Head of Partnership & International Cooperation at African Union: (Deadline 22 May 2024)

Organization Information

Reports to: Head, Partnerships and International Cooperation
Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P5
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Purpose of Job

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 new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia. The African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want” strategy for the development of the continent, details several key public health concerns that justified the establishment of Africa CDC: a) Increased potential for new or re-emerging pathogens to turn into pandemics as a result of increasing, rapid population growth (estimated population 280 million in 1960 and 12 billion in 2016) and movement across Africa; b) Existing endemic and emerging infectious diseases, including antimicrobial resistance; c) Increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases and injuries; d) High maternal mortality rates, and e) Threats posed by environmental toxins.

The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is Africa’s first continent-wide public health agency officially launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on January 31, 2017. The agency envisions a safer, healthier, integrated and stronger Africa, where Member States are capable of effectively responding to outbreaks of infectious diseases and other public health threats. The mission is to strengthen Africa’s public health institutions’ capabilities to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease outbreaks and other health burdens through an integrated network of continent-wide preparedness and response, surveillance, laboratory, and research programs.  In order to achieve this mission, Africa CDC works in all geographic regions of Africa continent and has instituted five technical divisions to focus on the following priority areas: 1. Surveillance and disease intelligence; 2. Preparedness and response; 3. Laboratory systems and networks; 4. Disease Control and Prevention; and 5. Public health Institutes and research.

The Africa CDC seeks to recruit a highly qualified and dynamic Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation to lead its efforts in strengthening partnerships and collaborations with key stakeholders to advance its mission. The Head of Partnerships and International Cooperation will lead and coordinate the Africa CDC’s partnership and collaboration efforts with international organizations, governments, private sector partners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to promote the institution’s goals and objectives. The incumbent will work closely with the Director General of Africa CDC and other senior leaders to design and implement the institution’s partnership and collaboration strategies. The role will be responsible for establishing and maintaining effective relationships with key partners, and donors to secure resources and support for Africa CDC’s programs and initiatives as well as identifying opportunities for new partnerships, and providing strategic guidance to programmatic teams on partnership activities. The role will play a critical role in driving growth and success of Africa CDC by building and managing strategic partnerships with external organizations.

Main Functions

Partnership and Collaboration Strategy:
•    Develop and implement a comprehensive partnership and collaboration strategy for Africa CDC that aligns with the institution’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives.
•    Establish and maintain relationships with key partners and stakeholders to advance Africa CDC’s goals and objectives.
•    Provide strategic guidance and support to programmatic teams to ensure effective partnership and collaboration activities.

Partnership and Collaboration Management:
•    Manage and coordinate partnership and collaboration efforts across Africa CDC’s programs and projects.
•    Identify, establish and manage partnerships with international organizations, governments, private sector partners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.
•    Lead the development of partnership agreements and MoUs in collaboration with relevant programmatic teams and ensure compliance with institutional policies and procedures.

Resource Mobilization:
•    Support the Director General and senior leadership team in developing resource mobilization strategies and plans.
•    Identify and cultivate funding opportunities and partnerships with donors and other funding agencies to support Africa CDC’s programs and projects.
•    Lead the preparation of high-quality funding proposals and grant applications in collaboration with programmatic teams.

Partnership and Collaboration Monitoring and Evaluation:
•    Develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation framework for partnership and collaboration activities.
•    Ensure effective monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of partnership and collaboration activities to track progress and results.
•    Provide regular updates and reports to the Director and senior leadership team on partnership and collaboration activities and outcomes.

Specific Responsibilities

•    Partnership Development: Identifies potential partners, assesses their suitability, and initiates collaboration with those partners who are aligned with Africa CDC’s goals and objectives;
•    Relationship Management: Responsible for maintaining strong relationships with existing partners, ensuring that their needs and expectations are met, and that they are kept informed of the Africa CDC’s progress and impact;
•    Collaboration and Coordination: Works closely with other divisions within Africa CDC to identify areas where partnerships can be leveraged to support Africa CDC’s goals and objectives. This involves collaborating with other teams to develop joint initiatives and programs;
•    Communication: Communicates effectively with partners and donors to build trust and confidence in Africa CDC’s work. This includes regular updates on progress, impact, and future plans;
•    Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitors the effectiveness of partnerships and resource mobilization efforts to ensure that they are aligned with Africa CDC’s strategic objectives and goals. This involves tracking performance metrics, assessing impact, and adjusting as necessary.
•    Develop and implements strategies to secure resources and support from partners and donors. This includes developing proposals, making presentations, and negotiating contracts;
•    Advocate for the mobilization of increased resources and technical assistance by the international donor community to support Africa CDC mandate, raising awareness and commitment for ensuring the effective incorporation of responses in bilateral and multilateral development assistance policies;

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•    Plan, oversee and coordinate the implementation of the division’s objectives and its mainstreaming into continental, regional and national development plans.
•    Provide technical and intellectual support in the management of various partnerships relevant for Africa CDC mission.
•    Identify best practices and monitor effectiveness of the division’s support to AU.
•    Foster and ensure implementation of large-scale and long-term initiatives related to Strategic Partnerships;
•    Provide ongoing technical guidance, policy advice and assistance to the Regional Economic Communities and African Union Member States;
•    Develop, in collaboration with key stakeholders, key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor programme and activities within the division, and make recommendations for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of programme implementation;
•    Undertake periodic field missions to monitor and assess programme implementation and progress, and to ensure compliance with operational procedures (results and logical frameworks);
•    Coordinate and provide substantive support to the development of programme and grant proposals, and resource mobilization.
•    Promote the harmonization and alignment of donor assistance to national strategies and priorities
•    Supervise staff and provide guidance and supervision to national and regional focal points, on the basis of agreed upon biennial plans.
•    Participate in meetings, technical working groups, inter-agency task forces, and other relevant forums;
•    Monitor, prepare, analyse, and evaluate technical reports and other relevant materials in the key areas and facilitate dissemination of good practices;
•    Perform any other duty as may be assigned;

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

•    A Masters university degree in Development studies, Public Health/Health Systems Management, International Relations, Strategic Management Public Policy or International Development or a related field is required
•    Twelve (12) years of relevant work experience with a minimum of seven (7) and five (5) years’ experience in a managerial and supervisory role (s) respectively.
•    Proven track record of building partnerships and driving business growth, ability to identify potential partners, negotiate deals, and close partnerships that align with Africa CDC’s goals.
•    Experience in planning, managing offices, project management, programs and portfolios;
•    Experience with successfully interacting with stakeholders and decision-makers in technical and other professional settings;

Required Skills

•    Excellent capacity for developing and maintaining a network of contacts with potential donors and partners.
•    Excellent diplomatic, representational, interpersonal and communication skills
•    Excellent technical writing skills, translating highly technical information into presentations, briefings and report and funding proposals for both technical and lay audiences;
•    Adaptable and able to work effectively with a range of partners across different types of organisations (international, government, non-government) and at global, regional and country levels.
•    Resourceful and skilled at collecting, analysing and using data to recommend, make and communicate decisions of a technical nature to lay audiences.
•    Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
•    High level of judgement, responsibility and initiative.
•    Integrity, tact and discretion dealing with sensitive issues.
•    Proficiency in one of the AU working languages is required (English, French, Arabic, Kiswahili, Portuguese or Spanish). Fluency in English and knowledge of any additional language is an added advantage

Leadership Competencies

Core Competencies

Functional Competencies