INTRODUCTION

Save the Children has AU Liaison and Pan Africa Office in Addis Ababa (alongside offices in Brussels, Geneva and New York) that is registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the name of “African Union Liaison and Pan Africa Office”. The office has responsibility for (i) engaging with international and regional institutions such as the African Union Commission and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and (ii) providing support to Save the Children programmes across the African continent. The office also hosts a number of technical advisors who are focused on a full sub-Saharan Africa portfolio.

Save the Children is an organization for talented people with different backgrounds and perspectives. We are proud that our people are representative of the children we work with and we thrive on our diversity. We are an equal opportunity organization dedicated to our core values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity. Our culture is embedded in these values, along with a strong commitment to our Child Safeguarding Protocol, ensuring that all representatives of Save the Children demonstrate the highest standards of behavior towards children both in their private and professional lives.

Save the Children offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development. If you are interested to work in an organization that is determined to achieve dramatic change for the most vulnerable children, we encourage you to look through the job profile below.

ROLE PURPOSE:

Addis Ababa is home to the African Union, a regional institution with AU Liaison and Pan Africa Office impact which plays a critical role in shaping children’s lives and helping to ensure their rights are fulfilled. The AU has a direct role in helping to safeguard the rights of children in Africa who are vulnerable, marginalized, socially excluded and affected by poverty.

Save the Children has a small AU Liaison and Pan Africa Office advocacy office in Addis Ababa (alongside offices in Brussels, Geneva and New York) that influences the AU institutions on issues that affect children’s rights and wellbeing in Africa.

The role holder will play a central part in Save the Children’s engagement with AU Human Rights mechanisms especially the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child to deliver on its mandate. The role holder will also assist in strengthening CSOs and children capacity to influence AU policy decisions and processes to take into account children rights, their perspectives and interests. She or he will have an active part in cross-organizational advocacy activities.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITES

Advocacy

• Advocate for the implementation of and accountability for the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child including by supporting the mandate and activities of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC).
• Facilitate CSOs and children engagement in AU policy decision making processes including relevant technical Specialized Committee and the CSO Forum.
• Undertake timely and strategic advocacy and sustain alliances with key stakeholders at the AUC, African missions during Special Technical Committee and ministerial meetings.
• Provide monthly and quarterly updates to relevant targets within SCI.

Capacity building

• Support the development of complementary reports to ACERWC.
• Strengthen CSO networks including in the Horn of Africa to promote and advocate for children and youth rights.
• Support identification and adoption of the CSO priorities for promoting participation and protection rights of children.
• Training of civil society organizations in advocacy skills in order for them to present their cases to the AU and IGAD completed.

Project Management

• Prepare narrative plans and reports in line with grant requirements.
• Contribute to the management of the Local to AU Liaison and Pan Africa Office, DANIDA and other grants within the implementation framework of the Addis Advocacy Office.

Representation

• Represent Save the Children in external meetings.
• The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within their level of skills and experience.

Job Requirements

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in human rights, law, international relations, economics, politics or a related policy field.
• A minimum of 3 years of substantial advocacy experience preferably with the AUC or other African regional bodies in child rights, child health, child protection or another relevant area.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the child rights mechanisms and structures at the AU.
• Knowledge and understanding of the AU institutions, and their broader role in development and humanitarian issues.
• Experience of working through and together with others, and with providing technical assistance in a respectful manner.
• Demonstrated experience of being part of writing funding proposals.
• Proven ability to speak and communicate effectively, and to tailor messages to different audiences.
• Experience of successfully operating in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English. Working knowledge of French, added advantage
• Commitment to Save the Children’s values

 SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
• Creates a managerial environment to lead, enable and maintain our culture of child safeguarding

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a AU Liaison and Pan Africa Office scale

Collaboration:

• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to; builds and maintains effective relationships with colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters.
• Values diversity and different people’s perspectives, able to work cross-culturally.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• Cuts away bureaucracy and encourages an entrepreneurial approach

 Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency, builds trust and confidence.
• Displays consistent excellent judgement.

ADDITIONAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

 EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

How to Apply

Save the Children is committed to ensuring that all our personnel and programmes are absolutely safe for children. We undertake rigorous procedures during the recruitment process including background checks to ensure that only people suitable to work with children are allowed to join our organization and all candidates will therefore be subject to this scrutiny.

In the selection of its staff, Save the Children is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities.

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at CLICK HERE