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Job Description

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Job Title: Executive Secretary (AFCONE)

Posting Start Date: 5/5/26

Job Description:

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

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AU CV Template_ENGLISH.docx

Organization Information

Reports to: AFCONE Chairperson

Directorate/Department/Organ: AFCONE (African Commission on Nuclear Energy)

Division: AFCONE Secretariat

Number of Direct Reports: 8

Number of Indirect Reports: 19

Job Grade: P6

Number of Positions: 1

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Location: Pretoria, South-Africa

Purpose of Job

The Executive Secretary is the Chief Executive Officer of the AFCONE Secretariat and is afforded the independence from all external parties to the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) and authority necessary to conduct the affairs of the Secretariat. He/She must give direction and leadership to the Secretariat, to the achievement of AFCONE vision and mission, the development of its work programme, and the attainment of its goals and objectives. He/she supports the AFCONE by advising and informing them of all matters that should be brought to their attention.

The Executive Secretary has overall responsibility for the implementation of the AFCONE Programme of Work, in the Secretariat.

He/she is also responsible for the effective communication of the AFCONE’s programmes and results to the AFCONE and Conference of States Parties, as well as partner bodies.

The Executive Secretary manages the financial resources of the Secretariat within approved policies and procedures, and ensures that the Secretariat’s operations fully conform to the agreements with the Host Country, i.e. South Africa.

He/she is responsible for strategic fundraising, including identifying current and future resource requirements, developing fundraising strategies, submitting proposals, and ensuring adequate reporting to the AFCONE, Conference of States Parties, as well as partners.

Main Functions

The Executive Secretary shall be the Head of the Secretariat of the Commission. He/she shall, inter alia;

Assist the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and the other Members of the Commission in the exercise of their functions;
Supervise and coordinate the work of staff of the Secretariat of the Commission;
Keep proper records of the work of the Commission;
Submit all items that must be considered by the Commission;
Oversee the performance of secretarial and logistical services for the Commission; and
Perform any other activity as may be determined by the Commission.

Specific Responsibilities

Accordingly, the Executive Secretary will specifically be responsible for the following:

Work in close collaboration with the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the AFCONE in all practical aspects and provide information on significant nuclear related developments in Africa;
Provide leadership in the Secretariat for the implementation of the strategic goals and objectives of the AFCONE and ensure that its Programme of Work, which includes projects relating to nuclear safety and security, nuclear-energy, peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology, and technical cooperation, is delivered in a timely and efficient manner and that the human resources required to effectively implement the Programme of Work are adequately met;
Serve the AFCONE and Conference of States Parties and provide them with reports and information concerning the ongoing activities of the Secretariat and any other information requested that is relevant to the work of AFCONE;
In consultations with the AFCONE, and in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Pelindaba, initiate action to resolve issues arising from the implementation of the Treaty and make recommendations to the AFCONE;
Maintain liaison with States, intergovernmental organizations, specialized agencies and energy-related industries on matters concerning the peaceful, safe and secure application of nuclear science and technology as well as nuclear nonproliferation;
Seek and receive suggestions from States Parties, organizations, agencies and industries regarding the activities of AFCONE;
Mobilize technical and financial support required to assist in the work of the AFCONE and negotiate partnership agreements;
Promote greater understanding and support for the Treaty of Pelindaba and the work of the AFCONE, and ensure that its mission, programs, products and services are consistently presented in strong positive image to States, civil society, the media and the general public;
Commission consultants, where necessary and as approved by the AFCONE, to advise on special matters related to the work of AFCONE or conduct expert studies when such work cannot be undertaken by the Secretariat;
Ensure and protect the confidentiality of the work of AFCONE;
Inform States Parties of their share of contribution to the scale of assessment of AFCONE annual budget and report thereon to the AFCONE on a regular basis; Prepare the draft budget and other financial reports of the AFCONE, as well as periodic reports on the implementation of the Programme of Work, for the consideration and approval of the AFCONE;
Carry out any other tasks as may be assigned by the AFCONE.

Academic Requirements And Relevant Experience

Candidates must have at least a Master’s Degree in one of the nuclear fields: Nuclear Science, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Studies, Nuclear Security, Nuclear Safety, Nuclear Safeguards, International Relations and International Law with a specific relationship with nuclear.
Minimum of 14 (fourteen) years of working experience at the national, regional and international levels in either the nuclear non-proliferation field, nuclear safeguards, nuclear security, nuclear safety, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, nuclear diplomacy, disarmament and international relations, and a good knowledge in cooperation in nuclear field. Seven (7) and five (5) years out of the fourteen years of relevant work experience should be at managerial level and involve supervisory functions respectively.
Experience in administration and management, in coordination, and in monitoring and reporting of compliance with multilateral non-proliferation agreements and Treaties;
Experience working with African States on matters related to the Treaty of Pelindaba, and cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy;
Experience in strategic planning related to nuclear energy, nuclear energy advocacy, nuclear diplomacy as well as experience in resource mobilization for nuclear related activities.

Required Skills

Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (English, French, Arabic, Kiswahili, Spanish and Portuguese) is a must. Excellent oral and written command of English is highly desirable. Fluency in one or all other AU working languages would be an added advantage.
Good communication and negotiation skills,
Excellent interpersonal skills;
Management experience, good planning and organizational skills;
Proven ability to work harmoniously in a multicultural environment;
Proven ability to work under pressure and to act with discretion in a politically sensitive environment and to establish good working relationship with government authorities;
Computer literacy.

Leadership Competencies

Strategic Perspective

Developing Others

Change Management

Managing Risk

Core Competencies

Building Relationship

Foster Accountability Culture

Learning Orientation

Communicating with impact

Functional Competencies

Conceptual Thinking

Job Knowledge and information sharing

Drive for Results

Foster Innovation

Tenure Of Appointment:

The appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of four (4) years, renewable, of which the first twelve months will be considered as a probationary period.

Gender Mainstreaming:

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

Age Requirement:

The candidates must be between eighteen (18) and fifty-five (55) years old.

Renumeration:

The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 154,098.21 (P6 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 135,267.50 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Eligibility:

Only nationals of States Parties to the Treaty of Pelindaba are eligible to apply for this vacancy. These are: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Congo, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Kenya, Libya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sahrawi Republic, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Application:

To apply, please submit the following:

A letter stating reasons for seeking employment with the African Commission on Nuclear Energy,
A detailed and updated CV, indicating your nationality, age and gender
Names and contact details (including E-mail address) of three references
Certified copies of degrees and diplomas.
A copy of relevant work certificates

Applications must be submitted no later than May 12, 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.
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Information at a Glance

Req Id: 2968

Job Title: Executive Secretary (AFCONE)

Job Title: Executive Secretary (AFCONE)

Job Grade: P06

Employee Class:

Number of Openings: 1

Posting Date: May 5, 2026

End Date: May 12, 2026

AU Organ: The African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE)

Jobs

Executive Secretary (AFCONE)