Application Guide

How to Apply for Head of Partnership & International Cooperation (AfCDC)

at African Union

🏢 About African Union

The African Union is the premier Pan-African organization driving continental integration and sustainable development, offering a unique opportunity to work on Africa-wide initiatives. Africa CDC is Africa's first continent-wide public health agency, providing a chance to build partnerships that directly strengthen Africa's health security and response capabilities during a critical time for global health.

About This Role

This role involves developing and implementing Africa CDC's partnership strategy to mobilize international cooperation for public health initiatives across 55 African countries. You'll be instrumental in building relationships that enhance Africa's capacity to detect and respond to disease outbreaks, making this position crucial for continental health security.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve virtual meetings with potential partners across different time zones, developing partnership proposals aligned with Africa CDC's strategic priorities, and coordinating with technical teams to ensure partnerships support specific public health programs. You'd regularly engage with AU member state representatives and international organizations to advance collaborative health initiatives.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who African Union Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years experience designing partnership strategies specifically for public health, development, or multilateral organizations in African contexts
  • Demonstrates proven success in establishing partnerships with African governments, WHO, Gavi, The Global Fund, and private health sector organizations
  • Possesses deep understanding of Africa's public health landscape and the political dynamics of AU member states
  • Has managed complex multi-stakeholder partnerships across different African regions with varying health system capacities

📝 Tips for Applying to African Union

1

Quantify your partnership achievements with metrics relevant to Africa CDC's mission (e.g., 'secured $X million in funding for health initiatives across X African countries')

2

Highlight specific experience working with African Union structures, member states, or regional economic communities in your resume

3

Demonstrate understanding of Africa CDC's New Public Health Order and how partnerships support its five pillars

4

Showcase experience navigating the complexities of working with both governmental and non-governmental partners in African contexts

5

Include examples of managing partnerships during health emergencies or outbreaks, which is central to Africa CDC's mandate

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience developing partnership strategies for public health organizations operating in Africa', "Concrete examples of successful partnerships you've established with African governments or regional bodies", "How your approach aligns with Africa CDC's mission of strengthening Africa's public health institutions", "Your understanding of the AU's Agenda 2063 and how health partnerships contribute to 'The Africa We Want'"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Africa CDC's current partnerships listed on their website and annual reports to understand existing relationships
  • → The AU's Agenda 2063 framework and how health fits into broader continental development goals
  • → Africa CDC's New Public Health Order and its five pillars to align partnership ideas with institutional priorities
  • → Recent Africa CDC initiatives like the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) or Africa Medical Supplies Platform

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a partnership strategy to support Africa CDC's goal of strengthening public health institutions across 55 diverse member states?
2 Describe your experience managing partnerships during a public health emergency in an African context
3 How would you approach building partnerships with private sector companies for Africa CDC's initiatives while maintaining public health priorities?
4 What strategies would you use to coordinate partnership efforts between Africa CDC headquarters and its five Regional Collaborating Centres?
5 How would you measure the success of international cooperation initiatives for a continental health agency like Africa CDC?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using generic partnership experience without Africa-specific examples or understanding of continental health challenges
  • Proposing partnership approaches that don't account for Africa CDC's mandate to strengthen African institutions rather than replace them
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of how to work within AU's multilateral decision-making processes and member state sensitivities

📅 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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