Programme Officer – Technical Assistance Team (Saving Lives and Livelihoods)
1 (One)
Senior Technical Officer for NCDs, Injuries and Mental Health
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Under the supervision of the Senior Technical Officer for NCDs, Injuries and Mental Health, the Programme Officer for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support will provide technical guidance to support conceptualization and implementation of the overall Africa CDC NCDs, Injuries and Mental Health Strategy with a focus on the integration of mental health and psychosocial support into emergency preparedness and response within AU Member States and holistic Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries.

The Programme Officer will be responsible for the following:
• Support the implementation of Africa CDC NCDs, Injuries and Mental Health strategy and existing programs and initiatives at Africa CDC aiming at promoting Mental health and psychosocial support on the continent.
• Support the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Africa CDC Mental health and psychosocial support projects and the integration of MHPSS into the African Volunteers Health Corps amongst other existing projects.
• Support the implementation of policies to strengthen existing and establishing Mental health prevention and control programs in Member States; including advancing multi sectoral action for mental health promotion.
• Support the implementation of inter-country collaboration on Mental Health surveillance monitoring and reporting, including data sharing and use and promote engagement of countries as per the Africa CDC continental guidance on strengthening surveillance systems for NCDs, Injuries and Mental health prevention and control.
• Regional and inter-regional prevention and control activities and programs; Support the processes of strengthening quality of data collection, management, analysis and reporting as per the Africa CDC continental guidance on strengthening surveillance systems for NCDs, Injuries and Mental health prevention and control.
• Work with Member States to support the process of improving Africa CDC access to mental health education, knowledge and human resource development and capacity building through coordination, collaboration and technical assistance.
• Support efforts to strengthen National Public Health Institute capacity for integrating Mental health into mainstream primary health care and Mental Health Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) into emergency response plans for Member States.
• Manage the daily activities within the Mental Health Unit and work closely with other units at the division of Disease Control and Prevention to identify and build cross-sectoral programming.
• Develop, review, and disseminate guidelines, standards of practice, protocols and other tools to improve quality delivery in Member States through the continental network of Mental health leads.
• Provide logistic and technical support for information sharing and training activities regional meetings, and other onsite trainings and workshops.
• Performs any other relevant functions as assigned by the Supervisor.

Master’s Degree in public health, epidemiology, medicine, health science, health services research or related field with at least two (2) years of professional experience.
OR
Bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, medicine, health science, health services research or related field with at least five (5) years of experience.

• Technical skills and experience in supporting public health programs with special emphasis on Mental health in Africa, epidemiology and surveillance, health information systems and related workforce capacity development.
• Resourceful and skilled at collecting, analyzing and using data to recommend, make and communicate decisions of a technical nature to both scientific and lay audiences.
• Strong technical and scientific writing skills, in addition to narrative and technical reporting skills.
• Knowledge of public health programs, health sciences research and health systems strengthening, and experience in supporting projects and programs under government ministries and external donors.
• Familiarity with administrative and management practice and processes typically employed by public health and other public sector programs, particularly in the context of emergency response.
• Demonstrable experience and in-depth knowledge of operations of the Africa CDC, Regional Collaborating Centers National Public Health Institutes.
• Knowledge of public health issues in Africa and previous experience working in Africa.
• Knowledge of oral communication techniques and skill in presentation delivery, program consultation and credible verbal response to inquiries.
• Skills in translating technical information into presentations, briefings and reports and funding proposals for both technical and lay audiences.
• Understanding of the African Union way of working and managing associated relationships with Member State entities and partners.

• Knowledge of public health principals and practice as they relate to the implementation of public health programs and service delivery.
• Diplomatic, representational, interpersonal and communication skills, including experience successfully interacting with stakeholders and decision-makers in technical and other professional settings.
• Collect, analyze, and use data to recommend, make and communicate decisions of a technical nature to both scientific and lay audiences.
• Technical and scientific writing skills, in addition to narrative and financial reporting skills.
• Translate technical information into presentations, briefings and report and funding proposals for both technical and lay audiences.
• Project planning and management skills for organizing, planning and executing public health projects from conception through implementation.
• Demonstrated ability with regard to computer skills, particularly with statistical and other analytic tools, e.g., R and State, and with office software applications such as MS Excel, Power Point and Word.

• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proven ability to use clear, concise language in correspondence as well as including content fitting for the purpose and audiences when preparing written briefs and reports.
• Ability to deliver under tight deadlines and works well under pressure.
• Able to operate in a multicultural environment.
• High level of autonomy at work, yet with profound team-spirit.
• Adaptive, patient, resourceful, resilient and flexible.
• Pro-active and solutions oriented.

Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Kiswahili and Portuguese) is required. Knowledge of one or several other working languages would be an added advantage.

The appointment will be made on a fixed term contract up to December 2025, of which the first three months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be renewed annually subject to satisfactory performance and fund availability.

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

Indicative basic salary of US$ 31,073 (P2 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (ranges from 42% – 57% of basic salary as per the Duty Station), Housing allowance ranges from US$ 16,819.80 – US$ 24,561.00 (per annum), education allowance (100% of tuition and other education related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10,000.00 per child per annum), etc. for internationally recruited staff.

Closing date: 20 June 2025

Apply here!