REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Joint Secretariat Support Office (JSSO), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

1. The African Development Bank hereby invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in the following consultancy assignment : Communication Specialist ;
2. The services to be provided under the Assignment include: advise on communications strategy and outreach programs to give visibility to the strategic partnership between the African Union Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank – otherwise referred to as the Joint Secretariat Institutions (JSIs); oversee the design and editorial content of JSSO website and intranet; produce and disseminate multimedia outreach materials targeting internal and external audiences; plan and implement media events, including press releases, report launches and press conferences ;
3. The Joint Secretariat Support Office (JSSO) 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.) ;
4. The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedure shall be in conformity with the Bank’s Procurement Policy Framework for Bank Funded Operations, October 2015 Edition, available on the Bank Website at http://www.afdb.org. Please, note that interest expressed by a Consultant does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include him/her in the shortlist ;
5. The estimated duration of services is Six (6) months and estimated starting date is 7 January 2020 ;
6. Interested Individual Consultants may obtain the Terms of Reference for the Assignment and further information at the address below during the Bank’s working hours: 8:00 – 17:30 from Monday to Friday;
7. Expressions of interest must be received at the address below no later than Friday, 27 December 2019, at 17:00 hrs. local time and specifically mentioning, Consultant, Technical Adviser,

For the attention of :

Mrs. Bonita Freeman

Budget & Administrative Officer

Office of The President (PCSC)

African Development Bank

06 Avenue Joseph Anoma

Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

Tel : +225 20 26 12 05

E-mail : b.freeman@afdb.org

8. A shortlist of three to six individual consultants will be established at the end the request of expressions of interest. The consultants on the shortlist will be judged on the following criteria on the basis of their updated resume.

AFRICAN UNION

COMMISSION

JOINT SECRETARIAT SUPPORT OFFICE

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP

Terms of Reference for Consultant Communication Specialist

Background :

The Joint Secretariat Support Office (JSSO) is a joint initiative of the Africa Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) with mandate to strengthen coordination and collaboration among these institutions, collectively referred to as the Joint Secretariat Institutions (JSIs).

Established through a Memorandum of Understanding, JSSO seeks to enhance the strategic partnership between the JSIs in order to ensure coherence and leverage synergies for Africa’s transformation.

In the context of renewed initiatives by the Heads of the JSIs to revitalise JSSO as a platform for enhanced collaboration to accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2063 flagship programs and related continental frameworks, the services of a Consultant Communication Specialist are required to support the Director that contributes to achieving JSSO’s mandate.

Scope of the Consultancy Services :

The Communication Specialist will advise on communications strategy and outreach initiatives to raise the profile of the priority joint programs, as well as the initiatives of the JSIs. The objective is to increase awareness of JSSO activities, enhance the visibility of the JSIs’ collaborative efforts and promote strategic partnerships on matters of common interest.

Reporting to the Director, the Consultant will work closely with the JSSO team to initiate and implement strategies aimed at strengthening communications, advocacy and outreach to key internal and external stakeholders, including the Regional Economic Communities, other continental institutions, Development Partners, the private sector, civil society, think tanks and academia.

Specific tasks will include but not be limited to :

• Updating JSSO’s Communication Strategy, incorporating key lessons to ensure effectiveness and visibility ;
• Conceptualise, provide technical design and develop functionalities of a JSSO website, social media and other digital platforms, giving advice on the management of the website and content updates ;
• Oversee the design and editorial content of the website and intranet, ensuring that contents are regularly updated and promoted ;
• Produce and disseminate multimedia outreach materials targeting internal and external audiences, including flyers and newsletters ;
• Prepare Op-eds, briefing notes, speeches, press releases and social media content, among others ;
• Organize regular and ad-hoc briefings, public information events such as media interviews and press conferences, including during JSSO’s events and the JSIs’ major conferences and meetings ;
• Develop strategies for partnerships and maintain database of partners in the field of information and communications media ;
• Maintain regular contact with external media and design awareness campaigns in print and electronic media ;
• Coordinate events and activities undertaken by JSSO and its partners, ensuring social media coverage, video and print coverage ;
• Identify and synthesise best practices directly linked to communications and outreach activities of the JSSO ;
• Assist to identify joint initiatives, programmes and projects that require special and/or regular communications interventions and determine the types of communications interventions that will best support these initiatives, programmes and projects and coordinate with relevant departments/Divisions at the JSIs to work on them ;
• Contribute to the preparation of JSSO reports and its coordination platforms ;
• Pro-actively identify media opportunities and in close liaison with the JSIs Communications teams, plan and implement media events, including press releases, report launches and press conferences ;
• Monitor international and local media, and provide regular updates of any media coverage relevant to the work of JSSO.

Expected Results :

Communications Strategy :

• A well-targeted communications strategy aligned to JSIs’ corporate communications priorities and strategies, articulating key messages to be promoted, measures to effectively brand JSSO as a strategic platform for enhancing strategic partnerships among the JSIs ;
• Well-articulated processes and procedures for implementation of JSSO communications strategy to enhance visibility and effective corporate communications ;
• Propose options for development of a website and multi-media platforms for JSSO ;
• Refinement of the architecture and design of the website following inputs from staff, partners and management of JSSO ;
• Preparation of a maintenance or management schedule as approved by the Director.

Branded Material : Prepare guidelines, templates and designs for various branding materials for JSSO such as banners, newsletters, flyers etc.

Qualifications, Experience and Competencies :

The suitable candidate will possess : Graduate level degree in Communications, Journalism or any related discipline;

Experience :

• A minimum of 6 years of proven professional experience in communications and advocacy activities with media channels and online communications platforms ;
• Ability to produce wide range of communication support, including infographics, videos and layouts for both web based and print media.

Competencies :

• Excellent communications skills ;
• Strong design, drafting and reporting skills ;
• Sound knowledge of African development issues and relevant computer applications ;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; dynamic, self-motivated, conscientious and discreet ;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.

Duration of the Assignment :

The duration of the proposed assignment is 6 months starting from January 2020.

Remuneration :

The consultant shall be paid a monthly lump sum.

Application Process :

All interested applicants must submit the following documents/information :

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for this assignment ;
• A detailed CV ;
• Copy or copies of sample past work or achievements.

Applications should be submitted to.

Ms. Bonita Freeman,

Administrative & Finance Officer

Office of The President

African Development Bank

06 Avenue Joseph Anoma

ABIDJAN, Cote d’Ivoire

E-mail :  b.freeman@afdb.org

Applicants who fully meet the Bank’s requirements and are considered for further assessment will be contacted. Applicants should submit a concise Curriculum Vitae (CV) and any additional documents that may be stated as required. The President of the African Development Bank reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level. The African Development Bank is an equal opportunities employer. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. http://www.afdb.org

The African Development Bank Group does not ask for payments of any kind from applicants throughout the recruitment process (job application, CV review, interview meeting, and final processing of applications). In addition, the Bank does not request information on applicants’ bank accounts. The African Development Bank Group declines all responsibility for the fraudulent publications of job offers in its name or, in general, for the fraudulent use of its name in any way whatsoever.