Avis de recrutement d’un consultant éditeur/rédacteur pour la production de contenu français, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

for Editor/Writer Consultant for French Content Production

Avenue Jean-Paul II Immeuble CCIA 01 B.P 1387

Abidjan 01 Côte d’Ivoire

Assignment Title : Editor/Writer Consultant for French Content Production

Brief Description of the Assignment : The consultant will assist the Editorial team of the African Development Bank’s Communication and External Relations Department in editing, and translating texts, press releases and other documents from English to French. They will check translated documents and ensure that the translated pieces are written in journalistic style. The objective will be to ensure that all material produced for external facing audiences are jargon free and easy to understand.

Department issuing the request : Communication and External Relations Department.

Place of assignment : Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Duration of the assignment : Twelve (12) months

Date of commencement : 1 March 2022

Deadline for applications : 18 February 2022

How to submit applications :

Click here

Questions and requests for clarification may be sent to : m.thouraya@afdb.org

Terms of Reference

Recruitment of an Editor/Writer for French Content Production

Background :

The African Development Bank (“the Bank”) is Africa’s premier multilateral development finance institution. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development and social progress of its

regional member countries, mobilize resources for the financing of development projects, and promote economic integration on the African continent.

The African Development Bank has 54 African member countries and 25 non-regional member countries. It has established ties with an extensive network of international development partners and enjoys an excellent reputation on the capital markets. Over the last 10 years, the Bank has grown in size and impact, and modernized its operations to improve efficiency and value for money.

The Bank’s work revolves around five key priorities, which it refers to as its High 5s.

These priority areas are the following :

1. Light Up and Power Africa: power, energy, environment and green growth ;
2. Feed Africa: agro-industry, agricultural finance and rural development ;
3. Industrialise Africa: private and financial sectors, infrastructure, urban, industrial and trade development ;
4. Integrate Africa: regional development, integration and impactful delivery ;
5. Improve the quality of life for Africans: human capital and skills development, health, nutrition, water and sanitation.

To raise awareness of its mandate, seek adherence to its initiatives and increase accountability, the Bank produces various communication materials and content targeting multiple stakeholders. This communication is produced daily and includes but is not limited to written content on programs and projects of the institution, press releases, news articles, and success stories. Most of this information is primarily produced in English, and to a significant extent in French.

While English and French are technically the two official working languages of the African Development Bank, much if not most of this material tends to be produced in English and reproduced in the other official working language of the Bank (French), with a slight lag time for translation. To expand dissemination of African Development Bank Group information and to reach out to local communities in languages they can understand, the Communication and External Relations Department (PCER) has embarked on an effort to increase content production in other languages than English at source.

A survey of the language demographic across Africa revealed the following numbers:

• French speakers (115 million ) ;

• Portuguese speakers (40 million) ;

• Arabic speakers (150 million).

In addition to these numbers, PCER is considering piloting content production in some major

African languages. These ar e :

• West African Pidgin English (75 million speakers) ;

• Swahili (150 million speakers) ;

• Hausa (63 million speakers) ;

• Amharic (20 million speakers).

Within this context, PCER intends to recruit a French-speaking editor/writer as an individual consultant. His or her tasks will include systematically translating content initially produced in English, in addition to generating fresh content in French.

Duties and responsibilities :

The consultant will be expected to produce content in French, as well as translate, edit, copyedit and proofread the following: Opinion pieces (op-eds), media advisories, press releases, reports, brochures, web articles, briefs, features, blogs, film scripts, speeches, newsletters and publications of up to 10 pages, as well as event notices and briefs, consistent with African Development Bank style

The consultant will also provide editorial coverage in French to African Development Bank events pertaining to projects, programs, initiatives, and success stories from other organizational units of the Bank. These will ideally be for posting to the Bank’s external website.

The consultant will also be requested to check the accuracy of translated pieces from English into French, and make sure translated pieces are written in journalistic style.

The selected individual consultant is expected to provide high-quality output, within tight deadlines.

Duration of the Assignment :

The Consultant shall provide the required services for twelve (12) months, commencing on the 1st of March 2022 and ending on the 28th of February 2023, unless his or her contract is terminated earlier by either the Bank or the Consultant, as per the terms and conditions. All obligations will be fulfilled during this period unless otherwise stated.

During the period of the Covid-19 work-from-home program, the consultant will work from home with regular contact with his or her supervisor and the team as necessary.

Reporting line : The consultant will report to the Division Manager, PCER1 (Editorial and Media Relations), of the Communication and External Relations Department.

Qualifications and Experience :

The assignment will ideally be undertaken by an individual consultant who meets the following criteria :

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communication, International Relations, or a related field ;
• A national of an African Development Bank member country ;
• Must have over 10 years of experience as a writer, reporter, journalist and communication expert, with at least three years of professional experience as an editor for a recognized digital or print publication or website, or in private consulting capacity. Experience in the fields of finance, economics, agriculture or human development would be particularly welcome ;
• Excellent ability to write and communicate flawlessly in French with a very good command of English ;
• Excellent ability to check the accuracy of translated pieces versus the original language and to improve language and style ;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and working experience within multicultural teams and international organizations or companies ;
• Knowledge of Africa and development issues ;
• Ability to solve problems, undertake relevant research and analysis, and fact-checking ;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment ;
• A team player and self-starter with a can-do attitude ;
• Proficiency in standard software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, as well as knowledge of best practices in social media.

Establishment of the Shortlist :

A shortlist of three to six individual consultants will be established at the end of the stipulated period of request for expressions of interest. Consultants on the shortlist will be assessed based on the following criteria and based on their updated résumé:

Selection process

The shortlisted candidates will then be evaluated based on a live written test (camera on) aimed at checking the accuracy of their work and their journalistic writing skills, under the following criteria:

To express your interest, please submit your cover letter and an updated curriculum-vitae.

Please use this template for naming your files:

• [Your Last Name] _ [Your First Name] _CV

• [Your Last Name] _ [Your First Name] _Cover-Letter

• [Your Last Name] _ [Your First Name] _Samples

To facilitate our candidate assessment process, please attach an updated curriculum vitae based on the template below. This does not prevent you from submitting another version of your CV in the format / layout of your choice, under cover of a strong cover letter, where are free to make a case for your candidacy.

MODEL CURRICULUM VITAE – AFDB BAD PDF