The African Union,
established as a unique Pan African continental 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 as well as developing a New Partnership Worldwide.
Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.
In seeking to achieve the
above objectives, the African Union seeks to fill the vacant position of the
Climate Change and Desertification Unit in the Directorate of Rural Economy and
Agriculture to strengthen its capacity to deliver by, among others, the
implementation of a new organizational structure and the filling of all vacant
posts.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Climate change is having
adverse effects in Africa ranging from declining water resources, reduced
agricultural productivity, spread of vector-borne diseases to new areas, drop
in fish population and increased flooding and heavier rainfall among others. Climate variability lies behind much prevailing poverty,
food insecurity, and weak economic growth in
Africa. The official goals of the climate change convention
“are to stabilize the amount
of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level that prevents dangerous
man-made climate changes. Climate Change and Development was the sub – theme of
the January 2007 Summit held in Addis Ababa. Following the Summit
deliberations, the Commission became increasingly involved in the global
climate change talks and negotiations considering the vital stakes Africa has
in these dialogues; the Commission continues to steer efforts of AU Member
States and Regional Economic Communities as well as other stakeholders in
dealing with multiple challenges including climate change by engaging both
regional and global partners in promoting and defending the continent’s
interest.
A landmark Summit Decision
was adopted in January 2009, which mandated the AU Commission among other
things to facilitate the building of a common Africa Position in preparations
for the Fifteenth Conference of Parties (COP15) in Denmark, Copenhagen in
December 2009. Subsequently, the July 2009 Summit in Sirte, Libya adopted the
recommendation of the decision of thee Executive Committee EX.CL/Dec.500 (XV)
Rev. 1 on the establishment of the Climate Change and Desertification Control
Unit in the Directorate of Rural Economy and Agriculture.
1.
Post
Post title: Communication/Liaison Officer
on Climate Change
and Desertification Control
Post level: P2
Duty Station: AUC Headquarters,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Specifically, the Job
holder shall perform the following tasks:
·
Assist in preparation of media and
communication reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of
the Unit, in consultation with the Coordinator of the Unit;
·
Assist the Head of Division in liaising and
interrelationships between the division and its partners including Regional
Economic Commissions and other stakeholders in the issues of Climate Change and
Desertification and transmit all relevant information
·
Promote and support the media and effective
communication of African common positions on climate change and desertification
control to the Media and Public at large;
·
Support the Climate Change and
Desertification unit to comply with planning, monitoring, evaluation and
reporting requirements including inter-alia assisting in the preparation of
reports, budget and work programme related to the functioning of the unit;
·
Liaises with Member States, RECs, and
relevant Stakeholders including International Organizations, Development
Partners on media and communication issues of climate change and
desertification control;
·
Assist in the media and communication of
various efforts on climate change and desertification of the AU Communication
by ensuring linkages and synergies with complementarities of different
initiatives, sectors and collaborations;
·
Ensure the effective media and communication
of a Resource Mobilization Strategy with donor coordination for Climate Change
and Desertification Control Programmes;
·
Ensure networking and facilitation of peer
reviews, information sharing and exchange;
·
Promote effective media and communication
outcomes of studies and researches on local indigenized technologies on
mitigation and adaptation measures to climate change in Africa including
raising awareness for increased participation of Africa Member States in global
carbon market as
·
Ensure better media and communication
coverage for the African Group in meetings of Regional and United Nations
conventions relating to climate change and desertification control;
·
Promote media publication of simplified
guidelines and fact sheets on the scientific, political and economic aspects of
climate change on Africa.
·
Support
media publication of the periodic reports of activities of the Unit;
·
Assist in organizing and servicing workshops,
meetings, conferences, seminars on climate change and desertification control
etc.;
·
Assist in the production and submission of
periodic reports on activities and all missions;
·
Support the Commission in its media and
communication efforts of global climate change talks and negotiations; and
·
Undertake any other duties assigned on media
and communication of call activities of the Climate Change and Desertification
Control Unit.
3.
Educational Qualifications:
·
Candidates must have at least Post-graduate
(Masters) degree or equivalent in Media and Communication; Public Relations
Public administration or related field
·
A qualification in communication or media
coverage of project management and negotiation skills (recognised diploma or
certificate) would be an added advantage.
4.
Work Experience:
·
Candidates must have at least eight (5) years
of appropriate experience in media and communication of Environmental or
Natural Sciences Programmes (i.e. Climate Change and Desertification, Water
Resources Management, Forestry, Land Degradation) and/ or equivalent
discipline.
·
Knowledge of the regional and global climate
change, desertification and disaster risk reduction processes is an asset with
a track record of media coverage in diplomatic negotiations.
·
Familiarity with international and regional
policy processes related to climate change and desertification.
·
Strong experience in public sector with
related experience dealing with private sector and civil society bodies.
·
Computer
literacy.
·
Working knowledge of policy analysis and
development and programme /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.
·
Excellent
drafting and reporting skills.
·
Good
planning and organizational skills.
·
Conscientious
and efficient in observing deadlines and achieving results.
·
Takes
accountability for goals and challenges.
·
Effective and distinct communication ability
with excellent written and verbal communications skills.
·
Ability to defend, explain with tact and
diplomacy difficult positions addressing key policy issues.
·
Ability to work under pressure and collaboratively
with and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with
colleagues of different nationalities and culture backgrounds, in order to
achieve organizational goals
·
Track record of excellent time management and
ability to meet tight deadlines.
6. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT:
Proficiency in one of the African Union working
languages. Knowledge of one or several other working languages would be an
added advantage.
7. AGE
REQUIREMENT:
Candidates must
preferably be between 25 and 35 years old.
8. TENURE OF
APPOINTMENT:
The appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for
a period of two (2) years, of which the first twelve months will be considered
as a probationary period.
Thereafter,
the contract will be for a annually subject to satisfactory performance and
fund availability.
9.
REMUNERATION: The
salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 72,033.93
inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and
US$
60,430.34 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff
Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment
Website http://www.aucareers.org
not later than 1st July 2013.
Directorate of Administration and
Human Resource Management
African Union Commission
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
COMMUNICATION/LIAISON OFFICER, CLIMATE CHANGE AND DESERTIFICATION CONTROL
Reviewed by Unknown
on
7:50:00 AM
Rating: