Job Purpose

The purpose of this position is to support initiatives on child participation and rights in order to put child participation at the centre of the African Union Commission’s (AUC) work. This position will provide operational direction and technical expertise to ensure that child participation is in alignment with AU policy frameworks. This position will assist in developing strategies to empower children as strategic drivers in implementing the AUC Harmful Practices Unit Roadmap to end child marriage and FGM and to place them as equitable partners to pursue justice from decision-makers, prioritising the inclusion of the most vulnerable children.

To achieve this, this position will translate technical aspects of child participation into programmes and policies and will develop strategies and guidelines for adequate inclusion and participation of children and young people across different sectors and levels of the AU. This position includes to build and maintain critical high-level cooperation and coordination with the African Union Commission and other key internal and external stakeholders at all levels in order to enhance regional and national understanding of child participation through partnerships with child-focused agencies, academia, UN agencies and other stakeholders.

Therefore, this position has a representation role in public forums in order to maintain a regional presence for credibility and legitimacy and to enable the African Union Commission to bring the voices of children all the way up from the grassroots level to decision-makers in the member states and AUC.

Major Responsibilities

Technical Support and Position Papers

• Support strategic leadership on children’s participation in support of the regional positioning of the AU as key regional organization in empowering children in implementing strategies.

External Engagement, Networking and Collaboration

• Facilitate external engagement initiatives on child participation related partners in order to ensure that the AUC becomes a child participation regional and credible player.

Policy and Advocacy

• Oversee the development and operationalization of methodologies to involve children and young people in advocacy work with a particular focus on global engagement initiatives.
• Influence the development and implementation of AU policies, strategies, systems or guidelines to include child participation.
• Amplify the voice of children and empower them to participate in decision making and policy formulation and evaluation.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Develop an annual plan which is monitored and evaluated with quarterly reports.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Significant prior experience in working in AU on children and young people’s participation, children’s rights, advocacy and development, is essential;
• Experience in CSO, UN Agency or other international institution is welcome. Extensive knowledge in policy analysis on children’s rights particularly AU policies and programs on children’s rights and health, international human rights and child participation theory and practice.
• Ability to network at high levels including lobbying and policy development with decision-makers.
• Strong research skills and ability to produce reports/policy papers
• Excellent communications and negotiation skills in English is important, any other relevant knowledge of AU languages is an advantage but not a must.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge And Experience

• A proven track record in the organisation or elsewhere in child participation, children’s rights and advocacy.
• Sound knowledge of programme implementation at Continental, National Office and Regional Office level.
• Track record of success in shaping and managing child participation or related programming and policies at a national and regional level.
• Solid knowledge of the AU Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Understanding of child participation, child protection, and advocacy programmes.
• High ability to interact and communicate effectively with children and young people.
• Interpersonal, communication, training and facilitation skills. At least 5 years of relevant international experience, leading advocacy, youth and child participation programmes.
• Solid work experience in national offices (national and grassroots level) and global level (multilaterals) in engaging children and young people in advocacy and external engagement work.

Work Environment/Travel : Travel 30% of the time, but only mission critical events otherwise participate virtually.

Applicant Types Accepted : Local and International Applicants (IA’s) Accepted