African Space Agency Begins Recruitment for Director General and Senior Staff

The African Space Agency (AfSA) has opened recruitment for its Director General, alongside four other senior positions at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. The vacancies, published on 27 October 2026 through the African Union careers portal, cover the Agency’s executive leadership, corporate services, legal affairs, finance and human resources.

The five positions are Director General (D2), Director of Corporate Services (D1), Head of Legal Affairs (P5), Senior Finance Officer (P3) and Senior Human Resources Officer (P3). Applications for the Director General, Director of Corporate Services and Head of Legal Affairs close on 10 December 2026, while the finance and HR roles close earlier, on 25 November 2026.

The Director General Role

The successful candidate will lead AfSA’s strategic plans, budgets, and continental space programmes; mobilise resources and partnerships; coordinate African common positions on space matters; and represent the Agency at continental and international levels. AfSA does not currently have a Director General; the AfSA Council, its 10-member governing body, oversees the Agency. According to the job description, the incoming Director General will report to the President of the AfSA Council and will serve as Secretary to the Council. The role carries seven direct reports and 155 indirect reports, indicating the workforce the Agency is planning for. 

Candidates need a Master’s degree in a space-related technical field or in areas such as space policy, space law, public policy or economics, along with at least 15 years of progressively responsible experience, including substantial experience in the space sector. The position carries an indicative basic salary of USD 100,017 per year, plus allowances, on a three-year renewable contract.

Building the Institution

The other four roles focus on institutional foundations. The Director of Corporate Services will oversee human resources, finance, procurement, administration and IT, while the Head of Legal Affairs will advise on the AfSA Statute, the Headquarters Agreement with Egypt, and the UN space treaties, and will draft cooperation, satellite and data-sharing agreements. The finance and HR officers will manage funds, budgeting, recruitment, and performance systems.

Background

The African Union selected Egypt as AfSA’s host nation in 2019, and the Agency was officially inaugurated at its permanent headquarters in Egypt’s Space City, Cairo, on 20 April 2025.

All positions are open to nationals of AU Member States, and AfSA strongly encourage women and candidates from least represented and underrepresented countries to apply.

To read more about these positions and how to apply, click here.