Head Of Planning Monitoring And Evaluation Division (OSPD)

Purpose of Job

The Division of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation consolidates functions related to strategic planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, as well as results-based management. The Division’s main focus is to:

• Guide and support institutional-wide strategic planning, including multi-year and multi-partner planning
• Ensure simplified, evidence-based, and coherent annual planning and resource allocation
• Strengthen results-based management and reporting/analysis on impact and outcomes
• Simplify processes and systems; develop tools, guidance, and normative frameworks that are more user-friendly
• Provide predictable and useful support to the AUC and other AU Organs
• Ensure organizational coherence in achieving corporate strategic priorities

The incumbent will lead the service and its related change management.

Main Functions

Strategic Leadership

• Oversee the development of respective continental strategic frameworks and ensure alignment
• Align the Division’s vision with the AU Strategic Plan 2024–2028 and STYIP moonshots
• Oversee the institutionalization of Results-Based Management (RBM) across AU organs
• Lead the development of tools and frameworks for simplified, user-friendly planning and reporting

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Implement the AU’s robust M&E framework, including KPIs from the Strategic Plan Scorecard (Annex 1)
• Track progress on moonshots such as "Every Member State Attains Middle-Income Status" and "Africa as a Global Player"
• Coordinate biennial reviews of Agenda 2063 and annual progress reports for AU Policy Organs

Capacity Building and Innovation

• Strengthen PME systems using digital tools (e.g., AI, data analytics) to automate reporting and enhance decision-making
• Build capacity across AU departments, RECs, and member states in strategic planning, M&E, and gender-responsive budgeting

Stakeholder Engagement

• Foster partnerships with RECs, UN agencies, development partners, and civil society to harmonize continental and global agendas (e.g., SDGs, AfCFTA)
• Lead consultations to integrate stakeholder feedback into planning cycles

Resource Mobilization and Risk Management

• Liaise with the Risk Management Division of the Commission to update the union’s risk register and develop a mechanism for monitoring and mitigating risks
• Align budgeting with the AU Strategic Plan’s funding priorities
• Mitigate risks identified in the AU Corporate Risk Register, including funding shortfalls and geopolitical disruptions

Specific Responsibilities

• Institutionalization of Results-Based Management within the union
• AU-wide long-term and medium-term strategic planning, implementation, and delivery
• Monitoring and evaluation of strategy implementation across the Union
• Capacity building in strategic planning, monitoring, and evaluation within the AUC and other AU Organs
• Ensure that AU’s resources are efficiently allocated and used based on data and evidence on expected impact, assessed needs, priorities, and gaps
• Define and assign accountability to stakeholders in the development and implementation of the results framework through a consultative process
• Coordinate approaches to the assessment and prioritization of strategic initiatives by aligning strategic decisions at the AUC level to those taken by the AU Policy Organs and RECs
• Ensure that adequate levels of innovation and automation are applied in developing tools and systems and in their implementation
• Ensure that internal control mechanisms are operational and applied within the Division
• Establish mechanisms to enhance team building within the Division and across Divisions, AUC departments, and other AU Organs to promote sound deliverables
• Provide advice and monitor compliance with strategic directions decided by the Organization through the Division, in the relevant field of responsibility, and provide data-based analytics to promote improvements and efficiencies
• Provide strategic guidance within the Division and to all other stakeholders (within and outside AU) on applicable policies and strategies within AU on subjects covered by the Division, providing clear outlines on the implementation and monitoring of these frameworks
• Engage and manage Division’s staff and consultancies for designing, developing, testing, and applying the required technical tools for the proposed results frameworks
• Bring coherence and build linkages with partners within and outside of the Organization
• Develop action plans and lead management change

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Master’s Degree in Strategic Management, Business Administration, Economics, Statistics, or other relevant areas.
• At least 12 years of working experience in a relevant strategic management field; of which seven (7) years should be at managerial level and five (5) years at supervisory level.
• Advanced training in planning, monitoring, and evaluation is needed, including exposure to and understanding of trends and developments with respect to the data revolution.
• Working experience in planning, monitoring, and evaluation, including experience in setting up and managing PME systems at national or regional levels.
• Evidence of regional and international experience.

Required Skills

• A demonstrated ability to initiate and promote collaborative approaches between geographically and culturally disparate partners.
• Demonstrable expertise in project management, balanced scorecard, and key performance indicators.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally.
• Ability to develop and delegate clear program goals, plans, and actions, including budgets, that are consistent with agreed strategies.
• Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop, and evaluate staff.
• Computer literacy and use of modern means of communication tools.
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages; fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies

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

Core Competencies

• Building Relationships
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating Clearly

Functional Competencies

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and Information Sharing
• Drive for Results
• Fosters Innovation