The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Policy Officer – Early Warning / DRR Expert (SEWA)(ARBE)
Req Id: 2827
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Reports to: SEWA Project Coordinator
Directorate/Department : Sustainable Environment & Blue Economy
Division : Sustainable Environment
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Number of Positions: 1
Job Grade: P2
Purpose of Job
- The African Union Commission (AUC) has secured funding from the European Union for the implementation of the Space for Early Warning in Africa (SEWA) project.
- The main objective of SEWA is to enhance the capacity to produce and deliver space-based services and applications, data and information, for early warning systems related to hazardous weather or climate events.
- The AUC is responsible for the overall continental coordination of the project, which has five outputs:
- Improved access to, processing, applicability and use of Earth Observation (EO) data, with a focus on meteorological data, and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) products and services for Early Warning;
- Established and operated African Meteorological Satellite Application Facility (AMSAF), including possible support for forecasting capabilities at different ranges;
- Co-designed and delivered Impact-Based Forecast services and tools;
- Enhanced coordination with institutional framework for hazardous weather and climate Early Warning and shared knowledge across regions; and
- Strengthened human capacities, knowledge and community shaping across the Early Warning value chain with a focus on space-based data and technologies.
Main Functions
- The Policy Officer (Early Warning/DRR Expert), working closely with the Meteorology Expert, will provide expertise in early warning, make technical follow-ups with the DRR and early warning stakeholders, and ensure smooth execution of early warning technical work.
- The officer will also support training activities to enhance capacities in the development and use of early warning products.
- S/he will foster networks with the academia, and research and training institutions including, DRR and early warning communities.
- The officer will promote synergy building with the meteorological communities and other sectors that utilize early warnings.
Specific Responsibilities
- Support the implementation SEWA-related activities, including preparing and developing reports, budgets, and project work plans
- Actively contribute to the development of regional strategies, policies, programs, and plans to strengthen SEWA systems
- Provide technical and administrative support to the Programme Coordinator in all SEWA-related activities
- Work closely with Member States and partners to facilitate strengthening of new/existing DRR/EW-related User Interface Platforms (UIPs) in the regions and their use for co-design, co-production, evaluation and feedback from all stakeholders, and to refine and improve impact-based forecasting services and tools
- Support development and access to customized anticipatory action triggers, mapping of key hazards and the production of risk maps at regional and nations levels
- Facilitate networking and foster peer-to-peer experience sharing among SEWA countries and regions, encouraging knowledge exchange and collaboration
- Provide support to the establishment and implementation of the governance arrangements of AMSAF
- Offer technical support in the development of resource mobilization strategies, ensuring alignment with regional stakeholders.
- Support the organization of the biennial African fora for the project’s life-span
- Ensure coordination with the AMHEWAS programme and with international relevant bodies related to EO data needs and decision-making processes for Early Warning
- Facilitate collaboration between weather and climate agencies, research institutions, and technology companies to innovate and improve IBF capabilities and warning tools
- Liaise with WMO Regional Training Centres on the delivery of tailored trainings to experts from RCCs and Member States
- Perform any other related duties assigned by supervisor.
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
- Candidates must have a minimum of a master’s degree in environmental studies, Sustainable Development, Geography, Meteorology, Climatology, or related field and minimum of two (2) years relevant work experience in multi-hazard early warning systems, anticipatory action, impact-based forecasting and issues in Africa including in early warning
OR
- A bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, Sustainable Development, Geography, Meteorology, Climatology, or related field and minimum of five (5) years in multi-hazard early warning systems, anticipatory action, impact-based forecasting and issues in Africa including in early warning
- Experience in environmental and natural resources management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, meteorology involving multi-stakeholders such as Regional Economic Communities, Member States and Development Partners.
- Experience in projects delivering environmental and climate services or remoting sensing and GIS will have an added advantage.
- Experience in environmental and climate monitoring projects, use of GIS in support of sustainable development.
- Technical expertise and experience in supporting multi-hazard early warning programmes with special emphasis on strengthening spatial technologies and earth observation (EO)
Required Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Sound planning and organizational skills
- Ability to negotiate diplomatically
- Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority with regard to performance management and professional development
- Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage
Leadership Competencies:
- Change Management
- Managing Risk
Core Competencies:
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Accountability awareness and Compliance
- Learning Orientation
- Communicating with Influence
Functional Competencies:
- Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Job Knowledge and Information Sharing
- Drive for Results
- Continuous Improvement Focus
Tenure Of Appointment
- The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period.
- Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverable
Language:
- Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.
Remuneration
- The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 85,212.07 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 66,751.81 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.
Application Closing Date
22nd October, 2025.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
