African Union recruits 01 SENIOR SCIENTIFIC OFFICER
External Publication of Job Posting 50630200
Job Posting Title : SENIOR SCIENTIFIC OFFICER (AU-IAPSC)
Start Date : 14.05.2019
End Date : 17.06.2019
Reference Code : 10001443 – 03
Job Title : SENIOR SCIENTIFIC OFFICER (AU-IAPSC)
Organization
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 at Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.
The Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (AU-IAPSC) is a regional office based in Yaounde, Cameroon under the
Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA). It is responsible for plant health, pesticides and SPS
standards.
In seeking to achieve its objectives, the African Union invites applicants, who are citizens of Member States to
apply for the vacant post of Senior Scientific Officer, within the Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (AU-IAPSC)
in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Department
1. Post:
Job Title: Senior Scientific Officer
Post Level: P3
Department: Interafrican Phytosanitary Council (AU-IAPSC), Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture
(DREA)
Duty Station: Yaounde, Cameroon
Supervisor: Director of AU-IAPSC
Number of Position: 1
Tasks
2. Major Duties and Responsibilities:
• Coordinate the activities of the Entomology, pests and pesticides Section and submit regular reports to
the Director;
• Plan, develop, and implement the approved activities related to Entomology, Pests and pesticides
issues;
• Organize expert meetings, seminars, workshops and supervise training workshops;
• Prepare work plans and proposed budgets for submission to AU-IAPSC Director;
• Collate and compile relevant information on phytosanitary standards setting and make it available for
publication and circulation;
• Produce technical papers on Entomology, Pests and pesticides issues;
• Ensure that the Plant Health Information System (AU-IAPSC) is updated with relevant information on
Entomology, pests and pesticides;
• Develop bankable projects for submission to donors and ensure funds mobilization for new projects, in
line with AU-IAPSC’s Strategic Plan;
• Establish a database of Entomology experts from which members of technical panels and working
groups would be selected for standards setting;
• Promote the understanding of entomology standards by African countries and identify priority topics to
submit to IPPC Secretariat for standards setting;
• Identify specific topics to the Continent for regional standardization or prompting the development of
regional standards;
• Analyze information, with the help of experts when necessary, and suggest African positions/comments
on draft standards submitted to countries for consultation;
• Provide technical guidance for preparation of attendance of African Member States and RECs in
meetings of standards setting bodies;
• Ensure update of pests lists for individual AU Member States and the African Continent;
• Coordinate activities on entomology, pests and pesticides implemented by RECs;
• Provide support in the development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation system that
allows assessing the progress made by Member States in terms of participation in IPPC standard setting
activities;
• Provide support in the publishing of related technical documents and briefs (in AU working languages);
• Develop training modules in Entomology, pests and pesticide within relevant services of the Member States;
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Director of AU-IAPSC
Requirements
3. Educational qualifications and experience required
Candidates must have at least:
a Master’s University Degree in Entomology from a recognized university and at least 7 years of work
experience in Entomology, Quarantine or any related fields; out of which 3 years should be at supervisory level.
OR
a University Bachelor degree in Entomology from a recognized university and at least 10 years of work
experience in Entomology, Quarantine or any related field; out of which 5 years should be at supervisory level.
In addition to:
a. Experience in Research and Development related to Entomology;
b. Experience in working with International Organizations or Institutions.
Experience at managerial level would be an added advantage.
4. Skills and competencies required:
Functional Skills
• Computer literacy, and ability to use MS PowerPoint, MS Excel, MS Word.
• Working knowledge of programme/project management;
• Good drafting and reporting skills;
• Good analytical skills
Personal Skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Teamwork and ability to organize and motivate others;
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
Knowledge Skills
• Good communication skills;
• Ability to take initiative.
5. Language Requirement:
Proficiency in at least one of the African Union working languages (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese);
knowledge of other working languages would be an added advantage.
6. Tenure of Appointment:
The appointment will be made on a regular term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve
months will be considered a probationary period. Thereafter the contract shall be renewable every two years
subject to good performance and deliverables.
7. Gender Mainstreaming:
The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
8. Least Representative Countries
Candidates from the following least represented countries are encouraged to apply: Eritrea, Central African
Republic, Cape Verde, Comoros, Congo (DRC), Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Mauritania, Namibia,
Sahrawi Arab Republic, Madagascar, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles and Somalia.
9. Remuneration:
Indicative basic salary of US$37,453.00 (P3 Step 1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post
adjustment 48% of basic salary, Housing allowance $ 18,396.00 per annum and education allowance (100% of
tuition and other education related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10,000.00
per child per annum), for internationally recruited staff and a maximum of $3,300 per child per annum for locally
recruited staff.
How to apply
Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website
http://www.aucareers.org no later than 17 June 2019.
1. Attach detailed and updated curriculum vitae/resume including three (3) referees with good knowledge.
Of candidate’s work, please, provide referees’ contact details – telephone and e-mail addresses.
2. Copy of valid passport.
3. Certified copies of educational qualifications – degrees, diplomas and certificates, where applicable (Not
4. More than 5 Documents in PDF Format, and not exceeding 1 MB).
5. Please be aware that only complete applications will be considered.
6. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the
basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants
must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work
experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate
applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and
evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be
amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a
reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Directorate of Administration and Human Resources Management
African Union Commission
Contract Type
Regular (Long Duration)
Employment Fraction
Full-time
Branch
IAPSC, Yaounde