Director of Centres for Public Health Emergency Management (AfCDC) at African Union: (Deadline 11 March 2024)

Organization Information

Reports to: Deputy Director General 

Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC

Division: Office of the Deputy Director General 

Number of Direct Reports:

Number of Indirect Reports:

Job Grade: D1

Number of positions: 1

Contract Type: Regular

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 

Purpose of Job

The Director of Centres for Public Health Emergency Management is responsible for leading and strategically managing the Centres, aligning with the overarching goals of the Africa CDC. This includes strategic planning, program development, emergency response coordination, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. The individual in this role plays a crucial part in ensuring the center’s preparedness and effectiveness in managing public health emergencies.

Main Functions

• Develop and implement strategic policies aligned with the department’s goals to address key issues in disease control, prevention, and health promotion.
• Design comprehensive policy programs to effectively achieve strategic objectives.
• Contribute to the development and ensure the implementation of the departmental business continuity plan at the division level.
• Oversee and supervise employees within the division, fostering a productive and collaborative work environment.
• Manage divisional risk and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to the creation of an inspiring work environment conducive to staff development and professional progression.
• Engage with stakeholders within Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the design and implementation of strategies.
• Represent the organization at conferences and other public forums, articulating its position and fostering partnerships.
• Mobilize funding from donors to execute strategies and activities effectively.
• Oversee the preparation of periodic financial and budget execution reports, monitoring budget execution at the divisional level.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in shaping policies and strategies related to public health emergency management.
• Design, implement, and evaluate programs aimed at enhancing public health emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to develop and update protocols for different types of emergencies.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for public health emergencies, coordinating responses and ensuring effective communication among relevant stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national emergency response agencies.
• Manage the center’s budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and resource allocation for emergency preparedness initiatives.
• Identify and secure funding opportunities through grants, partnerships, and other means.
• Oversee the development and delivery of training programs for staff, healthcare professionals, and community partners to enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
• Collaborate with public health agencies, government entities, healthcare organizations, and community groups to foster a coordinated and effective response to public health emergencies.
• Communicate effectively with the media, public, and other stakeholders during emergencies.
• Engage with stakeholders within Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the design and implementation of strategies.
• Oversee the preparation of periodic financial and budget execution reports, monitoring budget execution at the divisional level.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Advanced degree (Ph.D., MD, or equivalent) in Public Health, Medical Sciences or equivalent.
• Master’s degree in public health, Epidemiology or equivalentt with a minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience in public health management. Eight (8) of which should have been served at managerial level and five (5) years at supervisory level.
• Proven track record in leadership roles within public health or scientific research organizations.
• Experience in international organizations is preferred.

Essential

• Academic and Experience Requirements
• Significant experience of developing senior-level external relationships and securing the highest-level advocacy, including developing and harnessing strong networks across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Advance understanding of stakeholder engagement.
• Extensive experience of leading, motivating and managing teams with the ability to promote a culture of high performance, continuous improvement and innovation.
• Experience and successful track record working in a diverse complex fast paced environments and the ability to influence positive change.
• Strong leadership and strategic management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Proficient in risk management and organizational resilience.
• Demonstrated capability in resource mobilization and financial management.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse, multi-cultural environment.

Desirable

• Experience of working in international affairs in an international organization
• Experience of working with external partners, funders, and media.
• An understanding of changing economic, political, and social environments affecting the Africa CDC.
• An understanding and analysis of Africa and global political space and atmosphere
• High level of diplomatic and communication etiquette.
• High level interpersonal skills.

Required Skills

Result Oriented:

• Strategic thinker, capable of working at a senior level and contributing at Board/Council level
• Entrepreneurial with the ability to input on strategic planning from a commercial standpoint
• Ability to anticipate future opportunities and problems, taking strategic and pre-emptive action
• Ability to set and achieve comprehensive goals for performance and growth
• Passion for working in the developing world and creating positive change

Leadership:

• Inspire confidence and promote shared values that underpin the ethos of the African Union and Africa CDC
• Inspires others, is visible, adaptive, authentic and engenders trust
• Visible leadership, promoting collective leadership for taking teams through significant programmes of change.
• Passion and commitment for continuous improvement
• Ambitious individual who has personal drive to succeed and develop their own career, and support their teams to strive for excellence.
• Political and diplomatic prowess
• Building and Managing Teams:
• Directs and coaches’ others throughout the organisation and enables people to perform at their best.
• Ability to recognise and cultivate rising talent.
• Creates a positive team environment.
• Creates cohesion, developing synergies and achieves through common goals.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• High emotional and social intelligence.
• Collaborative, supportive, calm under pressure, solution focused and able to lead others effectively in such a way that encourages maximum performance and engagement.
• Exceptional communicator both in writing and in person to a range of audiences.

Relationship Management:

• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and negotiate with a wide range of stakeholders and partners.
• The gravitas and credibility to influence both within and beyond the organisation

Analytical Skills:

• Conceptual thinker, innovative and capable of complex problem solving
• The ability to work well under pressure and take a considered, measured position

Results Orientated:

• Desire for success and the motivation to constantly seek improvement
• Ability and drive to manage organisational complexity
• A high level of resilience with the ability to initiate and drive decisions
• Tenacious, adaptable and the ability to get things done
• The highest levels of self-awareness, commitment, and integrity
• A proven commitment to fairness, inclusion, equality, diversity, and transparency

Values: A strong commitment to the African Union and Africa CDC values

Leadership Competencies

Core Competencies

Functional Competencies