Director, Corporate Services (AFSA)

AU Values

• Respect for Diversity and Team Work • Think Africa Above all

• Transparency and Accountability • Integrity and Impartiality

• Efficiency and Professionalism • Information and Knowledge Sharing

Organization Information

Reports to: Director General
Directorate/Department/Organ: African Space Agency-AfSA
Division: Corporate Services
Number of Direct Reports: 3
Number of Indirect Reports: 13
Job Grade: D1
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Reguilar
Location: Cairo, Egypt

Purpose of Job

To provide strategic leadership and oversight of AfSA’s corporate services, including human resources, finance, procurement, administration and information technology, ensuring efficient, accountable and compliant institutional support to the delivery of the Agency’s mandate, and promoting inter-directorate collaboration.

Main Functions

• Assist the Director General in achieving AfSA’s objectives by providing strategic leadership and oversight of the Agency’s corporate services and ensuring effective institutional support.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight of AfSA’s corporate functions, including human resources, finance, procurement, administration, information technology and other support services, in accordance with AU rules, regulations and applicable policies.
• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of corporate policies, procedures, systems and operational frameworks to enhance organizational effectiveness and service delivery.
• Direct and coordinate the activities of the Directorate, ensuring effective collaboration across Divisions and alignment with AfSA’s strategic priorities, annual work plans and performance objectives.
• Ensure effective planning, budgeting, performance management, internal controls and risk management within the Directorate.
• Provide strategic leadership for workforce planning, talent management, staff development and organizational capacity-building in support of AfSA’s institutional objectives.
• Support resource mobilisation and maintain strategic working relationships with AU institutions, Member States, development partners and other relevant stakeholders in areas related to corporate services.

Specific Responsibilities

• Develop and implement corporate services strategies, annual work plans and budgets aligned with AfSA’s mandate, strategic priorities and organizational needs.
• Oversee the delivery and performance of corporate services, including human resources, finance, procurement, administration and information technology, ensuring quality, efficiency and compliance with applicable AU standards.
• Develop, review and implement operational policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines and internal control mechanisms, ensuring alignment with AU rules, regulations and relevant international best practices.
• Lead workforce planning and oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance management, staff development, employee relations and other human resources processes in accordance with applicable AU policies and procedures.
• Provide leadership and supervision to Division Heads and staff within the Directorate, ensuring effective coordination, accountability, quality assurance and achievement of agreed performance targets.
• Coordinate the planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Directorate’s programmes and activities, including the identification and management of operational and institutional risks.
• Provide strategic advice, reports and recommendations to the Director General on corporate services, institutional performance, resource requirements and operational matters.
• Support the implementation of AfSA’s strategic priorities by translating institutional objectives into appropriate corporate services plans, systems, processes and performance indicators.
• Identify and support resource mobilisation opportunities and ensure appropriate financial management, accountability, donor reporting and oversight of resources in accordance with applicable rules and procedures.
• Develop and coordinate capacity-building and staff development initiatives, including training programmes, knowledge-sharing platforms and Communities of Practice, to strengthen institutional capabilities and promote continuous learning.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with AU institutions, Member States, development partners and other relevant stakeholders, and coordinate institutional cooperation on corporate services matters.
• Represent AfSA, as appropriate, in meetings, consultations and engagements with partners and stakeholders on matters related to corporate services and institutional development.
• Support the development and implementation of cooperation frameworks, MoUs and partnership arrangements relevant to the Directorate’s mandate and ensure alignment with AU and AfSA strategic priorities.
• Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, professionalism, diversity, inclusion and results, while ensuring compliance with applicable policies, procedures and institutional standards.
• Perform any other responsibilities assigned by the AfSA Director General.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Human Resources Management, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology/Information Systems, Law, Organizational Development, Management or a related field from a recognized institution.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressive professional experience, including eight (8) years at managerial level and five (5) years at supervisory level.
• Demonstrated experience in managing large organizations or departments and overseeing corporate functions, with experience in the African Union or a similar international/intergovernmental organization being highly desirable.
• Experience in partnership development, resource mobilisation, donor engagement and cooperation with governments and international institutions, as well as relevant professional certifications, would be an added advantage.

Required Skills

• Strong skills in negotiation, diplomacy, and representation at high-level forums
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with top level stakeholders
• Ability to navigate complex intergovernmental processes and regional politics
• Strong leadership and team-building skills
  Strong Managerial delegation, political tact and supervisory skills to achieve documented objectives
• High ethical standards and accountability
• Excellent organizational and planning abilities
• Ability to work effectively with people from various backgrounds and create an environment where diversity is respected
• Ability to identify key strategic opportunities and risks
• Ability to actively seek, identify and apply appropriate technology to improve programme delivery
• Ability to delegate appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority regarding performance management and professional development
• Demonstrated capacity to lead multidisciplinary, multicultural teams across borders
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Leadership Competencies

Core Competencies

Functional Competencies

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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 shall be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of three years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

LANGUAGES:

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:

Indicative basic salary of US$ 78,138.00 (D1 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (48% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 21,832.68 (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.

Applications must be submitted no later than 10 December, 2026 11h59 p.m. EAT.

-Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.
-Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas (Bac+2), Bachelor's degrees (Bac+3), Master's degrees (Bac+5) and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.
-The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
-Candidates from least represented and underrepresented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles.

Least represented countries: Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Sao Tome & Principe, Seychelles, Somalia and Western Sahara.

Under represented countries: Mozambique, Niger, South Africa, South Sudan and Tunisia.