Director General (AFSA)

About

The Director General provides strategic and executive leadership for the African Space Agency (AfSA), ensuring implementation of its mandate, strategies and programmes in line with AfSA Council decisions, African Union priorities and Africa’s space agenda. The role is based in Cairo and requires a relevant master’s degree and at least 15 years of progressively responsible experience, including managerial and supervisory experience. The appointment is a regular-term contract, with an initial three-year period and a 12-month probationary period. Job grade: D2 Number of posts: 1 Terms of service: Regular term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months shall be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of Salary: Indicative basic salary of US$ 100,017.00 (D2 Step 1) per annum plus other related entitlements. Duty station: Cairo, Egypt. Reference: 3134

How to apply

Apply online through the official African Union advert page. Complete the online application and upload the mandatory African Union CV template, a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and required academic qualifications and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and executive leadership for AfSA, ensuring the effective implementation of its mandate and alignment with AU priorities and Africa’s development objectives.
• Direct and oversee the overall management and institutional development of the Agency, ensuring effective governance, coordination, accountability and organizational performance.
• Serve as Secretary to the AfSA Council and ensure effective support to the Council in the discharge of its functions and implementation of its decisions and directives.
• Lead and advance Africa’s space agenda, promoting the development and use of space science, technology, applications and services in support of Africa’s development priorities.
• Ensure effective and prudent management of AfSA’s financial, human and institutional resources and promote a high-performing, diverse and accountable organizational culture.
• Provide strategic leadership for AfSA’s partnerships, international cooperation and resource mobilisation with AU Member States, RECs, space agencies, international organizations, development partners, industry and academia.
• Represent AfSA at continental and international levels and promote the Agency’s mandate, strategic priorities and interests.
• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of AfSA’s strategic plans, policies, annual work programmes, budgets and continental space programmes in line with the Agency’s mandate and AU priorities.
• Translate AfSA Council decisions and directives into institutional priorities and actions, ensure their effective implementation and follow-up, and provide the Council with strategic advice and timely reports on the Agency’s programmes, performance and partnerships.
• Lead and supervise AfSA’s senior management and ensure effective coordination across Directorates, Divisions and Units, including the achievement of agreed objectives and performance targets.
• Oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of space-related programmes, projects and initiatives, and promote the use of space technologies, applications, data and services to support Africa’s development.
• Oversee the management and allocation of AfSA’s financial, human and institutional resources, including budgeting, workforce planning, talent management, staff performance, internal controls and risk management, in compliance with AfSA’s Statute, AU rules and regulations and other applicable framewo
• Establish and strengthen cooperation with AU Member States, RECs, national and international space agencies, relevant AU institutions, international organizations, development partners, research institutions, industry and academia.
• Develop strategic partnerships and lead resource mobilisation efforts, including the negotiation and implementation of cooperation agreements, MoUs and joint initiatives, to support AfSA’s programmes and institutional development.
• Coordinate consultations and support the development of African common positions on space-related matters, while promoting regional and international cooperation, knowledge exchange and consensus-building.

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in a space-related scientific or technical field, such as Space Science, Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineering, Electrical, Electronic or Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Astronomy, Earth Observation, Remote Sensing or Geospatial Science; or in Space Polic
• A PhD in a relevant field will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible professional experience, including at least ten (10) years at managerial level and five (5) years at supervisory level.
• The candidate should have substantial experience in the space sector, including work with national or regional space agencies, international organisations, government institutions, research institutions, industry or other relevant space-sector organisations.
• Experience in African or other intergovernmental institutions and knowledge of Africa's space sector and development priorities are highly desirable.
• Knowledge of international space governance frameworks, relevant treaties and emerging space technologies would be an added advantage.
• Relevant professional certifications or additional qualifications will be an added advantage.
• Ability to use strong managerial delegation, political tact and supervisory skills to achieve documented objectives.
• Ability to work effectively with people from various backgrounds and create an environment where diversity is respected.
• Ability to work across countries and with various stakeholders (governments, research bodies, private sector).
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with top level stakeholders.
• Ability to identify key strategic opportunities and risks.
• Ability to actively seek, identify and apply appropriate technology to improve programme delivery.
• Ability to delegate appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority regarding performance management and professional development.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead multidisciplinary, multicultural teams across borders.