Senior Communications Officer at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) - African Union (AU)

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a specialized technical institution of the African Union established to support public health initiatives of Member States and strengthen the capacity of their public health institutions to detect, prevent, control and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Communications Officer - Saving Lives and Livelihoods Programme

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (HQ)
Grade: AUP3 Step 1
Supervisor: Programme Manager - Saving Lives and Livelihoods

The Role

• The Senior Communications Officer’s primary responsibility will be executing media product development for the vaccine roll-out programme.
• This will involve content development for internal and external communication, including website content, communiqués and press releases, promotional materials, social media content, risk communications, graphic layout of agency publications, and other media products.

Major Duties and Responsibilities
The Senior Communication Officer shall:

• Develop communication procedures, prepare, and operate Africa CDC’s website;
• Lead organization effort in public relations, social media, risk communications, and facilitate and disseminate scientific information and products;
• Develop talking points, briefings, presentations, speeches, social media content and other communication products that will be used by the Programme Manager
• Protect the reputation of Africa CDC by identifying potentially damaging, sensitive issues or reports and develop a mitigation plan to handle or avert any communication risk;
• Keep up to date with best practice and trends in vaccination communication and apply to the work moving forward;
• Provide technical advisory to implementing partners and regional teams;
• Track rapid response related to operational KPIs and compile and distribute progress report;
• Represent Africa CDC in a professional manner, which creates a positive image and enhances the credibility of the organization; and
• Perform any other duties as requested by the Programme Manager.

Qualifications and Skills Required

• Master’s Degree in Mass Communications, Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising or related fields. Preferred candidates will have at least 7 years of work experience of which 3 years are at supervisory role.

Or

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications, Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising or related fields. Preferred candidates will have at least 10 years of work experience of which 3 years are at supervisory role.

Required Skills and Competencies
Functional Skills:

• Excellent diplomatic, representational, interpersonal and communication skills, including experience with successfully interacting with stakeholders and decision-makers in technical and other professional settings
• Comprehensive knowledge of the range of administrative laws, policies, regulations, and precedents applicable to the development and administration of domestic and international health communication programmes
• Strong command of document and graphic presentation and media software systems and tools
• Possesses excellent organization and project management skills and composure
• Excellent verbal and written skills and experience in executing various writing styles and voices, including journalistic and executive writing
• Excellent computer skills, including word-processing capabilities, proficiency with e-mail and internet applications as well as experience in using office software applications such as MS Excel, Power Point and Word

Personal Abilities:

• Leadership and management abilities
• Pro-active and solutions oriented
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to build strong relationships internally and with external actors
• High level of autonomy at work with a profound team spirit
• Ability to work under pressure, with minimal supervision
• Ability to work and thrive in a culturally diverse team
• Adaptive, patient, resourceful, resilient, and flexible

Language Requirements:

• Applicants must be proficient in at least one of the African Union working languages (English, French, Arabic, Spanish, or Portuguese).
• Knowledge of two or more of African Union working languages would be an added advantage.

Tenure of Appointment:

• The appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of three years.
• The first three months will be considered a probationary period, thereafter, the
• contract will be renewed annually subject to satisfactory performance and fund availability.

Gender Mainstreaming:

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Remuneration

• Indicative basic salary of US$37,453 (AUP 3 Step 1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment of US$17,228.38 (46% of basic salary per annum), Housing allowance of US$22,932 per annum, Thus a total of US$77,613.38 per annum plus Gratuity of 15% of Gross salary per annum.

Application Closing Date
10th July, 2022.