EOI - Long-term Communications Consultant Under the Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF) - PICU at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

African Development Bank Group (AfDB) - Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 80 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: EOI - Long-term Communications Consultant under the Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF) - PICU

Location: Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
Consultant type: Individual Consultant
Estimated Duration of Services: Twelve (12) months (with a possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance)
Estimated Starting Date: 12th June, 2023
Job family: Other

Brief Description of the Assignment

• The African Development Bank hereby invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in the following Assignment: Long-term (12 month) communications consultancy in the Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF) Secretariat.
• The services to be provided under the Assignment include:
  • Support the development, operationalization, coordination and roll-out of the Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF) communication strategy, with a particular focus on the media and partner relations
  • Provide strategic and technical contributions to reporting and communication outcomes and outputs defined by the UMDF Strategy and Results Management Framework
  • Further develop and maintain the UMDF’s traditional, digital and social media channels/platforms, and support the quality control of communications with a view of improving outreach, transparency and access to information. The consultant will support direct delivery of outputs, knowledge management products and events with other consultants, service providers and the Bank’s wider communication team, contributing to the overall Bank and Fund success at national and city level in the urban sector.
• The Urban Development and Infrastructure Department invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-described services. Interested Consultants shall provide information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to undertake this Assignment (documents, reference to similar services, experience in similar assignments, etc.).

Objectives of the Assignment
The UMDF is a new trust fund dedicated to supporting urban development across Africa.

• The UMDF began operations in 2020, with technical assistance for investment project preparation, municipal finance and the African Cities Program, a comprehensive approach to provide intensive support along all three outcome areas of the Fund to selected municipalities across the continent.
• The objective of the consultancy is to:
  • Support the development, operationalization, coordination and roll-out of the Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF) communication strategy, with a particular focus on the media and partner relations
  • Provide strategic and technical contributions to reporting and communication outcomes and outputs defined by the UMDF Strategy and
  • Results Management Framework
  • Further develop and maintain the UMDF’s traditional, digital and social media channels/platforms, and (iv) support the quality control of communications with a view of improving outreach, transparency and access to information.
  • The consultant will support direct delivery of outputs, knowledge management products and events with other Bank Staff, consultants, service providers and the Bank’s wider communication team, contributing to the overall Bank and Fund success at national and city level in the urban sector.
  • The Consultant will work primarily but not exclusively on UMDF communications and UMDF development.

Location & Reporting:

• The consultant will be a member of the Urban and Municipal Development Fund Secretariat, under the overall guidance of the Director of the Infrastructure and Urban Development Department (PICU) and/or the Director’s designee. Day-to-day supervision will be assured by the UMDF coordinator.
• The position is home-based with only modest travel anticipated (subject to AfDB travel policy).
• The Bank’s HQ is located in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, and it is expected that the consultant, regardless of location & timezone, is available for the whole or part of the normal Bank HQ working hours (09:00-17:00 UTC). The estimated starting date is 12 June 2023, or soonest thereafter at the date of contract signature by the Bank.

Duration of the Assignment:

• The position is a part-time position, equivalent to 132 working days over a 365-days period.
• The duration of the consultancy is twelve (12) months, with the option of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.

Qualifications and Experience Required

• Master's Degree in a Communications related field or related discipline
• Preferably ten (10) years of relevant and practical work experience on communications.
• Experience working with cities and with Multi-Lateral Development Banks or an international organization will be considered an advantage, preferably in, or with, African Institutions.
• Experience in coordinating and managing a communication team (for graphic design, web development, text editing, event production etc.)
• Experience with developing and implementing communication strategies, products and platforms.
• Strong customer service and organizational skills, ability to perform a variety of tasks, pay attention to detail and work with a multidisciplinary team.
• Perfect command of the standard software applications (Communications software & tools, MS Office, Virtual Meeting software, online collaboration applications).
• Good coordination skills.
• Demonstrable commitment to delivering excellent customer service
• Flexibility to adapt, positive attitude towards change, and a constructive and creative approach to problem solving.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing in French and / or English.

Application Closing Date
24th May, 2023 (6:00PM Abidjan time).