Director, International & Public Affairs, African Union

About the role

The Director of the African Union Office serves as the Church's senior representative to the African Union and leads its diplomatic and public affairs presence in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The role builds lasting relationships with AU institutions, member-state missions, diplomatic representatives, NGOs and faith-based partners, represents Church positions accurately, coordinates engagement by Church leaders and affiliated humanitarian entities, and provides on-the-ground leadership, continuity and operational oversight.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute an approved engagement plan for the African Union, diplomatic missions, multilateral bodies, NGOs and faith-based partners.
• Represent the Church professionally in diplomatic, public affairs, interfaith, humanitarian and civil-society settings.
• Maintain stakeholder maps, engagement histories, priorities and follow-up records.
• Coordinate with Church headquarters on political, social, humanitarian, religious-freedom and reputational context for African Union engagement.
• Prepare briefing materials, correspondence, meeting strategies, visit programmes, reports and recommendations for Church leaders and headquarters.
• Coordinate with Area leadership of Africa-based presidencies, headquarters departments and diplomatic offices to ensure unity and appropriate approvals.
• Lead office operations, including personnel, budgets, security, protocols, records, facilities, vendors and compliance with Church policies and local requirements.
• Plan and support visits, consultations, events and delegations involving senior Church leaders and external dignitaries.
• Elevate risks and sensitive matters promptly, and manage staff, recommending hiring, performance, advancement and status changes with Human Resources.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in international relations, diplomacy, public policy, law, political science, public affairs, African studies, development or a related field, or equivalent education and experience.
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in diplomacy, multilateral affairs, government relations, international public affairs or humanitarian engagement.
• Demonstrated experience working with senior government, diplomatic, multilateral, faith or civil-society leaders in Africa.
• Experience managing an office, staff, budgets, security, visits, events and sensitive records.
• Legal eligibility to reside and work in Addis Ababa and to travel regularly throughout Africa and internationally.
• Preferred: Master's degree, professional proficiency in French or another AU working language, and prior experience with the African Union, a diplomatic mission, an international organization or a major NGO.

Required skills

• Strong understanding of African Union institutions, diplomatic protocol, regional dynamics and international development or humanitarian issues.
• Exceptional judgment, discretion, cultural intelligence, relationship management, writing, briefing, negotiation and public representation.
• Ability to work independently in a complex international environment while staying aligned with authorized direction.
• Fluency in English and ability to work across linguistic and cultural settings.