The African Space Agency (AfSA) is recruiting for five regular positions at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. The roles cover the Agency’s top leadership, its corporate services directorate, legal affairs, finance and human resources. The Agency posted the vacancies on 27 October 2026 through the African Union careers portal.
All five positions are open to nationals of AU Member States. Applicants must submit a fully completed online application with a CV prepared in the mandatory AU CV template (downloadable from the AU careers portal), an African passport and their academic certificates; incomplete applications will not be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Each appointment is a three-year regular contract, renewable subject to performance, with a 12-month probation period. Proficiency in one AU working language (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese or Spanish) is required, and fluency in a second is an advantage. Women and candidates from least represented and underrepresented AU Member States are strongly encouraged to apply.
1. Director General (D2)
- Grade: D2
- Reports to: President of the AfSA Council
- Location: Cairo, Egypt
- Deadline: 10 December 2026, 11:59 p.m. EAT
The Director General will provide strategic and executive leadership for AfSA, implementing its mandate in line with AfSA Council decisions and AU priorities, and will serve as Secretary to the Council. The role oversees seven direct reports and 155 indirect reports. Responsibilities include leading AfSA’s strategic plans, budgets, and continental space programmes; supervising senior management; driving partnerships and resource mobilisation; coordinating African common positions on space matters; and representing the Agency at continental and international levels.
- Requirements: A Master’s degree in a space-related scientific or technical field (such as aerospace engineering, remote sensing, physics or earth observation) or in space policy, space law, public policy, economics, international relations or a related field; a PhD is an advantage. At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience, including 10 years at managerial level and five at supervisory level, with substantial experience in the space sector. Experience in intergovernmental institutions and knowledge of Africa’s space sector are highly desirable.
- Key skills: Leading multidisciplinary, multicultural teams across borders; engaging top-level stakeholders across governments, research bodies and industry; identifying strategic opportunities and risks.
- Remuneration: Indicative basic salary of USD 100,017 per year, plus a post adjustment, a housing allowance of USD 21,832.68 per year, and an education allowance.
2. Director, Corporate Services (D1)
- Grade: D1
- Reports to: Director General
- Location: Cairo, Egypt
- Deadline: 10 December 2026, 11:59 p.m. EAT
The Director of Corporate Services will lead AfSA’s human resources, finance, procurement, administration and IT functions, with three direct reports and 13 indirect reports. The role covers corporate policies and procedures, workforce planning and talent management, internal controls, risk management, and support for resource mobilisation and partner engagement.
- Requirements: A Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, finance, HR management, procurement, supply chain management, IT, law or a related field. At least 15 years of experience, including eight years at managerial level and five at supervisory level, with experience managing large organisations or corporate functions. Experience in the AU or a similar intergovernmental organisation is highly desirable.
- Key skills: Negotiation and high-level representation; navigating intergovernmental processes; strong leadership, planning and organisational abilities.
- Remuneration: Indicative basic salary of USD 78,138 per year, plus a post adjustment, a housing allowance of USD 21,832.68 per year, and an education allowance.
3. Head of Legal Affairs (P5)
- Grade: P5
- Reports to: Director General
- Location: Cairo, Egypt
- Deadline: 10 December 2026, 11:59 p.m. EAT
The Head of Legal Affairs will lead AfSA’s Legal Affairs Division and manage four direct reports. The role advises the Director General on institutional legal matters, including the AfSA Statute and the Headquarters Agreement with Egypt, as well as international space law, the UN space treaties, and the African Space Policy and Strategy. It also involves drafting cooperation, satellite, and data-sharing agreements; managing legal risk across AfSA’s programmes; and representing the Agency at conferences and treaty negotiations.
- Requirements: A Master’s degree in law, public international law, air and space law or a related field, with 12 years of legal experience, preferably in public international law or the institutional law of international organisations, including seven years at managerial level and five at supervisory level. Bar admission is an advantage.
- Key skills: Drafting and reviewing legal instruments; negotiation and facilitation; policy analysis. Working knowledge of Arabic is an asset given the Cairo duty station.
- Remuneration: Indicative basic salary of USD 50,746 per year, plus a post adjustment, a housing allowance of USD 21,832.68 per year, and an education allowance.
4. Senior Finance Officer (P3)
- Grade: P3
- Reports to: Head of the Finance Division
- Location: Cairo, Egypt
- Deadline: 25 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. EAT
The Senior Finance Officer will manage the effective and transparent implementation of AfSA funds under AU Financial Rules and Regulations. Responsibilities include verifying and certifying expenditure, monitoring the financial aspects of procurement contracts, executing budgets and reporting variances, performing reconciliations, preparing IPSAS-compliant financial statements, managing financial risk, and supporting audits.
- Requirements: A Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, economics or a related field with seven years of finance or accounting experience (three at expert level), or a Bachelor’s degree with 10 years of experience (three at expert level). An ACCA, CPA, CA or CIMA certification is an advantage.
- Key skills: IPSAS and ERP-based financial systems such as SAP; research and analytical skills; report writing and presentation.
- Remuneration: Indicative basic salary of USD 37,453 per year, plus a post adjustment, a housing allowance of USD 19,103.64 per year, and an education allowance.
5. Senior Human Resources Officer (P3)
- Grade: P3
- Reports to: Head of the Human Resources Division
- Location: Cairo, Egypt
- Deadline: 25 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. EAT
The Senior HR Officer will support the development and implementation of AfSA’s HR strategies and policies. Responsibilities include coordinating end-to-end recruitment, onboarding, and induction; managing performance review cycles; designing learning and capacity-building programmes; handling employee relations; and ensuring compliance with AU Staff Rules and Regulations.
- Requirements: A Master’s degree in HR management, psychology, public or business administration, business management, law or a related social science field with seven years of HR experience (three at expert level), or a Bachelor’s degree with 10 years of experience (three at expert level).
- Key skills: Talent acquisition and workforce planning; performance management systems; drafting HR policies and documentation.
- Remuneration: Indicative basic salary of USD 37,453 per year, plus a post adjustment, a housing allowance of USD 19,103.64 per year, and an education allowance.
Applications for the Senior Finance Officer and Senior Human Resources Officer roles close on 25 November 2026, while applications for the Director General, Director of Corporate Services and Head of Legal Affairs close on 10 December 2026. All applications must be submitted through the African Union careers portal using the AU CV template. Interested candidates are encouraged to review the full job descriptions through the links above before applying.
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