Head of Mission Support (AUSSOM)

The position of Head of Mission Support (AUSSOM) at African Union in Mogadishu is now open for applications. Professionals with a background in Management/leadership and at least 10+ years of experience are encouraged to apply. The closing date for this vacancy is Jun, 12.

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Job Title:

Head of Mission Support (AUSSOM)

Posting

Start Date:

5/12/26

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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Organization Information

Reports to: Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission (DSRCC)

Directorate/Department/Organ: Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security

Division: AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia

Number of Direct Reports: 3

Number of Indirect Reports: 0

Job Grade: P5

Number of Positions: 1

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Location: Mogadishu, Somalia

Purpose of Job

The Head Mission Support reports to the DSRCC and is responsible for planning and implementing all mission support/administrative sections of the mission. The Head of Mission Support ensures the provision and efficient use of all mission material requirements and provides logistical and administrative support required to all mission components. Within delegated authority, the Head of Mission Support shall be responsible for the following functions.

Main Functions

• Effectively leads, coordinates and manages mission administration.
• Delivers services that meet the established objectives and goals and contributes to the implementation of the mission’s mandate.
• Responsible for the management of the mission support operations.
• Supports the SRCC in delegated administrative tasks, ensuring a smooth relation with local and national authorities;

Specific Responsibilities

• Provides direct leadership and hands on oversight of all mission support functions in a high risk, field based environment, ensuring uninterrupted operational capability across logistics, supply chain, transport, aviation support, engineering, ICT, and administrative services.
• Manages day to day mission support activities in remote and austere locations, ensuring that essential services (fuel, rations, water, accommodation, medical evacuation readiness, communications, and mobility) remain fully functional.
• Serves as the principal adviser to the SRCC on all mission support, logistics, administrative, and operational sustainment matters, providing real time assessments and actionable recommendations.
• Plans and executes complex logistical operations, including convoy movements, air tasking requests, supply distribution, and emergency resupply in insecure areas.
• Ensures effective and accountable management of human, financial, and material resources, including asset control, inventory management, and compliance with AU rules and procedures.
• Ensures integrated support to military, police, and civilian components, enabling coordinated operations and joint planning in the field.
• Identifies and implements mission wide support strategies, contingency plans, and operational frameworks tailored to Somalia’s security and logistical realities.
• Provides leadership, mentoring, and performance management for mission support personnel deployed across sectors and remote team sites.
• Liaises and negotiates with Somali authorities, security actors, and local service providers on logistics, movement, customs clearance, infrastructure access, and administrative matters.
• Establishes and enforces mission support policies, SOPs, and accountability mechanisms to ensure proper financial, HR, and asset management in line with AU standards.
• Coordinates mission support during emergencies, including relocations, medical evacuations, supply disruptions, and security related contingencies.
• Represents the Mission Support Component in senior leadership forums, budget discussions, coordination platforms, and official engagements.
• Serves as a member of the Mission Senior Leadership Team and Mission Management Team, contributing to strategic planning and decision making.
• Performs any other tasks assigned by the SRCC/DSRCC in support of mission objectives

About Mogadishu

Mogadishu, known locally as Muqdisho, is the capital of Somalia and the country's largest city. It serves as the political, economic, and cultural heart of the nation. The city hosts the headquarters of numerous UN agencies, international NGOs, and government institutions, offering diverse career opportunities for development and humanitarian professionals.

Ereyada Soomaaliga (Somali Keywords): Shaqo Cusub • Shaqo Muqdisho • Shaqo Buuxda

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, Law, Human Resources Management, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Communications, Social Sciences, or a related field, with twelve (12) years of relevant professional experience, including seven (7) years at managerial level and five (5) years at supervisory level in complex operational environments.
• Field Mission Support Experience — Demonstrated experience working in field missions or stabilization operations, preferably in high risk, high pressure environments such as the Horn of Africa. Experience should include hands on leadership of mission support functions (HR, logistics, supply chain, administration, finance, engineering support, or operational sustainment) in remote or austere settings.
• Data & Analytics Qualifications — Additional qualifications in data analytics, business analytics, or data science are desirable, particularly for missions transitioning toward digital systems and evidence based planning.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership — Proven ability to operate effectively in complex, multi stakeholder environments, with a strong track record of building and maintaining relationships with host governments, military and police components, AU/UN partners, and local communities.
• Multi Disciplinary Management Experience — Progressive experience overseeing Human Resources, Administration, Logistics, Financial Management, Budgeting, and Operational Support, ideally within a field mission or similarly demanding operational context.
• Logistics Expertise — Experience across a broad range of logistics areas—including supply chain operations, transport, engineering support, asset management, and field operations—is highly desirable, especially in missions requiring rapid deployment and sustained support in challenging environments.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated outstanding verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to build productive teams and motivate individuals at all levels of an organization in the pursuit of common objectives.
• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
• Ability to provide seasoned effective specialized advice in a broad range of human resources, financial, logistical, and administrative areas to senior management team and other senior mission personnel;
• Strong negotiation and conflict-resolution skills;
• Prepared to work in a highly pressurized and hazardous/hostile environment.

Leadership Competencies

Strategic PerspectiveDeveloping OthersChange ManagementManaging Risks

Core Competencies

Building RelationshipsFoster Accountability Culture..Learning OrientationCommunicating with impact

Functional Competencies

Conceptual ThinkingJob Knowledge and Information SharingDrive for ResultsFoster Innovation

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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

Applications must be submitted no later than June 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.

-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.

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