COMMUNICATION/LIAISON OFFICER, CLIMATE CHANGE AND DESERTIFICATION CONTROL

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

2. Major duties and responsibilities 

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 well as foster collaboration among Member States to combat drought and desertification;
• 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. 

5. Other relevant skills 

• 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.

To Apply:

Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website http://www.aucareers.org not later than 1st July 2013.