Location: Cairo, Egypt
Department: African Space Agency (AfSA)
Job Grade: P4
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Number of Positions: 1
Reports to: President of the Council of the African Space Agency
Direct Reports: 2
Requisition ID: 3081
Closing Date: 24 September 2026, 11:59 p.m. EAT
Job Purpose
To ensure effective coordination, implementation, and monitoring of activities under the Programme and facilitate seamless collaboration between stakeholders, ensure timely execution of planned activities, and align the Programme’s objectives with the strategic priorities of AfSA.
Main Functions
- Head the team and ensure overall management of the programme.
- Oversee the day-to-day management, coordination and implementation of the programme, ensuring linkage to AU policies and strategies related to space and green transition.
- Supervise staff under the programme.
- Lead, as the programme focal person, the preparation of reports for monitoring and evaluation of the Action’s activities.
- Ensure that all activities are executed in accordance with expected outputs and aligned with relevant AU policies, rules and commitments while maintaining harmony with regional REC policies and strategies.
- Maintain collaboration with other stakeholders, including African stakeholders, the European Space Agency (ESA), and relevant European Commission offices such as DG-INTPA, DG-JRC, DG DEFIS and the EU Delegation to the AU.
Specific Responsibilities
- Provide strategic coordination and oversight of Programme activities.
- Facilitate communication and coordination among stakeholders, including the African Union Commission (AUC), European Commission (EC), implementing partners and beneficiaries.
- Monitor implementation progress, identify challenges and propose mitigation measures.
- Ensure alignment of Programme activities with the strategic goals of AfSA and the Africa-EU Space Partnership.
- Support reporting, documentation and dissemination of Programme outcomes and best practices.
- Foster synergies with relevant regional and international space and Earth observation initiatives.
- Develop and oversee implementation of the Programme’s work plan and space strategy.
- Coordinate Programme activities and ensure their timely execution.
- Engage with relevant stakeholders, including African and European institutions, implementing organisations and regional partners.
- Organise and facilitate technical meetings, workshops and events related to the Programme.
- Support the development and implementation of a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework.
- Consolidate and analyse reports from different implementing partners to track progress and identify bottlenecks.
- Ensure effective reporting, documentation and knowledge sharing on Programme results.
- Liaise with technical teams to ensure alignment with broader policy frameworks of the African Union.
- Contribute to dissemination of Programme results through reports, publications and other communication tools.
- Support the integration of Programme outcomes into policy discussions at regional and continental levels.
- Perform any other related duties as assigned by supervisors.
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
Option 1:
- Master’s degree in Space Sciences or any related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in space programme and/or project management, preferably in a multinational organisation.
- At least 6 years must be at managerial level.
- At least 3 years must be at supervisory level.
OR
Option 2:
- Bachelor’s degree in Space Sciences, Project Management, Finance or any related field.
- Minimum of 12 years of relevant work experience in space programme and/or project management, preferably in a multinational organisation.
- At least 6 years must be at managerial level.
- At least 3 years must be at supervisory level.
Qualified candidates under either pathway should desirably demonstrate:
- Experience working with international organisations or regional institutions handling Africa-Europe joint space programmes.
- Demonstrated experience in space programme and/or project management, including conceptualisation, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
- Experience in space cooperation, partnership development and negotiations with international organisations and relevant stakeholders, preferably the European Space Agency (ESA), national space agencies and/or New Space actors.
Required Skills
- Ability to work under pressure in a multicultural environment.
- Strong political and diplomatic tact and skills to achieve documented objectives.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to correctly interpret and respond to messages from others.
- Openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- Excellent writing, negotiation, analytical and communication skills.
- Ability to delegate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority appropriately.
- Knowledge of space policies, strategic frameworks and reference documents of the European Union and African Union.
- Knowledge of project management theory.
- Sound knowledge of project management tools.
- Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel and Word.
- Knowledge of the African Union system is an added advantage.
- Knowledge of space trends and challenges in Africa.
- Ability to identify key strategic opportunities and effectively manage associated risks.
- Proven ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with senior-level stakeholders.
- Ability to maintain effective communication and work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic Insight
- Developing Others
- Change Management
- Managing Risk
Core Competencies
- Building Relationships
- Fosters Accountability Culture
- Learning Orientation
- Communicating with Influence
Functional Competencies
- Conceptual Thinking
- Job Knowledge and Information Sharing
- Drive for Results
- Continuous Improvement Orientation
Tenure of Appointment
The appointment will be made on a fixed-term contract for one (1) year.
The first three (3) months will be considered a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period, subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables.
Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is:
- US$107,026.89 per annum (P4 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff.
- US$91,962.34 per annum inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.
Languages
Proficiency in at least one of the AU working languages is mandatory:
- Arabic
- English
- French
- Kiswahili
- Portuguese
- Spanish
Fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.
Gender Mainstreaming
The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit a fully completed online application with:
https://jobs.au.int/job/Programme-Coordinator-%28AfSA%29/3081-en_US
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- African passport
- Required academic qualifications, including diplomas, Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees and relevant certificates in line with the area of expertise.
The African Union CV template is mandatory. Applicants should download and complete the appropriate English or French AU CV template and upload it when applying.
Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.
Requisition ID: 3081
Closing Date: 24 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EAT.