Expert in Decentralisation, and Local Governance and Development, AU, P3, Addis Ababa, NORCAP

NORCAP’s mission is to improve aid to protect and empower people affected by crises and climate change. With expertise in the humanitarian, development and peace building sectors, we collaborate with local, national and international partners on finding solutions that meet the needs of people at risk.

We are recruiting for the post Expert in Decentralisation and Local Governance for a period of one (1) year, The assigned location will be Addis Ababa,Ethiopia. The successful candidate will contribute to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Governance and STC programme activities. The incumbent shall work towards promoting and implementing activities under good governance, Housing, Urban Development and Human Settlement. 

 Since 2013 NORCAP has worked in partnership with the African Union Commission Peace and Security Department (PSD) to meet their growing demand for qualified and specialised civilian experts. NORCAP has supported peace and security initiatives specifically in the area of peace support operations, conflict prevention, and post-conflict reconstruction and development. Based on the AUC's need for continued expertise support NORCAP is expanding the support within and beyond PSD, to also include governance and development. NORCAP and the AUC work together in choosing deployments that will further the work of the AU towards Agenda 2063.  

This position is for applicants with citizenship from member states of AU only.  

ORGANISATION BACKGROUND 

The African Union, established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia. 

In seeking to achieve these objectives, the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver by, among others, the implementation of new organisation structure and the filling of regular, fixed and short-term vacant posts. 

The Commission of the African Union invites applicants who are citizens of Member States for the regular post of Expert in decentralisation and local governance of the STC No 8 in the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission (AUC), located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 

The Governance and AU-Specialised Technical Committee on Public Service, Local Governance, Urban Development and Decentralisation is a Unit within the Governance and Conflict Prevent Directorate (GCP) of the African Union Commission. It aims to contribute the overall mandate of the GCP, to “contribute to the emergence of a political environment within and among African countries as well as at the international level that is conducive to bringing about sustainable development and accelerating economic integration”. The mandate of the Governance and STC No 8 Secretariat of the GCP includes: 

• Develop, promote and implement the African Union integration agenda and vision in the areas of Public Service, Local Government, Urban Development and Decentralisation; 
• Contributing to attaining the AU developmental goals through unfolding processes of modernisation and reform of Public Service and Administration in Africa through supporting Member States Strengthening Public Service and Administration System with focus on combatting bureaucratic corruption to ensure transparency and accountable governance and Effective Service Delivery to all Citizens on the Continent; 
• Developing a common understanding of the important role of Decentralisation and local governance in democratic and development processes, and to put in place harmonised tools that support means of overcoming related challenges within the Continent 
• Promoting of sustainable development of human settlements in Africa, as well as the continental vehicle for Governments to improve African cities, enabling them to realise their full potential as centers of economic growth, inclusive development and prosperity 
• Establishes a collective understanding of AU policies and other efforts that are necessary at the continental, regional and national levels on effective local governance; 
• Leading in articulating perspectives on local and continental interventions that will be necessary for the AUC in the process for Public Service and enabling African governments to improve African Cities and enable them to realise their full potential as centres for economic growth, inclusive development and prosperity 
• Contributing to the promotion and realisation of the AU’s vision and objectives 
• Assuming functions referred to it by other AU organs. 

The Department of Political Affairs, Peace and security through the Directorate for Governance and Conflict Prevention in the AU Commission currently hosts the AU-STC No 8 Secretariat. Following the revised Maputo decisions on the structure of the Executive Council of the African Union to strengthen its capacity to deliver on its mandate, the AU Commission seeks to appoint an Expert in Decentralisation and Local Governance to support the effective delivery of the Units strategic programmes on this specific portfolio. 

You are encouraged to read the full Terms of Reference before applying.