Application Guide

How to Apply for Vaccine Manufacturing Specialist (AfCDC)

at African Union

🏢 About African Union

The African Union (AU) is a continental body of 55 member states that promotes unity, cooperation, and development across Africa. Working for the AU offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to pan-African initiatives, particularly in public health through the Africa CDC, which aims to strengthen Africa's health security and self-reliance in vaccine manufacturing. This role allows you to be part of a historic effort to build local vaccine production capacity across the continent.

About This Role

As a Vaccine Manufacturing Specialist at the Africa CDC, you will support the Local Manufacturing Coordinator in developing and implementing strategies for vaccine and biologicals manufacturing across Africa. This role is critical for advancing Africa's health sovereignty by reducing dependency on external vaccine supplies and building sustainable local production capabilities. You'll work within the Vaccines and Biologicals Manufacturing Division to translate policy into actionable manufacturing initiatives.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing technical documents for vaccine manufacturing partnerships, coordinating with African manufacturers on capacity-building initiatives, and developing guidelines for local production standards. You'll likely participate in virtual meetings with stakeholders across multiple time zones, analyze manufacturing data from African facilities, and contribute to reports for the Local Manufacturing Coordinator on progress toward continental vaccine self-reliance goals.

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🎯 Who African Union Is Looking For

  • Has 7+ years of experience in vaccine manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, or biologics, with specific knowledge of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and quality assurance systems
  • Possesses strong project management skills with experience in African healthcare systems or working with multiple African countries
  • Demonstrates expertise in technical aspects of vaccine production (upstream/downstream processing, formulation, fill-finish) and regulatory pathways
  • Shows alignment with AU values like 'Think Africa Above All' and has experience working in multicultural, pan-African or international organizations

📝 Tips for Applying to African Union

1

Download and use the mandatory AU CV template exactly as specified—applications without this format will be rejected immediately

2

Highlight specific experience with vaccine manufacturing technologies (mRNA, viral vectors, inactivated vaccines) relevant to Africa's priority diseases

3

Demonstrate understanding of Africa CDC's initiatives like the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) in your application materials

4

If you have experience working in Ethiopia or with Ethiopian regulatory bodies, emphasize this given the role's location in Addis Ababa

5

Show how your experience aligns with AU values—specifically mention examples of 'Respect for Diversity and Teamwork' in multicultural settings

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your direct experience with vaccine manufacturing processes and quality systems', "How you've contributed to health security or local production initiatives in African contexts", 'Specific examples of working successfully in multicultural, pan-African environments', "Your understanding of Africa CDC's mission to strengthen continental health security through local manufacturing"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Africa CDC's Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) Framework and its 2040 goals
  • → AU's Agenda 2063, particularly the health and pharmaceutical manufacturing aspects
  • → Existing vaccine manufacturing initiatives in Africa (Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Biovac, etc.)
  • → Ethiopia's pharmaceutical regulatory environment and industrial policy (given the Addis Ababa location)

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Technical questions about vaccine manufacturing processes and scaling production in African contexts
2 How you would approach building local manufacturing capacity across multiple African countries with different regulatory frameworks
3 Your experience working with African regulatory agencies (like NAFDAC, SAHPRA, or Ethiopia's FMHACA)
4 Scenario-based questions about overcoming challenges in technology transfer to African manufacturers
5 How you embody AU values like 'Think Africa Above All' in your professional decisions
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a standard CV instead of the mandatory AU template—this will result in immediate rejection
  • Generic applications that don't specifically address vaccine manufacturing or African health contexts
  • Focusing only on technical expertise without demonstrating alignment with AU values and pan-African collaboration

📅 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!

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Good luck with your application to African Union!

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