Closing Date: 16 February 2026
African Union is recruiting for Legal Officer (ACSRT) Position: Apply Now
Purpose of Job
The Legal Officer (ACSRT) contributes to the mandate of the ACSRT by providing legal expertise to strengthen and standardize legal norms, harmonize Member States’ counter-terrorism legislation, and ensure the effective implementation of African Union and international legal instruments relating to the prevention and combating of terrorism.
Main Functions
The Legal Officer (ACSRT) will:
- Provide legal support and advice to ACSRT units, Member States, and partners on counter-terrorism legal frameworks.
- Ensure compliance of ACSRT decisions and actions with AU and international legal instruments.
- Assist in the harmonization and standardization of legal norms, policies, and strategies among AU Member States in combating terrorism.
Specific Responsibilities
- Undertake studies and make recommendations on strengthening and standardization of legal norms and cooperation in matters of mutual legal assistance and extradition.
- Examine specific cases and prepare legal opinions on the application of AU and international instruments relating to the prevention and combating of terrorism.
- Analyse facts, issues and arguments raised by Member States regarding implementation of legal instruments.
- Provide legal advice and opinions on the establishment of the African Arrest Warrant.
- Suggest protection norms and preventive legal regulations.
- Advise on harmonization and coordination of legal strategies and policies of Member States within AU and UN frameworks.
- Provide technical assistance to enhance Member States’ full implementation of the OAU Convention and international conventions on terrorism.
- Provide legal advice to ACSRT Units and Focal Points to ensure legality and compliance with AU and international legal instruments.
- Produce and submit periodic reports on activities and missions.
- Follow-up at national, regional, and continental levels to harmonize treaties and protocols with AU and international instruments; address issues of non-compliance.
- Assess and audit Member States’ preventive and protection mechanisms to determine their implementation capacity.
- Draft guidance on benchmarks and best practices for implementation of legal instruments.
- Assist in preparation of training programs of a legal nature for the Focal Point Community.
- Develop cooperation and assistance programmes with institutions at national, regional, continental, and international levels in the area of legislation and legal procedures.
- Draft and assist in drafting treaties, protocols, cooperation agreements, and rules of procedure.
- Participate in legal meetings and represent ACSRT on legal matters.
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
- Master’s degree in Law or a related field with a minimum requirement of two (2) years relevant work experience
- Or
- Bachelors degree in Law or a related field with a minimum requirement of five (5) years relevant work experience
- Specialization in international, administrative, or security-related legal fields is highly desirable.
- Legal experience, preferably in public international law, administrative law, or counter-terrorism legal frameworks.
- Experience in government legal services, international organizations, or regional legal harmonization efforts is desirable.
- Prior experience advising on treaty implementation, legislative drafting, or legal technical assistance is an asset.
Required Skills
- Excellent knowledge of international organizations and proven negotiation and arbitration skills.
- Strong leadership and organizational abilities.
- Capacity to work under pressure in a multicultural environment.
- Computer literacy and analytical skills.
- Excellent drafting and reporting skills.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills.
- Good planning and organizational skills.
REMUNERATION:
Indicative basic salary of US$ 31,073.00 (P2 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (48% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 18,547.20 (per annum), and education allowance (100% of tuition and other education-related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10,000.00 per child per annum), for internationally recruited staff and a maximum of $3,300 per child per annum for locally recruited staff.
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