Communication Officer, Platform for Harmonized African Health Products Manufacturing (AfCDC) 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: Communication Officer, Platform for Harmonized African Health Products Manufacturing (AfCDC)

Req Id: 2682
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Local Manufacturing Coordinator
Directorate/Department: Office of the DDG
Division: Local Manufacturing
Job Grade: P2
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Purpose of Job

• The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is an autonomous technical institution of the African Union that supports the Member States (MS) in planning, preparing, and responding effectively and efficiently to the continent's public health threats and outbreaks. Leadership principles of credibility, ownership, delegated authority, timely dissemination of information, transparency, accountability, and value addition guide Africa CDC.
• The African Union has set a goal to increase vaccine manufacturing on the African continent to meet 60% of the demand by 2040 and mandated the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM), under the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), to develop and implement a Framework for Action (FFA) to execute this mandate. In the FFA, 8 bold programs have been defined to support the vaccine manufacturing ecosystem enablers and continental strategy. One of these programs is the Market Design and Demand Intelligence bold program.
• The recommendations from the communiqué from the Meeting of the Bureau of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government in May 2022 and from the communiqué from the First Manufacturer Marketplace in September 2023 underscore the importance of the Market Design and Demand Intelligence assurance for the strengthening and sustainability of the continental vaccine manufacturing ecosystem.
• Subsequently, at its meeting [37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, 18th February 2024], the AU endorsed that a pooled procurement mechanism (PPM) be established and urged Africa CDC to immediately put in place the modalities for full implementation. Further, the Committee of the Heads of State on 13th February 2024 directed Africa CDC to upgrade PAVM to a Platform for Harmonized African Health Manufacturing (PHAHM) to respond to the call of the New Public Health Order for expansion of local manufacturing of all medical countermeasures (vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and others) towards building a self-sufficient healthcare manufacturing sector within Africa.
• Africa CDC plays a lead role in developing and supporting regional and local manufacturing across the continent as part of its mandate and function. Its mandate on local manufacturing includes, among others, technology transfer, access to raw materials, regulatory strengthening, financing, market shaping and pool procurement.
• The Africa CDC’s Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) Framework for Action sets an ambitious target of producing 60% of vaccines used on the continent. In May 2023, the WHA side-event recommended the expansion of the PAVM scope to include therapeutics and diagnostics. 
• Against this background, Africa CDC is seeking a Communication Officer for the Platform for Harmonized African Health Products Manufacturing (PHAHM).

Main Functions

• The Communications Officer, Platform for Harmonized African Health Products Manufacturing (PHAHM) will serve as coordinator of the PHAHM Communications strategy linking it to the wider Africa CDC communications strategy.  

Specific Responsibilities

• Assist the PHAHM leadership in coordinating and engaging with partners, and follow up on deliverables
• Craft messages for social media, news article, press releases to promote Local manufacturing and Ecosystem Development
• Lead engagements with external partners in joint communications strategy for key advocacy events 
• Support the development of the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM) advocacy activities
• Plan and execute APPM communications and messaging in line with Africa CDC Communications 
• Support PHAHM Program Implementation: African Manufacturing of vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics and other health products
• Steer and manage the Agenda Setting and Coordination workstream for the Local Manufacturing in Africa
• End to End Organization of High-Level Africa CDC Events on APPM and Local Manufacturing
• Provide Translation of PHAHM Communications materials and Ensure Interpretation in all AU Languages of PHAHM Events 
• Performs any other related duties as may be assigned.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising or in a related field with a minimum of 5 years of experience in communications or public relations Or Master’s degree in mass communication, Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising or in a related field with a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in communication
• Experience working in an organization implementing Local Manufacturing programs is an added advantage 
• Experience with strategic planning and project management
• Organizational skills including attention to detail and effective management of tasks 
• Experience in Managing High-Level Events Worldwide 
• Exposure to international organizations and the public sector is a plus.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in one of the AU Official working languages (Arabic English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage.
• Ability to initiate and identify key strategic opportunities and risks.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills 
• Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Capacity to work under pressure and multi-task within tight time constraints.
• Creative and strategic thinker with a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, drive continuous improvement, and make rational decisions to enhance project performance
• Problem-solving aptitude with strong analytical skills, solution-oriented thinking, and risk management abilities, leveraging experience for evidence-based decision-making
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build collaborative relationships across divisions and institutions to achieve organizational goals.
• Excellent drafting, technical writing, and reporting skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information into clear presentations, briefings, and funding proposals for both technical and lay audiences
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and relate well with a broad array of individuals both within and outside of the AU.
• Excellent diplomatic and communication skills, with experience engaging stakeholders and decision-makers in professional and technical settings
• Demonstrated project planning and management skills for organizing, planning and executing projects from conception through implementation 
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer skills, including word processing, email, and internet applications, with experience using Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and data analysis tools.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk.

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationship
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence
• Fosters Accountability Culture.

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Drive for Results
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Continuous Improvement Orientation.

Tenure of Appointment:

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables. 

Gender Mainstreaming:

• Africa CDC 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
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 85,212.07 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$  66,751.81  inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
25th April, 2025, 11h59 p.m. EAT.