Country Representative (AfCDC) at African Union – Full Job Details, Requirements, and Application Guide
The African Union (AU), through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), is currently recruiting for the position of Country Representative (AfCDC). This is a senior-level leadership role designed for experienced professionals in public health, international development, and program coordination.
The Country Representative serves as the highest Africa CDC official at the national level, acting as a strategic bridge between the African Union, national governments, and development partners.
This role is highly influential and plays a critical part in shaping Africa’s public health systems, disease response capacity, and health security agenda.
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“Affordable and trending — tap the image to view this deal on Temu
About the African Union and Africa CDC
The African Union is a continental organization made up of 55 member states, working to promote unity, peace, and development across Africa.
The Africa CDC is a specialized technical institution of the AU responsible for:
- Disease prevention and control
- Emergency health response
- Strengthening national health systems
- Public health surveillance
- Vaccine distribution and preparedness
- Health security coordination across Africa
The Africa CDC is central to Africa’s long-term health transformation agenda and works closely with governments and international partners to strengthen health systems.
About the Country Representative Role
The Country Representative (AfCDC) is a senior leadership position responsible for representing Africa CDC at the national level in AU member states.
The role involves strategic coordination, policy engagement, partnership building, and program implementation support.
The Country Representative ensures that Africa CDC’s continental health priorities are effectively implemented within countries.
This includes aligning national health strategies with Africa CDC’s long-term vision, especially under the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) Agenda and Agenda 2063.
According to Africa CDC job framework, the role focuses on strengthening national health systems and improving emergency preparedness and response capacities.
Job Purpose
The primary purpose of the Country Representative role is to:
- Represent Africa CDC at country level
- Coordinate public health programs with governments
- Strengthen national health systems
- Support disease prevention and outbreak response
- Build partnerships with donors and stakeholders
- Align national policies with continental health strategies
This role ensures that Africa CDC’s vision is effectively implemented at the national level.
Key Responsibilities
The Country Representative will perform a wide range of strategic and operational duties:
1. Strategic Leadership and Representation
- Serve as the official Africa CDC representative in the country
- Engage with ministries of health, government agencies, and donors
- Represent Africa CDC in national and international meetings
- Advocate for Africa CDC health priorities
The role involves high-level diplomatic and policy engagement.
2. Policy Alignment and Coordination
- Align national health policies with Africa CDC frameworks
- Support implementation of Africa Health Security Agenda
- Ensure consistency between national and continental strategies
- Provide policy advisory support to governments
3. Health Systems Strengthening
- Support development of resilient health systems
- Strengthen national public health institutes
- Improve disease surveillance systems
- Enhance laboratory and diagnostic capacity
This ensures long-term health system sustainability.
4. Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Coordinate outbreak response activities
- Support emergency preparedness planning
- Provide technical guidance during health emergencies
- Ensure rapid response coordination with Africa CDC HQ
Africa CDC emphasizes preparedness and resilience in public health systems.
5. Partnership and Resource Mobilization
- Build partnerships with donors and development agencies
- Strengthen collaboration with UN agencies and NGOs
- Mobilize funding for health programs
- Coordinate multi-sectoral partnerships
6. Program Implementation Oversight
- Monitor Africa CDC programs at country level
- Ensure proper execution of health interventions
- Track performance indicators and outcomes
- Provide technical oversight to project teams
7. Stakeholder Engagement
- Work with ministries, NGOs, and private sector partners
- Engage civil society organizations
- Facilitate coordination between health actors
- Strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration
8. Reporting and Communication
- Provide regular reports to Africa CDC headquarters
- Document program performance and impact
- Communicate country-level health updates
- Ensure transparency and accountability
Required Qualifications
To qualify for this role, candidates must have:
- Master’s or PhD in:
- Public Health
- Medicine
- Epidemiology
- International Development
- Health Systems Management
- Or related field
Advanced academic qualifications are strongly preferred due to the senior nature of the role.
Required Experience
Applicants are expected to have:
- 10+ years of relevant professional experience
- Experience in public health leadership or international development
- Experience working with governments or AU/UN systems
- Experience in health systems strengthening
- Experience in emergency response or outbreak management
- Proven leadership in multi-stakeholder environments
Required Skills and Competencies
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
- Strong leadership and strategic thinking
- Excellent communication and diplomacy skills
- Experience in policy development
- Strong stakeholder management abilities
- Knowledge of public health systems
- Ability to work in high-pressure environments
- Strong analytical and reporting skills
- Cross-cultural competency
Work Environment
This is a high-level international position, typically based in an AU member state.
The role involves:
- Working with government ministries
- Coordinating international development partners
- Frequent high-level meetings and travel
- Managing complex public health programs
- Operating in politically and technically sensitive environments
Candidates must be highly professional, adaptable, and strategic thinkers.
Why This Job Matters
The Country Representative role is critical to Africa’s health transformation agenda.
By working in this position, you will:
- Shape national and continental health policies
- Strengthen Africa’s disease response systems
- Improve public health infrastructure
- Support outbreak prevention and control
- Contribute to Africa’s long-term health security
This is a high-impact leadership role influencing public health across Africa.
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“Affordable and trending — tap the image to view this deal on Temu
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is ideal for:
- Senior public health professionals
- International development experts
- Epidemiologists
- Health system leaders
- Government advisors
- NGO country directors
If you have strong leadership experience in health or development, this role is suitable.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply through the official African Union careers portal:
Applicants should:
- Submit an updated CV
- Include academic and professional certificates
- Highlight leadership experience
- Demonstrate public health expertise
- Follow AU application guidelines carefully
Application Tips
To improve your chances:
- Highlight leadership in public health programs
- Show experience with donor-funded projects
- Demonstrate government-level engagement
- Include measurable achievements
- Apply early due to high competition
Final Thoughts
The Country Representative (AfCDC) role at the African Union is one of the most prestigious public health leadership positions in Africa.
It offers the opportunity to work at the highest level of continental health systems, influencing policies and strengthening disease response capabilities across member states.
If you are an experienced public health leader or development expert, this is a rare opportunity to contribute to Africa’s health transformation agenda.
Apply today and be part of shaping the future of Africa’s health security.
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