Director of Communication

Closing date:                     08/11/2015
Post Level                           D1
Immediate Supervisor     The Chairperson, African Union Commission
Duty Station                           Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 
The African Union, established as the Continent’s apex representative body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States.

Headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the AU is also forging new partnerships worldwide.

In seeking to achieve these objectives, the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver, by amongst others, the implementation of its organizational structure and the filling of all vacant posts.

The Commission of the African Union invites applications from nationals of its Member States for the position OF DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION in the Bureau of the Chairperson.

Candidates from the following least represented countries are encouraged to apply: Eretria, Central AfricanRepublic, Cape Verde, Comoros, Congo (DRC), Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea,Liberia, Mauritania, Namibia, Sahrawi Arab Republic, Sao Tome and Principe,Seychelles and Somalia.

Job purpose:

• To oversee information and communication strategy and activities for the African Union Commission to promote information gathering and dissemination through use of new communication and technology to promote the integration of the African Union and the image of the organization.
  
• The Director of Communication is also responsible for formulation and implementation of the substantive work program of the Department of Communication and Information and ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion.
• The incumbent is also responsible for work co-ordination between the Department and other AU Commission departments, and with other organisations in the broader AU system.
  

Major duties and responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of H.E. the Chairperson, the responsibilities and duties of the incumbent shall include the following:

• Serve as the Spokesperson for the Commission and focal point for popularization and mobilization of African citizens in support of AU activities;
  
• Build and promote a good image of the African Union in alignment to the agenda 2063;
  
• Spearhead advocacy and public campaigns continent-wide in favor of the AU’s vision, mission and strategic plan and for the purpose of popularizing the African Union within Africa and in the world;
  
• Prepare the programs and defend the Budget of the Directorate;
  
• Develop a common African Communication strategy, tools and delivery systems;
  
• Draft speeches and position papers particularly on communication related issues;
  
• Set up a modernized communication infrastructure and equipment within the Commission to manage public information and coordinate editing of AU publications.
  
• Establish the link with Ministries of Information, Communication and
• Broadcasting of AU Member States to promote the work of organization across the continent.
  
• Negotiate with multi-media houses and research institutions in Africa and the Diaspora for mutual information sharing and exchange, first between the Commission and Member States, and second, with the Regional organizations and the Diaspora;
  
• Coordinate the implementation of the decisions of the meetings of the African Ministers of Information and Communication of Member States and liaison with focal points in the Ministries of Information and with the RECs;
  Provide editorial advice, statements and replies to frequently asked questions for Senior Management;
  
• To engage in public lectures and campaigns for purposes of creating a good image of the African Union, among other things;
  
• Ensure organization of yearly competition in schools and colleges on the theme of African integration;
  
• Ensure set up of  the African Union’s Souvenir Shop;
  
• Ensure the establishment of a network of TV and Radio programs across the continent on the integration process of the African Union;
  
• To set up workshops and seminars on African integration;
  
• To establish a network of AU Newspapers and magazines across the continent;
  
• Ensure the establishment of African Union Radio, a TV Station and a Newspaper.
  
• Any other related duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.
  

Required Skills and Competencies:
Functional Skills

• Excellent communication skills 
  
• Writing and presentation skills
  
• Technology awareness: Computer and other ICT equipment
  
• Customer relations skills
  
• Strategic thinking
  
• Excellent drafting and reporting skills;
  
• Good planning and organizational skills
  

Personal Abilities

• Negotiation and communication skills, uses tact and political savvy in negotiating
  
• Utilizes strong analytical and problem solving skills
  
• Respect for Diversity
  
• Makes informed decisions and communicates decisions effectively
  
• Flexibility and willingness to collaborate with others to achieve outcomes
  
• Engages in effective delegation and follow up to ensure results\
  
• Excellent drafting and reporting skills;
  
• Good planning and organizational skills
  
• Interpersonal skills
  
• Delegation skills
  
• Builds trust through integrity, transparency and creating an open and positive environment.
  

Knowledge and understanding

• Working knowledge of policy analysis and development and program/project management,implementation and monitoring;
  
• Management experience, excellent interpersonal skills and ability to organize and motivate others and to work in a multi-cultural environment;
  
• Identifies key strategic issues,opportunities and risks.
  
• Clearly communicate links between the organization's strategy and the Directorate’s goals.
  
• Establish/identify and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction.
  
• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships
  
• Discusses performance and provide feedback and appraise performance fairly.
  

Educational Qualifications and work experience:

• A minimum of Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, public relations and advertising, business or public administration, social sciences or related area.
• A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  
• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in public information, communications and journalism or related field, including 5 years at the international level is required.
• Experience in human resources management, administration and budget preparation is required.
  
• Experience of managing large teams is required.
  
• Experience relating to the administrative and financial rules and regulations of an international organization is desirable
  

Language requirement

Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (English,French, Arabic and Portuguese) is a must. Knowledge of second or all of the other working languages would be an added advantage.

Tenure of Appointment

The appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve (12) months will be considered as probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be fora 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.

Remuneration

Indicative basic salary of US $73,646.00 per annum (D1 Step1) plus other related entitlements e.g. Post Adjustment (46% of basic salary), Housing allowance ($16,819.20 per annum), education allowance (75% of tuition and other education related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$7,800.00 per child per annum for internationally recruited staff and other allowances in accordance to the African Union Staff Regulations and Rules governing the employment of International Civil Servants of the Union.

Application

Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website   http://www.aucareers.org not later than 7th November 2015