Female candidates from ECOWAS Member States are particularly encouraged to apply.
Candidate must be a citizen of ECOWAS Member State.Expected duration: 11 work months
| Vacancy Announcement No: | VA-2011/L003 | Date of Issuance: | 18 March 2011 |
| Post Title and Level: | Communication and Knowledge Management Officer, | ||
| Duty Station: | Praia, Cape Verde, with travel as appropriate | ||
| Organizational Unit: | Renewable and Rural Energy Unit Energy and Climate Change Branch PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION DIVISION | ||
| Expected entry on duty: | April 2011 | ||
| Indicative Minimum Net Annual Remuneration: (including post adjustment at single rate for current month) | |||
| Type of Appointment: | Special Service Agreement | ||
| Deadline for the receipt of applications: | 17 April 2011 | ||
Organizational Context
The Secretariat of the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) was established in November 2009 in Praia, Cape Verde by the ECOWAS Commission with support of the Governments of Austria, Cape Verde and Spain, and the technical assistance of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The official inauguration of the Centre and the first Executive Board meeting of ECREEE were held on 6th July 2010 in Praia, Cape Verde. The event marked the completion of the preparatory phase, the signing of the headquarters agreement and the official launch of the operational phase of ECREEE. ECREEE has established a network of National Focal Institutions (NFIs) covering all ECOWAS countries.
The Vision of ECREEE is to contribute to the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of West Africa by improving access to modern, reliable and affordable energy services, energy security and reduction of energy related GHG emissions and climate change impacts on the energy systems. The specific objective of ECREEE is to create favourable framework conditions and an enabling environment for renewable energy and energy efficiency markets by supporting activities directed to mitigate existing barriers.
ECREEE aims at the establishment of regional renewable energy and energy efficiency markets by supporting various activities to mitigate existing barriers on different levels and sectors. The ECREEE activities include policy development and quality assurance, capacity development, the design and application of tailored financing mechanisms, awareness raising and the implementation of demonstration and investment projects and programmes with potential for regional scaling-up. Most of the activities are implemented by the ECREEE-SEC in cooperation with its National Focal Institutions (NFIs) in all ECOWAS countries. Further information on ECREEE is available at: www.ecreee.org.
The operating environment in ECREEE is dynamic, participative and interactive, dealing with public relations, longer-term knowledge management and capacity development programs and projects, awareness raising campaigns, as well as communications on issues of West African and global importance.
Main Functions
Under the supervision of the Executive Director and the project Manager in UNIDO and working in close collaboration with other experts at ECREEE, the Communication and Knowledge Management and Capacity Development Officer will undertake the following key activities:
- Serve as the principal focal point for all matters related to communication between ECREEE and its network of partners;
- Serve as the focal point of all activities related to knowledge management and capacity building in ECREEE;
- Ensure sustainable communication and knowledge management activities are integrated throughout ECREEE's programmes and projects;
- Develop and implement ECREEE's policies and strategies on communication, knowledge management and capacity building;
- Develop, mobilise funding and implement programs and projects in the areas of knowledge management, awareness raising and capacity development in line with ECREEE's vision and mandate.
Specific tasks will include, but may not be limited to, the following areas:
Responsibility Area 1: Communication, Public Relations and Outreach
- Establish ECREEE's communication and knowledge management team;
- Coordinate media activities with the ECOWAS Commission's Communications Department;
- Develop, implement and monitor communication and public relations policies and strategies of ECREEE;
- Ensure effective communication among the ECREEE Secretariat, the National Focal Institutions (NFIs) and other important partners and stakeholders in the ECOWAS region and at international level;
- Ensure the visibility of ECREEE and acknowledgement of its policy positions and activities in regional and international policy processes and debates (e.g. climate change debate, UN Energy, Africa-EU Energy Partnership, GEF, World Bank forums);
- Regularly Monitor the media coverage on ECREEE and relevant RE&EE news and maintain the media and photo archive of ECREEE;
- Contribute to accurate, balanced and objective reporting about ECREEE and its activities by organizing pro-active interviews, press briefings, awareness campaigns and other outreach activities; ensure public relations and information at workshops and conferences organized by ECREEE expert staff;
- Handle incoming day-to-day information requests relating to ECREEE and renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) issues; work closely with the ECREEE expert staff and the National Focal Institutions (NFIs) to obtain clear guidance, check facts and to draft talking points and opinion pieces etc;
- Generate news stories, press releases and media advisories that positively highlight ECREEE activities and at the same time increase knowledge and understanding on RE&EE issues; facilitate the publication of ECREEE interviews and articles in RE&EE expert magazines;
- Establish and maintain an effective communication network with print and audiovisual media in the ECOWAS region to with a view to promote ECREEE's activities;
- Assume responsibility for regularly updating the trilingual ECREEE website in cooperation with the IT Officer and the translators;
- Update and ensure quality of the trilingual ECREEE information materials (e.g. video, newsletter, brochures, calendars, annual work plans and status reports); take lead in the elaboration and dissemination of the regular ECREEE newsletters;
- Establish internal guidelines and a internal communication policy to ensure effective communication within ECREEE and visibility of ECREEE and its programs and projects; establish a collection of templates (e.g. presentations, logos) to ensure the corporate identity of the Centre; ensure visibility of the ECREEE donor partners;
- Upon request, prepare speeches and presentations for the Executive Director in cooperation with the ECREEE expert staff.
Responsibility Area 2: Knowledge Management and Capacity Development:
- Establish guidelines and procedures for the internal knowledge management of the ECREEE Secretariat and organize the internal RE&EE library in cooperation with the IT officer;
- Provide inputs for the annual work plans of ECREEE and ensure the achievement of the long-term objectives and indicators in the result areas knowledge management and capacity development as defined in the ECREEE Business Plan;
- Foster ECREEE partnerships with various partners and organizations in the ECOWAS region and on international levels (e.g. UN, IRENA, World Bank). Promote RE&EE knowledge sharing, capitalization of experiences and communities of practice;
- Develop and execute ECREEE flag-ship programs and project in the areas of RE&EE knowledge management, awareness creation and capacity development and raise funding for these activities; ensure effective project cycle management, quality assurance and take responsibility for complex tender processes;
- Take lead in the planning and execution of the ECREEE Regional Knowledge Management Strategy and the establishment and maintenance of the ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Observatory;
- Take lead in the planning and execution of the RE&EE Training and Capacity Needs Assessment and the ECOWAS Regional Capacity Development Strategy;
- Assist the ECREEE expert team by integrating knowledge management and capacity development components in RE&EE programs and projects (e.g. Small Hydro Power, Wind, Bioenergy and Solar Programmes);
- Initiate national and regional awareness raising and advocacy campaigns on RE&EE issues and develop and disseminate RE&EE knowledge management products; develop an argumentation on the potentials, benefits and opportunities of RE&EE solutions in relation to conventional energy solutions;
- Prepare training and capacity development materials and tools and organize tailored trainings for various target groups in cooperation with the ECREEE expert staff.
Required Competencies
- Outstanding communication, presentation, networking and journalistic writing skills.
- Proven track record of developed and executed campaigns, public relation and outreach activities; experience in dealing with renewable energy, energy efficiency or environmental issues is an asset.
- Proven track record regarding project cycle management of programs and projects in the area of knowledge management and/or capacity development.
- Proven track record of the usage of computers, office software packages and one or several design software (such as Adobe Creative, Suite, Joomla, Spip or Dreamweaver, etc.); experience with enterprise content management systems and web based content management systems desirable.
- Ability to work both independently and in a team with the ability to sensitize, coordinate and motivate the team members.
- Ability to work under pressure and handle politically and culturally sensitive issues.
Minimum Requirements
Education: An advanced university degree in the field of communications, journalism, knowledge management, capacity development or international relations.
Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience as journalist or public relation and/or knowledge management officer including at least 2 years international work experience.
Languages: Fluent in two of three official ECOWAS languages: French, English and Portuguese.
Candidate must be a citizen of an ECOWAS Member State.
This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectancy of renewal.
All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System
Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process.
Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply:
www.unido.org/employment/howtoapply
Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fees, please contact: recruitment@unido.org
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