Principal Civil Affairs Officer (AUSSOM)

African Union, based in Mogadishu, is looking for an experienced Principal Civil Affairs Officer (AUSSOM) to fill an open position. With 10+ years of experience required, this position is suited for mid-to-senior level professionals in Community/protection. Qualified candidates are urged to apply before the Jun, 12 deadline.

Job Title:

Principal Civil Affairs Officer (AUSSOM)

Posting

Start Date:

5/12/26

Job Description

AU Values

Respect for Diversity and TeamWork • 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: 4

Number of Indirect Reports: 1

Job Grade: P4

Number of Positions: 1

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Location: Mogadishu, Somalia

Purpose of Job

The Principal Civil Affairs Officer reports to the DSRCC and is responsible for providing authoritative analysis on human rights, protection, child rights and gender issues within the mission area and makes high-quality recommendations about the approaches/interventions needed in the area by the Mission as a whole. Where possible and necessary the Principal Civil Affairs Officer is responsible for the mobilization and coordination of relevant actors to assist in addressing problems.

Main Functions

• Develops a strategy for regional or local level conflict management work in line with the wider strategy, including mechanisms for information-sharing, crisis response and protection of civilians as needed ;
• Provides a strategy for effective cooperation between Civil Affairs and state institutions at the regional or local level, in line with the wider strategy and in coordination with other actors ;
• Designs and oversees implementation of the Civil Affairs workplan, as well as the work of other components as relevant, ensuring consistency of approach and efficiency of output.

Specific Responsibilities

• Leads the Civil Affairs function in the field by providing policy guidance, strategic direction, and operational oversight aligned with the Mission mandate and Somalia’s evolving political and security context.
• Oversees and coordinates the work of Civil Affairs teams across assigned areas of responsibility, ensuring consistent implementation of workplans, quality control of field activities, and effective supervision of staff operating in remote and high risk environments.
• Develops, coordinates, and monitors programmatic funding initiatives that support stabilization, reconciliation, community engagement, and local governance, including joint programmes with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Federal Member States, and other partners. Ensures inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups.
• Manages planning, prioritization, and budgeting processes for the Field Office, anticipating changes in the operational environment and adjusting strategies and resource allocations accordingly.
• Ensures systematic collection, consolidation, and analysis of field level information from Civil Affairs Officers. Produces integrated assessments of local dynamics, conflict drivers, community tensions, and stabilization trends for mission wide planning and decision making.
• Leads coordination across thematic areas such as civil society engagement, social cohesion, confidence building, reconciliation, conflict prevention, and local peace initiatives, ensuring alignment with mission priorities.
• Ensures effective collaboration and information exchange between Civil Affairs, other mission components, Somali authorities, civil society, community leaders, and international partners. Promotes understanding of Civil Affairs’ role within the broader mission effort.
• Leads and supervises field based Civil Affairs teams, ensuring effective implementation of workplans, adherence to mission standards, and strong coordination with military, police, and civilian actors. Provides mentoring, performance management, and operational guidance.
• Ensures that all mission actors operating in the area share a common understanding of the mandate and work cohesively. Coordinates with AUSSOM partners to ensure a unified AU presence and approach.
• Carries out any other responsibilities consistent with the AU Policy Directive on Civil Affairs and as assigned by Mission Leadership.

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): Ilaalinta • Shaqo Cusub • Shaqo Muqdisho • Shaqo Buuxda

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s degree in social sciences, Political science, international relations, public administration, anthropology, law, economics or related field with a minimum requirement of ten (10) years relevant work experience out of which six (6) years should be at managerial level and three (3) years should be at supervisory level.

Or

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Political science, international relations, public administration, anthropology, law, economics or related field with a minimum requirement of twelve (12) years relevant work experience out of which six (6) years should be at managerial level and three (3) years should be at supervisory level.
• Experience in Civil Affairs-related work with Peace Support Operations, AU funding Mechanism/s or Programmes, National or International NGOs, or community-based organizations, research institutions, etc. including experience in the following specialized areas:

o Conflict Management and Reconciliation: Experience in a position requiring conflict management, facilitation, mediation or negotiation skills; experience in facilitating structured dialogue events between different parties, and reconciliation activities and processes.

o Support to State Institutions: Experience working in public administration or related areas. Experience in liaising with institutions on sensitive issues, such as excluded and threatened groups. Experience in institution-building in post-conflict transition countries is an asset.

o Programme Management: Experience in programme/project management working with international governmental or non-governmental organizations, including relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation of projects. Experience in budgeting and financial reporting.

Required Skills

• Ability to manage the requisite Civil Affairs support to national and local actors, including designing strategies and processes for conflict management and resolution;
• Ability to convene and/or oversee the provision of support to dialogue and negotiation between groups in conflict, including facilitating mediation and dialogue where appropriate;
• Ability to manage partnerships with relevant actors to advocate the protection and empowerment of excluded and/or threatened groups in full respect of humanitarian and international law, including establishing mechanisms for information-sharing, crisis response and protection of civilians as needed;
• Ability to identify and coordinate responses to specific conflict drivers at the social level, including by mobilizing requisite responses from other actors where appropriate;
• Ability to identify and design practical Civil Affairs support activities for constructive civil society actors;
• Ability to implement projects from Programmatic Funding budget with Mission priorities, including, inter alia: ensuring the effective and timely running of the project design, approval and implementation process, keeping of accurate records, assistance with determining mission specific priorities, assessment of impact of the overall programme, and drafting of programmatic proposals and submission for the Mission budget.

Leadership Competencies

Strategic InsightDeveloping others...Change ManagementManaging Risk

Core Competencies

Building RelationshipsFoster Accountability Culture..Learning OrientationCommunicating with Influence

Functional Competencies

Conceptual ThinkingJob Knowledge and Information SharingDrive for ResultsContinuous Improvement Orientation

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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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