1.1.            The overall function of the Policy Development Unit is to develop strategic level policies for PSOs. It has the following cells: 

a)         Policy Development

b)         Policy Research, Lessons Learned and Best Practices

1.2. POLICY DEVELOPMENT CELL

The functions of the Policy Development Cell are to:

1.2.1. Formulate and review AU PSO policies.
1.2.2. Provide oversight on the development of policies, directives and guidelines to ensure alignment with Policy Framework and other relevant policies.
1.2.3. Interpret and provide guidance on strategic level PSO policies to the PSC, other AU organs, AUC and partners. This includes attendance of PSC meetings on PSOs.
1.2.4. Provide policy advice and guidance on PSOs to all PSO planning and mission management functions.
1.2.5. Serve as the contact point for RECs/RMs and partners in relation to development and dissemination of policy documents on the ASF and PSOs.
1.2.6. Keep a record of all AU PSO documents as tabulated in the AU PSO Catalogue of Documents.
1.2.7. Support the convening and documentation of outcomes of STCDSS and other meetings as required.
1.2.8. Develop generic templates for Policy Documents, Legal Frameworks and other PSO documents as contained in the AU PSO Catalogue of Document. Reference herein is made to documents such as, AU Decision-Making Process, AU-Troop/Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs), Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Guidelines for Troop/Police Contributing Countries, Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA), Status of Forces Agreement (SoFA), Rules of Engagement (RoE), Directives on the Use of Force (DUF), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Strategic Directives, Force Commander’s Directives, Police Commissioner’s Directives, Head of Mission Support Directives, Directives on Code of Conduct and Discipline inclusive of Guidelines on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Chief of Finance Directives.
 

1.3. POLICY RESEARCH, LESSONS LEARNED AND BEST PRACTICES CELL

The functions of the Policy Research, Evaluation and Best Practices Cell are to:

1.3.1. Commission research on PSO relevant subjects, namely:

a) Emerging threats, and,
b) Future trends.

1.3.2. Provide an integrated capacity to develop, disseminate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of AU PSO policies.
1.3.3. Conduct and compile lessons learned with the view to incorporating best practices into AU PSO policies.
1.3.4. Develop policies and operational frameworks for strategic cooperation with the partners on PSOs.
1.3.5. Monitor policy developments on PSOs from academic institutions, civil society organizations, AU MS and other relevant institutions or bodies.
1.3.6. Serve as the nodal point for interaction between the PSOD and relevant Policy and Research Institutions.