What Are The AU Commission Chairperson Qualifications?

• Kenya's former prime minister Raila Odinga, is among the frontrunners for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson's seat
• Elections for the AUC chairperson's position will be held in February 2025 after the end of Moussa Faki's term
• The position, whose holder serves as the Chief Executive Officer, Legal Representative, and Accounting Officer of the Union, needs one to have specific qualifications

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) is the Chief Executive Officer, Legal Representative, and Accounting Officer of the Union. The officer holder serves for four years, renewable once.

Kenya’s former prime minister, Raila Odinga, is among four candidates who have declared interest in the position of AUC chairperson currently held by Moussa Faki of Chad.

Others are Djibouti's Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Mahitsison Randriamandrato, and Anil Gayan of Mauritius, also a former Foreign Affairs Minister.

Naturally, this transformative leadership role drives the union's performance in delivering the continental vision of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa.

Consequently, candidates seeking to ascend to this position must be of high moral character and reputation, with an impeccable track record in transformative leadership.

How can one become AUC chairperson?

The AUC position is held by individuals with extensive experience in governance, diplomacy, and international relations. The role involves overseeing the commission's day-to-day functions and championing African unity, development, and integration.

A candidate must meet the necessary academic qualifications and professional experience to be considered for the AUC. The candidate must also be approved and endorsed by his or her country of origin.

What Are the Qualifications for the AU Commissioner?

A person seeking to be AUC chairperson must meet the following relevant qualifications:

Academic qualifications

• Master’s degree in Law, International Relations, Economics, Diplomacy, Management, Business Administration,
• Political Science, Social Sciences or closely related fields from a recognized institution.
• A PhD in Law, International Relations, Diplomacy, Management, Business Administration, Political Science, Social
• Sciences or closely related fields from a recognised institution are an added advantage.

Relevant experience

• Have at least twenty (20) years of relevant professional and international experience with at least ten (10) years served in a progressively senior leadership role(s) preferably in an intergovernmental organisation or national government/public service, international or regional institution.

Languages

• The candidate must be proficient in one of the AU working languages, and fluency in another AU working language is highly desirable.
• The main AU working languages are Arabic, Spanish, French, English and Swahili.

Required skills

• Demonstrated transformational leadership experience with strategic vision and proven skills in managing complex organisations at the national, regional or international level;
• Demonstrated record of setting clear standards for accountability, probity, value for money and risk management and zero tolerance to fraud and corruption; for ensuring sound and transparent financial management; and delivering continuous improvement, impact, efficiency and effectiveness;
• Demonstrated intellectual leadership, creativity and proven ability to propose new ideas and lead on new ways of working across silos in a complementary and synergistic way for a prosperous and peaceful Africa;
• Proven track record of change management and accomplishments at the regional, national or international level with strong resource mobilization, political and diplomatic skills;
• Demonstrated ability to lead a multi-cultural team and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization;
• Proven ability to inspire, encourage, build trust and confidence and consensus, stimulate effective campaigns and drive collective action among a broad spectrum of people and organisations.

Leadership competencies

• Ability to drive strategic vision and purpose by anticipating future trends and artfully crafting a transformational and impactful vision that inspires action and drives a collective sense of purpose.
• Must possess the necessary skills to develop organisational capability by championing organisational learning and development to ensure the commission is well-positioned to meet future leadership needs.
• Must be able to Influence others to translate vision into action, identify change opportunities, and champion organisational change initiatives.
• The capacity to lead through strategic risk management to protect the commission’s image and reputation by making risk-intelligent decisions and using sound judgment in highly complex situations based on an assessment of the risks, benefits, and impacts.

Core competencies

• Building Partnerships: The candidate must have the capacity to Identify and develop sustainable networks and alliances, collaborate across boundaries to build strategic relationships, and achieve common goals.
• Drives Accountability Culture: The candidate must have the wherewithal to champion accountability and demonstrate uncompromising commitment to ethical and moral principles necessary to reach the highest performance standard and achieve results.
• Learning Agility and Resilience: The candidate must demonstrate the ability to create and enable a learning organisation that promotes and develops personal and professional goals and makes insightful career planning decisions to achieve (or alter) these goals.
• Communicating with impact: The candidate must project authority and credibility and be able to influence external executive decision-makers to achieve substantive goals. He or she should negotiate to find mutually acceptable solutions to the continent's challenges. The candidate must also be able to communicate authentically to maintain trust and buy-in when responding to competing demands and volatility.

Functional competencies

• Conceptual Thinking: The candidate should be able to create new concepts that are not obvious to others to think through issues and/or resolve problems.
• Job Knowledge Sharing: The candidate must demonstrate an ability to foster a knowledge—and information-rich culture by engaging with leaders within and outside the Commission.
• Drive for Results and Impact: The candidate should have the capacity to drive high-performance standards from goal creation to continuous improvement.
• Fosters Innovation: The candidate should be able to develop new insights into situations, question conventional approaches, and encourage new ideas and innovations. He or she should also be at the forefront of designing and implementing new or cutting-edge programs/processes that improve the overall performance of the organization and the portfolio.

How Much Does an AU Chairman Earn?

The chairperson of the AUC is entitled to a substantial monthly salary and allowances.

According to available records, the holder of this office is entitled to a basic monthly salary of $15,576.75. Approximately KSh 2.4 million.

Other benefits include $250 monthly allowance per eligible child, 100% school fee payment for every eligible child of the official in Africa or up to $15,000 per year if the station is in Europe or North America and $6,000 in rental budget.

Wrapping up

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) is the Chief Executive Officer and Legal Representative of the Union, responsible for overseeing the Union's operations and ensuring it meets its vision of a united, prosperous, and peaceful Africa. This role involves transformative leadership, accountability to the Executive Council, and Pan-African values and principles.

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in International Relations, Economics, Diplomacy, or Political Science from a recognised institution. A PhD in these areas is an added advantage, further enhancing a candidate's qualifications.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke