Principal Programme Management Officer

The United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) was created in 2010 to strengthen the United Nations’ interaction with the African Union. UNOAU is mandated to contribute to enhancing the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union in the area of peace and security, provide coordinated and consistent United Nations advice to the African Union on both long-term capacity-building and short-term operational support, and streamline the United Nations presence in Addis Ababa to be more cost-effective and efficient in delivering United Nations assistance to the African Union. UNOAU plays a key role in the implementation of the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, signed by the United Nations Secretary-General and Chairperson of the African Union Commission on 19 April 2017. This position is located at the IOPS Section at UNOAU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Within delegated authority, incumbent of the post reports to the Director Political Affairs. For more information on UNOAU, please visit our website below: https://unoau.unmissions.org

Serve as the focal point on overall peace support operations (PSOs) planning and strategic advice, as well as technical support to the African Union (AU); Coordinate and supervise the activities of the Institutional and Operational Partnerships Service in the delivery of expert advice and technical support to the AU in military and police operations, mine action, security-related matters,mission support planning, training, security sector reform (SSR) and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR), ensuring that such support is effectively integrated and mutually reinforcing, and that there is coherence, consistency, enhanced planning and coordination in thesupport to the AU; Ensure that operational outputs are translated into inputs for strategic decision- making in the planning, deployment, management, and liquidation of ongoing AU peace support operations (PSOs) within the framework of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), particularly the African Standby Force (ASF); Provide overall guidance in operationalizing the necessary financing mechanisms and support processes for AU PSOs and their corollary oversight mechanisms; Manage day-to-day interaction with the AU on peacekeeping-related matters and maintain coordination with Member States, the European Union, United Nations partners, regional and sub- regional organizations, donors, and other relevant stakeholders in this area; Provide strategic leadership/ management necessary for a clear vision and oversight to ensure that all operational activities are underpinned by political imperative; Contribute to strategic level political and operational engagement with the African Union, RECs/RMs and its partners on peace and security issues in Africa, and ensure adequate reporting to and coordination with UN Headquarters and other United Nations system entities; Assist in strengthening the strategic and operational coordination between the AU, partners, and the UN system on issues related to the development of the ASF, within the framework of the African Peace and Security Architecture. And ongoing AU PSOs; Provide policy guidance to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, through the Deputy Head of Office/Director, Political Affairs on development and implementation of strategies, by monitoring and analysing developments in the AU PSOs, SSR and DDR, identifying significant trends and their impact on the AU-UN partnership in peace and security, as well as through coordination with relevant components of UNOAU; and the provision of timely and accurate analyses, reports, background papers, briefing notes, talking points and other required documents; Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with relevant UN PKOs and SPMs in Africa, with relevant Departments at UNHQ, including the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), Peace Operations (DPO) and Operational Support (DOS), as well as other UN entities and partners, with a view to harmonized approaches between the AU and UN on issues of common interest and coordinated and consistent United Nations support to AU PSOs; Coordinate the preparation of inputs and reporting for results-based budgeting and evaluation of staff performance for the Service, as well as participating in recruitment and selection of new staff; Oversee the development and implementation of partnership strategies and work plans with the AU and other partners; Provide programmatic and substantive reviews of drafts, contributing to the reporting to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate.

Professionalism:-Shows pride in work and in achievements-Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter with strong knowledge of United Nations system, in particular the United Nations work in peacekeeping and institutional knowledge of the work of the African Union, including the strategic partnership between the AU and the UN. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work-. Planning & Organizing:-Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required-Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work-Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning-Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary-Uses time efficiently. Client Orientation:-Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients " and seeks to see things from clients' point of view-Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect- Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions-Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems-Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects-Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Leadership:-Serves as a role model that other people want to follow-Empowers others to translate vision into results-Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support- Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo-Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Judgement and Decision Making:-Identify the key issues in a complex situation and comes to the heart of the problem quickly-Gathers relevant information before making a decision-Considers positive and negative impacts on others and on the organization-proposes a course of action or recommendation based on all available information-Checks assumptions against facts-Determines that the action proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision-Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in management studies, social sciences, public administration, military studies or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with four additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Not available.

At least fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, military, police, public or business administration is required. Experience in planning and providing strategic advice is required. Operational experience with a peacekeeping or peace enforcement or peace support mission is required. Relevant experience within the United Nations system and/or in another organization on peace and security matters, is desirable. A proven track record of leadership and management in multicultural settings, including coordination of interdisciplinary teams is required.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult

https://languages.un.org

for details).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level IV

UN Level IV

UN Level IV

UN Level IV

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

This post is financed by the Support Account for Peacekeeping Operations. • Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. • The appointment or assignment and renewal therefore subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. • At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. • The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. • For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 July 2026, are strongly encouraged to apply. Un-represented: Andorra, Brunei Darussalam, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu. Under-represented: Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, China, Cuba, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Libya, Liberia, Luxembourg, Monaco, Oman, Paraguay, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Turkmenistan, United States of America • The recommendation or selection decision for this position shall be void if the recommended or selected candidate does not obtain a clearance according to ST/SGB/2005/7 on designation of staff members performing significant functions in the management of financial, human or physical resources. • Education qualification exceeding the specified requirement of this job opening including university degrees and certificates shall not give rise to additional entitlements or benefits, or facilitate a move to the Professional category. The movement of staff members from the General Service and related categories to the Professional category in the United Nations Secretariat is exclusively allowed through the Young Professionals Programme competitive examinations. Only a few staff members pass the competitive examinations. Passing the competitive examinations does not guarantee movement to the Professional category. For further information, please visit https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=GP. • Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter. Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2): (1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and (2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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