Policy Officer, Communication, Visibility and Knowledge Management 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 Organisation 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 of:

Job Title: Policy Officer, Communication, Visibility and Knowledge Management

Requisition ID: 364
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Organization: African Union Commission – AUC
Reports to: ClimSA-GFCS Project Coordinator
Directorate: Sustainable Environment & Blue Economy Directorate/ Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (DARBE)
Division: Sustainable Environment
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P2

Purpose of Job

• The African Union Commission (AUC) has secured funding from the European Union for the implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) through the Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Application (ClimSA) programme.
• The programme addresses the issue of climate information throughout the entire supply chain of climate services covering generation and provision of climate services, access to information, user interface platforms, and capacity enhancement of critical players including, but not limited to, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of Member States, and Regional Climate Centres (RCCs).
• It aims to enable Member States to develop and incorporate science-based climate information and prediction into development planning and decision-making at all levels, and to better manage risks of climate variability and change, Furthermore, it enhances policy and decision-making at continental, regional, national, community, and individual levels.
• The AUC is responsible for the overall continental coordination of the programme implementation, which includes the development and application of weather and climate information services; facilitation of capacity building for RECs and Member States; fostering sharing of best practices and coordinating knowledge management; procurement and supply of equipment for Member States and Regional Climate Centres; establishing and operationalization of the continental monitoring and reporting framework; facilitation of preparation of Africa State of Climate Reports and Outlooks; prudent management of financial resources; and monitoring and evaluation.

Main Functions
The Policy Officer, Communication, Visibility and Knowledge Management shall:

• Have the responsibility of ensuring the implementation of the communication, visibility and knowledge management strategy of the programme including communication and sharing of information to stakeholders and the wider public.
• Ensure that the communication and visibility strategy and the implementation plan are put in place. Collaborates with RECs and Regional Climate Centres in the production communication and visibility materials.
• Ensure effective knowledge management for weather and climate services and effective technical coordination and implementation across RECs and RCCs.

Specific Responsibilities
The Policy Officer shall:

• Develop and lead implementation of the Communication and Visibility Strategy of the GFCS programme;
• Assist the Coordinator in preparation of communication materials for the GFCS programme;
• Liaise with Communication experts from RCCs on the organization of communication and visibility events;
• Lead in the planning and organization of joint communication and visibility events in international and African fora on climate change, meteorology and related environmental events;
• Handle the media relations for the programme, including through arranging interviews and facilitating contacts by the media;
• Work closely and actively with local, regional and international media to develop an accurate understanding of the programme, objectives, activities, achievements, etc.;
• Manage the media and public information activities and raises awareness of core thematic areas within the context of the ClimSA/GFCS programme;
• Create and maintain networks of high level communications contacts with broadcast media, the press, governmental agencies, international institutions and other civil society organizations (non-governmental organizations, businesses, community organizations, interest groups, etc.);
• Prepare press releases and background notices for use by the media;
• Monitor the media for coverage of the ClimSA/GFCS project and other relevant news; identify trends and provide advice on correcting misinformation;
• Coordinate the production of visibility materials including publications, technical reports, booklets, flyers, t-shirts, journals and newsletters, bulletins, etc.;
• Coordinate the production of periodic African State of Climate Report, Climate Outlooks, Advisories, etc.
• Collaborate with DIC on the development, update and management of the project website/webpage in line with AU procedures.
• Perform any other related duties assigned by supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Minimum of Bachelor’s University Degree in one or more of the following fields: Communications, Public Relations, International Relations, Broadcasting or in another relevant discipline of Social Sciences with additional relevant academic qualification or professional training in communication or public relations.
• Additional or higher qualifications in Information Management, Library Science, Knowledge Management, etc. will be an advantage.
• At least three (3) years relevant, progressively responsible and professional experience in Journalism, Communications or Public Relations, including at least two (2) years of experience in climate/ environment information communication at the international level in a public information/relations position.
• Extensive experience in the field of public information and communication in institutions working on climate services.  Prior experience at an international level and with EU communication and visibility practices is an asset.
• Practical experience in earth observation and climate information communication is an asset.

Required Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Sound planning and organizational skills
• Environment and climate communication skills at national, regional and continental level in Africa
• Audio visual content production and design skills using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premier, Adobe InDesign software
• Social media and web content development and management skills
• Ability to negotiate diplomatically
• Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority with regard to performance management and professional development
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

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

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationship
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence
• Functional Competencies
• Conceptual thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for result.
• Continuous improvement orientation.

Tenure Of Appointment

• The appointment shall be for an initial period of one (1) year, the first three (3) months of which shall be on probation. It shall be renewable subject to performance and availability of funds.

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
9th June, 2021.