Application Guide

How to Apply for Head of Division Strategic Planning, Resource Mobilization & Partnerships (AfCFTA)

at African Union

🏢 About African Union

The African Union is a continental body of 55 member states dedicated to promoting unity, solidarity, and development across Africa. Working at the AU offers a unique opportunity to shape pan-African policy and drive continental integration through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create the world's largest free trade area by connecting 1.3 billion people across 55 countries.

About This Role

This P5-level leadership role directs the Division of Strategic Planning, Resource Mobilization & Partnerships for the AfCFTA Secretariat, requiring strategic vision to secure funding and build partnerships that advance continental trade integration. The position is critical for mobilizing resources and forging alliances to operationalize the AfCFTA agreement, making it one of the most impactful economic development roles in Africa today.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves reviewing division reports on partnership opportunities, leading strategy sessions with your team of 4, preparing briefing documents for the Director on resource mobilization pipelines, and engaging with potential donors or partners via virtual meetings across multiple time zones. You might spend the afternoon analyzing AfCFTA implementation data to identify funding gaps and drafting proposals for AU member state consideration.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who African Union Is Looking For

  • 15+ years of progressive experience in strategic planning, resource mobilization, and partnership building within international organizations, preferably with African regional bodies or UN agencies
  • Proven track record of securing multi-million dollar funding from diverse sources (governments, multilateral banks, private sector) for large-scale development programs
  • Deep understanding of African trade policies, AfCFTA protocols, and continental economic integration challenges
  • Fluency in English or French with working knowledge of the other language, plus exceptional diplomatic skills for engaging with AU member states and international partners

📝 Tips for Applying to African Union

1

DOWNLOAD AND USE THE OFFICIAL AU CV TEMPLATE - applications without this specific format are automatically rejected

2

Explicitly quantify your resource mobilization achievements (e.g., 'secured $50M from EU for trade capacity building') in your AU-formatted CV

3

Highlight any previous work with AU institutions, RECs (Regional Economic Communities), or AfCFTA-related initiatives

4

Apply through both the AU portal AND LinkedIn as indicated in the posting to ensure visibility

5

Note the location discrepancy - the posting says both 'Remote' and 'Accra, Ghana' - be prepared for either scenario

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Demonstrate specific knowledge of AfCFTA's current implementation challenges and how your experience addresses them", "Provide concrete examples of successful resource mobilization strategies you've developed for similar continental initiatives", "Explain how you would leverage AU's 'Think Africa Above All' value to build partnerships that prioritize African interests", "Show understanding of working within AU's multi-stakeholder environment with member states, RECs, and international partners"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → AfCFTA's Phase II and III implementation protocols and current ratification status by member states
  • → AU's current resource mobilization framework and major donors to AfCFTA Secretariat
  • → Recent AU Commission reports on AfCFTA implementation challenges and opportunities
  • → Key partnerships already established by AfCFTA Secretariat (with WTO, UNECA, Afreximbank, etc.)

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a resource mobilization strategy for AfCFTA's implementation phase given current global funding constraints?
2 Describe your approach to building partnerships between African private sector and international investors for AfCFTA projects
3 How would you align division activities with AU Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA implementation roadmap?
4 What metrics would you establish to measure the division's impact on AfCFTA operationalization?
5 How would you manage the reporting relationship to the Director while leading a division with 3 direct and 1 indirect reports?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a standard CV instead of the mandatory AU template - this is an immediate disqualifier
  • Generic statements about 'passion for Africa' without specific knowledge of AfCFTA mechanics and challenges
  • Focusing only on international experience without demonstrating understanding of AU's unique governance structure and decision-making processes

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to African Union!

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