Gender Officer (AUSSOM)

The Gender Officer reports to the Senior Gender Officer and supports the implementation of gender mainstreaming, Women, Peace and Security (WPS), and protection-related activities in support of the Mission’s mandate. The incumbent contributes to promoting gender equality and the integration of gender perspectives across Mission components, including civilian, police, and military elements. The Officer supports coordination, capacity-building, monitoring, reporting, and engagement with relevant stakeholders on gender, protection, and conflict-related issues in complex and high-risk operational environments.

Main Functions

•    Supports the implementation of AU and UN policies and frameworks relating to gender equality and the WPS agenda within the Mission.
•    Contributes to the integration of gender perspectives across Mission planning, operations, policies, programmes, and activities involving civilian, police, and military components.
•    Supports the development and delivery of gender-related training, awareness, and capacity-building initiatives for Mission personnel and relevant stakeholders.
•    Assists in monitoring, reporting, and analysis relating to gender mainstreaming, gender equality, and conflict-related gender issues within the Mission area.
•    Supports engagement and coordination with government institutions, civil society organizations, women’s groups, UN entities, and other relevant stakeholders on gender-related matters.
•    Contributes to initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality, women’s participation, protection, and inclusion in peace, stabilization, and recovery processes.

Specific Responsibilities

•    Supports the integration of WPS considerations into Mission planning, operations, policies, and activities.
•    Assists in implementing gender mainstreaming initiatives across civilian, police, and military Mission components in accordance with AU and Mission policies.
•    Supports the collection, analysis, and management of gender-related information and data for reporting, planning, and policy development purposes.
•    Contributes to the preparation of gender-related reports, briefing notes, analytical inputs, and other documentation required by the Mission.
•    Assists in developing and delivering gender awareness and capacity-building programmes for Mission personnel and relevant stakeholders.
•    Supports engagement and coordination with Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) institutions, UN entities, civil society organizations, women’s groups, and other relevant stakeholders on gender-related issues.
•    Assists in promoting gender-responsive approaches to stabilization, protection, recovery, and community engagement activities within the Mission area.
•    Supports initiatives aimed at addressing conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and promoting the participation and inclusion of women in peace and security processes.
•    Contributes to results-based reporting, monitoring, and evaluation processes relating to gender mainstreaming activities within the Mission.
•    Maintains proper records, databases, and information management tools relating to gender activities and initiatives.
•    Performs any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

•    Master’s degree (Bac +5) in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Human Rights, Law, Public Administration, Development Studies, or related field with two (2) years of relevant professional experience. 

Or

•    Bachelor’s degree degree (Bac +3) in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Human Rights, Law, Public Administration, Development Studies, or related field with five (5) years of relevant professional experience,
•    Progressively responsible experience in providing policy advice and managing programmes related to the promotion of gender equality, particularly within international organizations operating in conflict or post-conflict settings, is required
•    Experience in successfully integrating gender perspectives into mainstream policies or programmes is required 
•    Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) – or similar international organization or non-governmental organization is desirable 
•    Experience working on the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Africa is desirable. 
•    Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable

Required Skills

•    Ability to work under minimal supervision and demonstrate initiative and proactiveness. 
•    Integrity, professionalism, flexibility, enthusiasm, and commitment in carrying out assigned responsibilities.
•    Ability to work effectively in multicultural, multidisciplinary, and high-risk operational environments. 
•    Good organization and planning skills. 
•    Effective time management skills. 
•    Excellent interpersonal skills. 
•    Ability to work in a team. 
•    Strong communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills. 
•    Working knowledge of computer applications (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). 
•    Ability to manage multiple tasks and work effectively under pressure with diverse stakeholders and institutions. 
•    Knowledge of gender mainstreaming, WPS, and conflict-related SGBV frameworks and policies.
•    Maintenance of confidentiality at all times.

Leadership Competencies

Managing Risk

Change Management

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

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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 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$ 76,908.58 per annum P2 (Step 5) locally recruited staff of the Commission.

Applications must be submitted no later than June 29, 2026 11h59 p.m. EAT

- This position is restricted to Somali nationals

- 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, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Sahrawi D.R., Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, and Somalia.

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