SENIOR SCIENTIFIC OFFICER (MARINE AND COASTAL AREA, GMES & AFRICA)

SENIOR SCIENTIFIC OFFICER (MARINE AND COASTAL AREA, GMES & AFRICA)

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 a New Partnership Worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In seeking to attain this objective, the African Union intends to build its capacity to deliver, among others, the implementation of its organizational structure. Being cognizant of the role that Earth Observation sector plays in socio-economic development, the Commission is now implementing the Global Monitoring of the Environment and Security in Africa (GMES & Africa) initiative.
In this pursuit, the commission invites applicants who are citizens of Member States to fill the position of Senior Scientific Officer for Marine and Coastal Areas for GMES & Africa project in the Science and Technology Division.

1. Post:
Job Title: Senior Scientific Officer (Marine and Coastal Areas service)
Grade: P3
Supervisor: Project Coordinator
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2. Background
The Global Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa (GMES & Africa) initiative seeks to establish a long term capacity development and partnership between the African Union Commission and the European Union with an aim of providing sustainable, reliable and timely services to the public and public policy makers related to environmental and security issues. GMES & Africa is an extension of the European Copernicus programme to Africa. Launched in Lisbon, Portugal on December 7, 2007 during the 2nd EU - Africa Summit in response to the Maputo Declaration signed in October 2006. The initiative also seeks to set-up an overall framework in Africa for Earth Observation (EO) applications with a goal to support national and regional policies through systematic exploitation of Earth Observation data, technologies and services; making use of spin-offs offered by the Copernicus programme.

An Action Plan has been developed with an objective to allow Africa to make full use of the potential of space systems for sustainable development and reinforcing Africa’s capacity and ownership in using and contributing to remote sensing applications. Nine thematic areas were identified: (1) long term management of natural resources, (2) marine and coastal management, (3) water resource management, (4) climate variability and change, (5) disaster risk reduction, (6) food security and rural development, (7) infrastructure and territorial development, (8) conflicts resolution, (9) health. Additionally, five cross-cutting sectors, namely: (a) policy and institutional framework, (b) infrastructure framework, (c) capacity building, (d) financial issues, (e) monitoring and evaluation were identified. The first three thematic areas have already been validated and an identification study for implementation completed. Under this formulation, the Commission is seeking a competitive candidate to fill up the position of Senior Scientific Officer for Marine and Coastal areas thematic chapter.
3. Major duties and responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, the responsibilities and duties of the successful candidate shall include the following:

a. Coordinating the implementation of the proposed Marine and Coastal areas thematic services and applications of GMES & Africa; by offering technical guidance to the Regional Implementation Centers (RICs);

b. Contributing to the Research and Development services pertaining to the services of the thematic chapter;

c. Working with the Grants Management Team to prepare budgets and initiating work plans;

d. Identifying and write project proposals relating to the thematic chapter;
e. Assessing the capacity-building needs of member States in the fields of Remote Sensing, Photogrammetry, GIS and Cartography in relation to the thematic chapter;

f. Based on the need assessments, he/she shall assist in preparing and revising training curriculum materials in collaboration with the Training officer and identify relevant training facilities/institutions;

g. Ensuring quality control and assurance of production work and contributing to the establishment of validation procedures (e.g. validation protocol)

h. Reporting to the overall project coordinator on day to day implementation status of the thematic chapter;

i. With guidance from the overall project Coordinator, he/she shall coordinate the deliverables of the Regional Implementation Centers (RICs) in the thematic chapter to ensure consistent reporting;

j. Developing clear guidelines and facilitate cross-fertilization of applications and services across RICs implementing Marine and Coastal Areas themas;

k. Participating in relevant workshops, seminars and regional meetings.
4. Qualifications and experienced required:
a. A minimum of Master’s Degree in Oceanography, Environmental science, Space Science, Geospatial Technology, Geo-informatics, or related discipline;

b. Fluency in English and/or French. Working knowledge of other official languages of the African Union will be an added advantage;

c. Candidates must have at least 5 years progressive experience, a sound scientific background, two of which must be in a coordination role at international level;

d. Experience working at an international level and knowledge of the African Union system will be an added advantage.

5. Skills and Competencies

a. Candidate must have knowledge of Earth Observation and demonstrate the role of Earth Observation technologies as essential tools for environmental monitoring, in relation to the following services:
i. Monitoring and Forecasting of Oceanography Variables;
ii. Coastal Area Monitoring;
iii. Ship Traffic and Pollution Monitoring;
iv. Marine Weather Forecast;

b. The candidate must have strong conceptual organizational, monumental and leadership qualities. He/she must be interested in emerging tools and techniques relevant for the post.

c. Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods, evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis;

d. Ability to apply monitoring, evaluation and verification skills, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities;

e. Excellent drafting and presentation skills;

f. Ability to manage a multilingual team; and at the same time works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals, combined with ability to work under pressure and in a multicultural environment;

g. Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time and resources efficiently.

h. Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments

i. Sound Computer literacy is desired such as knowledge of generic software applications: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.

6. Gender Mainstreaming:

The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

7. Remuneration:
The salary attached to the position is a fixed lump sum of US$.79,580 (P3 Step 1) per annum inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff. The successful candidate will be covered under the AU medical scheme.

8. Tenure of appointment
The duration of the appointment will be 2 years renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Websitehttp://www.aucareers.org not later than 14th May 2016

Directorate of Administration and Human Resource Management African Union Commission