The African Space Agency (AfSA) is recruiting for five regular positions at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. The vacancies span the Agency’s executive leadership, corporate services, legal affairs, finance and human resources functions.
The positions are advertised through the African Union careers portal and include three senior leadership and specialist roles, alongside two professional officer positions. Application deadlines are 25 November 2026 for the finance and human resources roles, and 10 December 2026 for the three senior positions.
All appointments are for an initial three-year regular contract, with the first 12 months serving as a probationary period. Contracts may be renewed for a further three years, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.
Director General, African Space Agency (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, overseeing the implementation of its mandate, strategies and programmes in line with decisions of the AfSA Council, African Union priorities and Africa’s space agenda. The role also serves as Secretary to the AfSA Council and oversees seven direct reports and 155 indirect reports.
Responsibilities include leading the Agency’s strategic plans, annual work programmes, budgets and continental space programmes; supervising senior management; overseeing financial and human resources; strengthening partnerships and resource mobilisation; supporting the development of common African positions on space-related matters; and representing AfSA at continental and international forums.
Requirements: A Master’s degree in a space-related scientific or technical field, such as aerospace engineering, physics, earth observation or remote sensing, or in space policy, space law, public policy, economics, international relations or a related field. A PhD is an advantage. Candidates must have at least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience, including 10 years at managerial level and five years at supervisory level. Substantial experience in the space sector is required, while experience in intergovernmental institutions and knowledge of Africa’s space sector are highly desirable.
Key skills: Strategic leadership, management of multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, stakeholder engagement at senior levels, strategic risk identification, delegation and effective communication across countries and institutions.
Remuneration: Indicative basic salary of US$100,017 per year, plus a 48% post adjustment, annual housing allowance of US$21,832.68 and an education allowance for eligible dependants, subject to the applicable limits.
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 provide strategic leadership and oversight of AfSA’s corporate functions, including human resources, finance, procurement, administration and information technology. The role is responsible for ensuring that these functions provide efficient, accountable and compliant institutional support to the Agency’s mandate. It oversees three direct reports and 13 indirect reports.
Responsibilities include developing corporate strategies, work plans and budgets; overseeing policies, procedures and internal controls; leading workforce planning and staff development; managing operational risks; coordinating the Directorate’s activities; and supporting resource mobilisation, donor engagement and partnerships with African Union institutions, Member States and development partners.
Requirements: A Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, finance, human resources management, procurement, supply chain management, information technology, law, organisational development, management or a related field. Candidates must have at least 15 years of progressive professional experience, including eight years at managerial level and five years at supervisory level. Experience managing large organisations or departments and overseeing corporate functions is required. Experience in the African Union or a similar intergovernmental organisation is highly desirable.
Key skills: Strategic leadership, negotiation and diplomacy, high-level representation, team building, organisational planning, stakeholder engagement and the ability to navigate complex intergovernmental processes.
Remuneration: Indicative basic salary of US$78,138 per year, plus a 48% post adjustment, annual housing allowance of US$21,832.68 and an education allowance for eligible dependants, subject to the applicable limits.
Head of Legal Affairs (P5)
Grade: P5
Reports to: Director General, AfSA
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Deadline: 10 December 2026, 11:59 p.m. EAT
The Head of Legal Affairs will provide strategic, technical and legal leadership for AfSA’s Legal Affairs Division, safeguarding the Agency’s legal interests and ensuring compliance with the African Union’s legal framework and applicable African and international space law. The position oversees four direct reports.
Responsibilities include advising the Director General on institutional and legal matters, including the AfSA Statute and the Headquarters Agreement with Egypt; managing legal risks across the Agency’s programmes; interpreting relevant African Union instruments and United Nations space treaties; drafting contracts and cooperation agreements, including satellite and data-sharing agreements; and representing AfSA at conferences and treaty negotiations.
Requirements: A Master’s degree in law, public international law, air and space law or a related legal field, with at least 12 years of legal experience, preferably in public international law or the institutional law of international organisations. At least seven years must be at managerial level and five years at supervisory level. Admission to the bar or membership of a recognised professional legal body is an advantage.
Key skills: Legal drafting and review, negotiation and facilitation, analytical and report-writing skills, policy analysis, legal risk management and knowledge of international and regional policy processes. Working knowledge of Arabic is an additional asset given the Cairo duty station.
Remuneration: Indicative basic salary of US$50,746 per year, plus a 48% post adjustment, annual housing allowance of US$21,832.68 and an education allowance for eligible dependants, subject to the applicable limits.
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 support the effective and transparent management of AfSA’s funds in accordance with African Union Financial Rules and Regulations and sound financial management principles.
Responsibilities include verifying and certifying expenditure, monitoring the financial aspects of procurement contracts, preparing budgets and financial reports, monitoring budget execution and variances, reviewing accounting entries and bank reconciliations, supporting the preparation of financial statements compliant with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), identifying financial risks and supporting internal and external audits.
Requirements: A Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, economics or a related field, with at least seven years of finance or accounting experience, including three years at expert level; or a Bachelor’s degree in one of these fields, with at least 10 years of experience, including three years at expert level. A recognised professional accounting qualification, such as ACCA, CPA, CA or CIMA, is an advantage.
Key skills: Financial analysis, budget monitoring, IPSAS, enterprise resource planning systems such as SAP, research, report writing, communication, coordination and knowledge of African Union financial policies and procedures.
Remuneration: Indicative basic salary of US$37,453 per year, plus a 48% post adjustment, annual housing allowance of US$19,103.64 and an education allowance for eligible dependants, subject to the applicable limits.
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 Human Resources Officer will support the development and implementation of AfSA’s human resources strategies, policies and programmes to attract, develop, engage and retain a qualified and diverse workforce.
Responsibilities include coordinating recruitment and selection, preparing vacancy announcements and recruitment documentation, supporting onboarding and induction, monitoring performance reviews, identifying training needs, coordinating learning and capacity-building programmes, advising on employee relations, supporting staff welfare initiatives and ensuring compliance with the Agency’s Staff Rules and Regulations. The role also involves maintaining confidential personnel records and supporting workforce planning, compensation and benefits administration.
Requirements: A Master’s degree in human resources management, psychology, public administration, business administration, business management, law or a related social sciences field, with at least seven years of progressive human resources experience, including three years at expert level; or a Bachelor’s degree in one of these fields, with at least 10 years of progressive experience, including three years at expert level.
Key skills: Talent acquisition, workforce planning, performance management, employee relations, knowledge of HR policies and compliance, interpersonal and relationship-management skills, problem-solving, confidentiality, report writing and the ability to work effectively in multicultural teams.
Remuneration: Indicative basic salary of US$37,453 per year, plus a 48% post adjustment, annual housing allowance of US$19,103.64 and an education allowance for eligible dependants, subject to the applicable limits.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a fully completed online application through the official African Union careers portal. Use of the mandatory African Union CV template is required. Candidates should download the relevant English or French template from the recruitment portal, complete it and upload it with their application.
Applications must include a CV, an African passport and the required academic qualifications and relevant certificates. Only candidates who meet the job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.
Proficiency in at least one African Union working language, Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese or Spanish, is mandatory for these positions. Fluency in another AU working language is an advantage.
The African Union is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and candidates from least represented and underrepresented AU Member States are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications for the Senior Finance Officer and Senior Human Resources Officer positions close on 25 November 2026. Applications for the Director General, Director of Corporate Services and Head of Legal Affairs positions close on 10 December 2026. All deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. East Africa Time (EAT).
Interested candidates should consult the complete vacancy notices and submit their applications through the official African Union careers portal before the relevant deadlines.