be an added advantage.
Required Skills
- Ability to initiate and promote collaboration between geographically and culturally diverse partners.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective internal and external partnerships and working relationships.
- Ability to develop and delegate clear programme goals, plans, and actions, including budgets, in line with agreed strategies.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to lead, supervise, mentor, develop, and evaluate staff effectively.
- Proficiency in one of the AU working languages. Fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic Perspective
- Developing Others
- Change Management
- Managing Risk
Core Competencies
- Building Relationships
- Fostering an Accountability Culture
- Learning Orientation
- Communicating with Impact
Functional Competencies
- Conceptual Thinking
- Job Knowledge Sharing
- Drive for Results
- Fostering Innovation
Tenure of Appointment
The appointment is an interim arrangement lasting until 1 August 2027, subject to extension based on need. The successful candidate will be informed in adequate time if an extension is confirmed.
Gender Mainstreaming
The African Union Commission is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Languages
Proficiency in at least one of the AU working languages is mandatory. These languages are Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish. Fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.
Remuneration
The indicative monthly salary, inclusive of all allowances, is:
- Internationally recruited staff: US$10,536.74 (P5 Step 5).
- Locally recruited staff: US$9,029.78.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete and submit an online application through the African Union recruitment portal.
The use of the official AU CV template is mandatory. Applicants should download and complete the English or French CV template and upload it with their application.
Required documents include:
- A completed curriculum vitae (CV) using the AU CV template.
- An African passport.
- Relevant academic qualifications, including diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and certificates related to the area of expertise.
Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.
Additional Information
The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Candidates from the following least represented and underrepresented countries are 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.
Application Link
Interested candidates should apply online through the official African Union recruitment portal:
Closing Date
29 October 2026, at 11:59 p.m. East Africa Time (EAT).