CARMMA COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVOCACY EXPERT

Closing date:	2/21/2012
Department:	SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Post Level	P3
Job Category	Social Sciences
Immdiate Supervisor	Director for Social Affairs
Duty Station	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT:CARMMA COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVOCACY EXPERT

The African Union Commission (AUC)supports its Member States and Regional Economic Communities, amongst others,to implement social development policies and programmes including those relatedto population and reproductive health, guided by the Maputo Plan of Action onSexual and Reproductive Health and the Africa Health Strategy. Improvement ofMaternal, Newborn and Child Health is among the AUC’s areas of work in aneffort to enable Africa attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

In May 2009, the AUlaunched the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa(CARMMA) whose main objective is to accelerate the availability and use ofuniversally accessible quality health services including those related tosexual and reproductive health. In order to enhance implementation of theCARMMA, the Department of Social Affairs of the AUC is recruiting aCommunications and Advocacy Expert.

1. POST:

Position: CARMMACOMMUNICATIONS AND ADVOCACY EXPERT

Grade: P3step 5

Duration: Eleven (11) month

SUPERVISOR: Director for Social Affairs

Department: Social Affairs Directorates

DutyStation: AddisAbaba, Ethiopia

2. JOB PURPOSE:

Under the supervision of the Directorfor Social Affairs and in close collaboration with the Head of Division forHealth, Population and Nutrition, the Communication and Advocacy expert willassist in communication and advocacy activities related to Maputo PoA andCARMMA. The expert will be expected to do the following;

· ImplementingCARMMA’s Communication and resource mobilisation strategy;

· Supportthe establishment of a coordination mechanism for activities and initiativesgeared towards maternal health and maternal mortality reduction in MemberStates;

· Assistingin maintaining and strengthening partnership at national, regional and globallevels;

· Establishan information center for CARMMA

· Establishand maintain communication channels with regional and continental media and aregularly update information centre (e.g. website or other) on progress;

· Ensureperiodic information-sharing on thestatus of maternal health in Africa, including promoting exchange of experienceand best practices;

· Develop Communication and Advocacy Materials forother Health Programmes of the Department

· Producequarterly progress reports and workplans

· Outlinea communication mechanism established with regional and continental media

· Producea final report on the impact of advocacy efforts for CARMMA

Carryout other related duties as may be assigned

3.MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Quarter1

· Detailed(costed) work plan for the implementation of the Communication strategy.

· CARMMAWeb portal (linked to AU Member States CARMMA programme).

· CARMMAMedia Network established

· QuarterlyE-bulletin on CARMMA.

· Compendiumof good practices in MNCH

· Detailed(costed) work plan for the implementation of the activities of the CARMMA week

· Communicationand Advocacy materials for the CARMMA campaign including CARMMA week

· Workplan for the next quarter

· Quarterlyprogress report

Quarter2

· CARMMASteering Committee established.

· Reportof the CARMMA week highlighting concrete results and follow up actions.

· Databaseof CARMMA CSO partners

· Commitmentfrom partners on additional resources for CARMMA

· QuarterlyE-bulletin on CARMMA

· Workplan for the next quarter

· Quarterlyprogress report.

Quarter3

· Strategydocument on coordination mechanism for CARMMA.

· QuarterlyE-bulletin on CARMMA.

· Conceptnote for an in-depth evaluation of the CARMMA Campaign.

· Commitmentfrom partners on additional resources for CARMMA.

· Workplan for the next quarter

· Quarterlyprogress report.

4. EXPECTED DELIVERABLE

· Quarterlyprogress reports.

· Annual report of Campaign.

· Quarterly E-bulletin on CARMMA.

· 12 months CARMMA work plan

5. EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

The successful candidate will have an Advanced(Master’s or higher) Degree in Communications, Journalism or related field anda demonstrated ability to advocate and communicate persuasively to a variety ofstakeholders and audiences.

6. PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

He/she will also have minimum of 8 years professional experience: (a) Solid backgroundin (knowledge and experience) in African development issues, particularly thoserelated to health; (b) Excellent and proven communications skills; (Excellentknowledge of English – good working knowledge of French would be an asset); (c)Good analytical and organizational skills; and (d) Good IT skills

7. AGEREQUIREMENT:

Candidatesmust preferably be between 25 and 40 years old.

8. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT:

Proficiency in at least one of theAfrican Union working languages (Arabic, English,French and Portuguese). Knowledge of other working languages would be an added advantage

9. TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

The appointment shall be for aninitial period of Eleven (11) months. It shall be renewable subject toperformance, deliverables and availability of funds.

10. GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

The AU Commission is an equalopportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

11. APPLICATION: Please apply and submit copies ofdegrees and diplomas via the AUC E-recruitment website http://www.aucareers.org

12. REMUNERATION:

The salary attached to the positionis an annual lump-sum of US$ 79,903.40inclusiveof all allowances for internationally recruited staff.

The salary attached to the positionis an annual lump-sum of US$ 68,299.81inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff.

Applications must be made through theAUC E-recruitment Website http://www.aucareers.org not later than21^th February 2012.