Departmental Planning Officer (OSPD)

Purpose of Job

The African Union launched the Second Ten Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of the Agenda 2063. Concurrently, the African Union Commission (AUC) is undergoing significant reforms to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen governance, and improve service delivery by institutionalizing Results Based Management (RBM).

To facilitate this, OSPD led the development of the AU-wide Implementation Plan (2024 – 2028), which must be cascaded to several Organs and Specialized Technical Offices. Systematic institutionalization of RBM requires a departmental planner experienced in planning the respective guidance frameworks.

OSPD needs to recruit a departmental planning expert to transition the AU into RBM, requiring effective coordination of a wide spectrum of stakeholders.

Under the supervision of the Head of Division – Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Division (P5), the Officer will be responsible for:

• Periodic review and management of AU frameworks
• Implementation of specified initiatives to ensure appropriate adoption of RBM
• Recommendations for aligning leadership, organizational culture, systems, and processes

Main Functions

• Coordinate and align the work of OSPD and internal demands for support on RBM
• Manage information flow into OSPD, ensuring timely commitments and report submissions
• Conduct due diligence on reports to ensure accuracy and alignment with AU frameworks
• Effectively manage and respond to ad hoc, high-impact issues
• Identify issues of duplication and propose areas of synergy among AU departments
• Support design and management of the corporate strategic results framework
• Ensure all components of the Operational Management Pillar are functional
• Ensure effective coordination of the RBM transition process across the AU

Specific Responsibilities

• Support assessment of AU readiness to improve RBM
• Enhance quality of programme management through alignment of reporting structures
• Support processes of scorecard management and reporting
• Prepare project progress reports on RBM framework implementation
• Consolidate content for meetings, seminars, and workshops
• Represent the Director's perspective to raise awareness on RBM
• Perform any other relevant functions as assigned

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in public/business administration, Project/Programme Management, or Strategic Management with ten (10) years of experience
• Master’s degree in the same fields with seven (7) years of experience
• At least three (3) years of senior-level experience providing expert advisory services
• Professional Chartered Secretary certification is desirable

Required Skills

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Excellent judgment
• Sound decision-making
• High levels of discretion and confidentiality
• Good time management and organizational skills
• Presentation skills
• Ability to work across business units/geographies; cultural sensitivity
• Proficiency in one AU working language; fluency in another AU language or French is an advantage

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Insight
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Accountability Awareness and Compliance
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Impact

Functional Competencies

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Focus

Skills Required:

• Hr / Public / Admin
• Sales / Marketing / Business / Management
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development