AU Liaison Officer - Programme Policy and

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives and building a pathway to peace and prosperity. This role supports the African Risk Capacity (ARC), a specialized agency of the African Union, which aims to enhance Member States' capacity to plan, prepare, and respond to extreme weather events and disasters through early warning, contingency planning, and risk finance.

Job Purpose

The AU Liaison Officer - Programme Policy and Partnerships will play a crucial role in managing and strengthening strategic partnerships between the African Risk Capacity (ARC) and key African Union (AU) bodies, including the AU Commission (AUC) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). This position involves contributing to the implementation of engagement strategies, identifying collaboration opportunities, and fostering effective working relations with AU counterparts and other stakeholders. The role also supports programme policy by analyzing continental and regional frameworks to advise ARC on alignment and strategic approaches. Additionally, the officer will provide essential protocol services for ARC senior management and board members, ensuring smooth execution of high-level missions and events, and representing ARC in relevant meetings. This function is vital for enhancing ARC's outreach, visibility, and alignment with continental policies and initiatives.

Responsibilities

The AU Liaison, Programme Policy and Partnerships Officer, reporting to the Head of Policy and Technical Advisory Services, will manage a portfolio of partnerships, focusing on the African Union Commission (AUC) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). This involves supporting engagement strategies, identifying collaboration opportunities, and negotiating joint agreements. The role requires fostering effective working relations with counterparts, government representatives, and other partners, and initiating outreach activities like workshops and presentations. The officer will also support communication efforts to enhance understanding of the African Risk Capacity (ARC) within the AUC and UNECA, and represent ARC in meetings. Additionally, the position involves collating and analyzing policy documents on disaster risk reduction, climate change, and gender, providing briefs to advise the ARC executive team on alignment with continental and regional frameworks. A key responsibility includes providing protocol services for ARC senior management and board members, assisting with logistics for missions, organizing high-level events, and managing official correspondence and administrative formalities. The role demands strong communication, problem-solving, organizational, and strategic planning skills, with a good understanding of diplomatic norms and the AU/UN system.

Work Experience

Requires at least 5 years of postgraduate professional experience in international development, policy, international relations, or protocol management. Specific experience working with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) is highly valued. Experience providing protocol services for senior officials is also essential.

Skills

Partnership Management, Programme Policy Support, Protocol Management, Communication, Negotiation, Strategic Planning, Problem-Solving, Organization, Diplomatic Norms, Research, Analytical Skills, MS Office Proficiency

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