ATTENTION!!!

AU Values

• Respect for Diversity and Team Work            • Think Africa Above all                     

 • Transparency and Accountability                  • Integrity and Impartiality                       

 • Efficiency and Professionalism                     • Information and Knowledge Sharing

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Organization Information

Position: AVoHC Kofi Annan Scholars Program  - Accreditation and Standards Specialist
Reports to: N/A
Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC
Division: Health Workforce Division
Number of Direct Reports: N/A
Number of Indirect Reports: N/A
Job Grade: Fellowship
Number of Positions: 20
Contract Type: Volunteer
Location: N/A

Purpose of Job

The AU Heads of States and Government in Assembly Decision /AU/Dec.570 (XXV) of June 2015, requested the Commission in collaboration with Member States (MS) and Development Partners to establish an African Volunteer Health Corps (AVoHC) to be deployed during disease outbreaks and other health emergencies. A well-trained, multidisciplinary and stand-by response team should be available and able to respond in the shortest time possible. As of October 2021 (latest available figure), more than 230 AVoHC rapid responders have been deployed across 23 countries to support COVID-19 response activities and other disease outbreaks including Ebola Virus Disease, Cholera, Measles and Meningitis from the African Volunteer Health Corps Roster. Visionary and principled leadership is critical for Africa to implement a new public health order necessary to truly safeguard the African Continent from a myriad of threats to health and economic security. This leadership is even more essential considering the complex interplay of globalization, health security, trade protectionism, and health diplomacy, which overlay the burden of disease and the emergence of new health threats like COVID-19. Furthermore, this leadership is critical to the timely and sustainable achievement of Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In view of this urgent need for transformational public health leadership across the continent, the Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Program (KA-GHLP) was launched on 25 May 2020 by Africa CDC in conjunction with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Kofi Annan Foundation, as a flagship initiative of Africa CDC. The KA-GHLP has three key components: (1) A Fellowship in Public Health Leadership, (2) a Public Health Scholars Program, and (3) a Public Health Policy Forum.
The Kofi Annan Scholars Program (PHSP) aims to place experienced public health experts (from within Africa or the African Diaspora) in time-limited placements within relevant government ministries, National Public Health Institutes, and other significant national health institutions to provide targeted support. In addition, by attracting African diaspora professionals to participate in this program, it provides an opportunity to tap into additional skill sets while encouraging engagement from the diaspora, which has been officially recognized as the sixth region of the African Union since 2012.
The Africa CDC, therefore, seeks to recruit Financial Specialists from citizens of any Member State of the African Union or the African Diaspora to join the roster of the African Volunteers Health Corps as part of the Kofi Annan Scholars program. This is not recruitment for employment but volunteer services delivered within the Africa CDC/AU framework that recognizes and rewards the experts for their time and skills under the existing rules, regulations and enumeration guidelines. The overarching principle is to deliver high-quality specific deliverables and build 
capacity while giving back to Africa.

Main Functions

The Accreditation Specialist will provide technical expertise to support the development, implementation, and strengthening of accreditation systems for health workforce training programs and health institutions. The specialist will guide the harmonization of standards, institutional capacity-building, and regional alignment with international accreditation systems such as ISO.

Specific Responsibilities

• Lead assessments of existing accreditation systems and training standards for key health workforce cadres and institutions.
• Co-develop and validate minimum competency and training standards for targeted health professions.
• Design and implement accreditation frameworks that meet both national and international standards.
• Support institutional ISO certification and quality management processes where relevant.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement with Ministries of Health, regulatory bodies, academia, and accreditation agencies.
• Provide technical assistance to Member States seeking to accredit training programs and public healthinstitutions.
• Produce technical documentation, strategic plans, and policy briefs related to accreditation governance.
• Strengthen collaboration across regions to harmonize accreditation criteria and mutual recognition.
• Build capacity of national accreditation agencies through training, mentorship, and institutional strengthening.
• Advise on the development of sustainable accreditation governance mechanisms and resource strategies.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

Master’s or Doctoral degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Workforce Development, Health Systems Management, Quality Assurance, or a related field.
At least 7 years of experience in health workforce accreditation, ISO certification, quality management, or regulatory systems.
Demonstrated experience developing strategic guidance, policies, or implementation tools in accreditation or quality systems.

 Knowledge and experience

• In-depth understanding of accreditation and certification systems for health workforce training and public institutions.
• Experience engaging with national regulatory authorities, academic institutions, and quality assurance bodies.
• Familiarity with regional and international standards (e.g., WHO benchmarks, ISO).
• Track record of developing accreditation policies and implementing harmonization strategies across countries.
• Excellent writing and policy communication skills.

Required Skills

Functional Skills

• Proficiency in accreditation frameworks and institutional quality management systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including gap analysis and systems thinking.
• Capacity to draft technical guidelines, policy frameworks, and strategic roadmaps.
• Effective stakeholder coordination and facilitation experience.

Personal Abilities

• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence in dynamic settings.
• Capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in multicultural teams.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills
   

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TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:
The Kofi Annan Scholars - AVoHC Team Members will be deployed on an on-call basis, based on request from member states. The Africa CDC will determine the duration of deployment in consultation with member state authorities. 
GENDER MAINSTREAMING:
Africa CDC is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
REMUNERATION:
This is a call for AVoHC membership. Successful applicants are not entitled to any monetary incentives during membership.  However, during the assignment, deployed experts will have rights to the following:

• Economic class round-trip tickets and other travel related expenses
• Health insurance during the deployment period
• Stipend , communications, Incidentals and Risk allowance
• Accommodation allowance in case of deployment outside of the city of residence
• Certificate of recognition of your contribution at the end of deployment

Advantages of becoming an AVoHC member 

As an AVoHC member, you will learn about different cultures and languages, expand your networks and gain unmatched professional and life experiences. During your membership, you will have the following opportunities:

• Gain AVoHC membership professional development including trainings and mentorship
• Be deployed at the request of member states, to build the capacity of national institutions.

AVoHC members come from 55 countries, representing diverse cultures. They bring a wide variety of perspectives and approaches, which lend a dynamism to the volunteering assignment. Your membership and assignments will enable you to make a lasting impact. It can create a ripple effect that extends far beyond the immediate results of your efforts – both for the people you serve and yourself.

Applications must be made not later than July 10, 2025 11h59 p.m. EAT.

Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.
-Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas, Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.
-Africa CDC is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 
-Candidates from less represented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles. These countries include Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Sahrawi D.R., Sao Tome and Principe., Seychelles, Somalia and Tunisia.