Director, International & Public Affairs, African Union, Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Job Description The Director, African Union Office, serves as the Church's senior representative to the African Union and leads the Church's diplomatic and public affairs presence in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The director develops enduring relationships with African Union institutions, member-state missions, diplomatic representatives, nongovernmental organizations, faith-based organizations, and trusted partners. The role ensures accurate representation of Church positions, coordinates appropriate engagement by Church leaders and affiliated humanitarian entities, and provides on-the-ground leadership, continuity, institutional memory, and operational oversight for the office. Responsibilities Develop and execute an approved engagement plan for the African Union, diplomatic missions, relevant multilateral bodies, nongovernmental organizations, and faith-based partners. Represent the Church professionally in authorized diplomatic, public affairs, interfaith, humanitarian, and civil-society settings. Build sustained, trust-based relationships and maintain accurate stakeholder maps, engagement histories, priorities, and follow-up records. Coordinate with Church headquarters with providing timely political, social, humanitarian, religious-freedom, and reputational context relevant to African Union engagement to Africa Area leadership. Prepare briefing materials, official correspondence, meeting strategies, visit programs, reports, and recommendations for Church leaders and headquarters teams. Coordinate with Area leadership of all Africa-based Area presidencies, headquarters departments, diplomatic offices, and affiliated humanitarian entities to ensure unity, clarity, and appropriate approvals. Lead office operations, personnel, budgets, security, protocols, records, facilities, vendors, and compliance with applicable Church policies and local requirements. Plan and support visits, consultations, events, and delegations involving senior Church leaders and external dignitaries. Monitor commitments, emerging issues, and partnership opportunities; elevate risks and sensitive matters promptly through established channels. Manage employees and mixed-workforce resources and, in partnership with Human Resources, make recommendations regarding hiring, performance, advancement, and changes in status. Required QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree in international relations, diplomacy, public policy, law, political science, public affairs, African studies, development, or a related field, or equivalent education and experience. Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in diplomacy, multilateral affairs, government relations, international public affairs, humanitarian engagement, or a related field. Demonstrated experience working with senior government, diplomatic, multilateral, faith, or civil-society leaders in Africa. Strong understanding of African Union institutions, diplomatic protocol, regional dynamics, stakeholder engagement, and international development or humanitarian issues. Exceptional judgment, discretion, cultural intelligence, relationship management, writing, briefing, negotiation, and public representation skills. Proven ability to operate independently in a complex international environment while remaining closely aligned with authorized direction. Experience managing an office, staff, budgets, security considerations, visits, events, and sensitive records. Fluency in English and ability to work effectively across linguistic and cultural settings. Sound knowledge of Church doctrine, organization, policy, and humanitarian and public affairs objectives. Ability and legal eligibility to reside and work in Addis Ababa and to travel regularly throughout Africa and internationally. Preferred Master's degree in international relations, public policy, law, business, or a related field. Professional proficiency in French or another African Union working language. Prior experience with the African Union, a diplomatic mission, an international organization, or a major nongovernmental organization. Work Environment And Physical Requirements Professional office environment with regular use of computer monitors and standard office equipment. Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and travel or work outside standard hours when assignments require.