Communications & Information Officer (IAPSC) at the African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Communications & Information Officer (IAPSC)

Requisition ID: 2328
Location: Yaounde, Cameroon
Job Grade: P2
Contract Type: Regular
Division: IAPSC
Reports to: Finance and Administrative Officer, UA-SAFGRAD
Directorate/Department/Organ: Agriculture, Rural Development & Blue Economy (ARBE)

Purpose of Job

• To support the work of division in implementing planned programmes and provide technical inputs to develop strategies.

Main Functions

• To coordinate and promote use of AU-lAPSC's Plant Health Information System
• Liaise with AU member States and relevant institutions to promote the activities of AU-IAPSC;
• Publishing related documents (in UA working languages);
• Provide strategic and tactical Public Relations support to the different Units of AU-IAPSC;
• Develop targeted communications materials/programs for the Focal Points to sensitive member states;
• Manage AU-lAPSC's Documentation, Information and Communication Centre

Specific Responsibilities

• Communications Programmes Implementation
• Developing and maintaining a comprehensive database of AU-IAPSC and project contacts with an interface to the messaging system 
• Developing and maintaining a comprehensive database of basic project and AU-IAPSC basic statistics 
• Serving as the Editor for the International Plant Protection Convention and ensure information on Plant Health Issues are shared instantly;
• Serve as IPPC Online Comment System for Africa;
• Developing and maintaining a knowledge management system that will ensure retention of AU-lAPSC's institutional memory;
• Liaising with IT staff to create document repository databases in various technical formats;
• Liaising with project staff to generate content for periodicals such as an internal news bulletin and a daily media monitoring digest;
• Editorial and layout support for publications of AU-IAPSC, project reports and PowerPoint presentations;
• Copywriting of AU-IAPSC information material such as corporate and project brochures and posters, which form a prime external communications tool of the organization, using the necessary platforms and applications (MS-Publisher and/or Corel Draw, etc);
• Facilitate media outreach, including the maintenance of media contact databases and provide qualitative feedback report;
• Manage AU-IAPSC website; 
• Ensure that all reports of conferences, seminars and workshops are translated into the working languages of African Union;
• Coordinating all activities related to documentation and implementing related documentation systems;
• Manage media training sessions for key personnel as needed;
• Help track, analyze and report media coverage of AU and AU-IAPSC events;
• Provide public relations writing support;
• Development of press releases, media pitches, bylined articles and white papers;
• Coordinate and draft responses to press inquiries in a timely manner;
• Consult AU-IAPSC experts and prepare talking points for media interviews;
• Plan and coordinate press events;
• Any other duties as assigned by supervisor or the Director of Information and Communication

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Management, Journalism, Public Relations, International Affairs or any other related communications field.
• 5-years’ of relevant professional experience within developing and implementing communication activities for national government or public sector, regional or international government or non-governmental organisations, multinational organisations, advertising agencies or leading media companies will be a distinct advantage.

Or

• Master Degree in Information management, journalism, public relations, international affairs or any other related communications field.
• 2-years’ of relevant professional experience within developing and implementing communication activities for national government or public sector, regional or international government or non-governmental organisations, multinational organisations, advertising agencies or leading media companies will be a distinct advantage.

Required Skills:

• Leadership, relationship-building, strategic planning and motivational skills;
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Good organizational and planning skills
• Good Analytical skills and giving attension to details
• Good interpersonal skills and team work
• Time management skills;
• Ability to work in multicultural environment
• Sound planning and organisational skills
• Evidence of ability to establish rapport effectively with a wide variety of people and project a positive organizational image;
• Ability to occasionally work a flexible schedule including participation in special events, meetings, seminars;
• Ability to work under pressure is highly desirable;
• Action-oriented, high initiative, good problem-solving skills, and independent thinking
• Computer literate and versed with Power Point, MS Excel and MS Word, publisher or Xpress.
• Proficiency in one of the AU officials working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Spanish or Arabic) and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:
Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Accountability awareness and Compliance
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Focus

Tenure of Appointment:

• The appointment will be made on a regular term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months shall be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.

Gender Mainstreaming:

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

Languages:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$ 31,073.00 (P2 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (48% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 18,396.00 (per annum), and education allowance (100% of tuition and other education-related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10,000.00 per child per annum), for internationally recruited staff and a maximum of $3,300 per child per annum for locally recruited staff.

Application Closing Date
4th October, 2024; 11h59 p.m. EAT.