Communication Expert

The African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) aims to provide leadership in the development of animal resources for Africa. By supporting and empowering the African Union member states and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs). AU-IBAR's vision is of an Africa free from hunger and poverty in which animal resources make a significant contribution within the global arena. Founded in 1951 to study the epidemiological situation and fight rinderpest in Africa, AU-IBAR's mandate covers all aspects of animal resources, including livestock, fisheries and wildlife, across the entire African continent, but fills a unique and strategic niche by working at continental and regional levels, with the RECs being key partners.

For the implementation of the "Reinforcing of veterinary governance programme (VET-GOV)" and the Standard Methods and Procedures in Animal Health (SMP-AH) AU/IBAR seeks the services of a Communication expert.

The strategic goal of the VET-GOV programme is to bring about institutional strengthening of veterinary services towards: (i) Establishment of adequate veterinary services at the national level; (ii) Enhancement of the capacities of regional institutions to enable them to play their roles of coordination, harmonization, integration and support to member countries with the aim to stimulate a more conducive environment for public and private investments in the livestock sector.

The VET-GOV programme focuses on three areas:

• Generating proof and evidence on the potential of the sector and on the need for institutional reform, for purposes of advocacy with policymakers and stakeholders to increase investment in the sector;
• Developing capacities in the analysis and formulation of policies, strategies as well as action plans and related budgets, including the legislative framework required to bring about change;
• Developing capacities for the implementation of policies and strategies: to this effect, the program envisages supporting the adoption of policies and strategies to ensure the institutional internalization of new approaches.

The goal of the Standard Methods and Procedures in Animal health project (SMP-AH) is to contribute to the reduction of poverty, enhancement of regional economic growth and integration through improved access of live animal and animal products to regional and international markets. The project supports harmonisation and coordination of disease surveillance, prevention and control of trade-related TADs in the region through the following four areas:

• Developing a Framework for surveillance and control of trade-related animal diseases ;
• Supporting laboratory diagnostic capacity and harmonizing testing procedures for the priority diseases in the region;
• Improving regional quarantine station standards to enhance disease control and improve the animal health and welfare of exported animals;
• Enhancing technical and coordination capacity of participating countries.

Post

Job Title: COMMUNICATION EXPERT
Salary Grade: P3
Duty Station: Nairobi - Kenya
Supervisor: VET-GOV Programme Coordinator

This position is subjected to availability of funds.
The position is based at the head quarters of AU-IBAR with frequent travel to the Regional Economic Communities and their Member States.

Under the supervision of the Chief Animal health Officer and the overall supervision of the Director his/her main duties areas follows:
Implement the VET-GOV advocacy and communication strategy

1. Assess needs and develop capacities of communication personnel at countries and RECs levels.
2. Develop and implement an advocacy programme for 7 regional farmer organizations and 14 Value Chain Actors.
3. Develop and implement an advocacy programme for permanent secretaries, parliamentarians and national CAADP focal points.
4. Develop and animate a D-group / forum of all communication experts.
5. Develop and coordinate VET-GOV E-newsletter.
6. Develop a share point for VET-GOV.
7. Develop promotional materials (giveaway packs).
8. Provide technical support and capacity building to regional and national communication strategies and networks.
9. Participate in regional and inter-regional events and coordination as necessary.
10. Conduct knowledge, attitude and practice studies.
11. Support implementation of the SMP-AH communication strategy.
12. Prepare SMP-AH bulletins capturing the goal, purpose, activities, outcomes, impacts and the role of AU-IBAR, IGAD and USAID in livestock development.
13. Develop a story line for a two minutes clip on SMP-AH and prepare TOR for production of the Clip.
14. Develop materials for SMP-AH Home page including SMP-AH blog.
15. Develop content for the SMP-AH media Kit.
16. In consultation with CVOs of the participating countries develop a story line for 5 minutes radio spots to be run in popular radio stations in seven countries in the Greater Horn of Africa for 5 days.
17. Perform any other duties assigned by supervisors.

Qualifications

• A Masters University Degree in communications / development communication, journalist or a related field of work, or a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience.

Experience

• 8 years of experience in advocacy and communication with at least 3 years at international level.

Skills and competencies

• Proven experience in public or animal health communication.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the web and social media.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
• Good networker with the ability to maintain a positive and fruitful dialogue and relationship with the main institutions operating on the Continent.
• Excellent communication skills.

Language Requirement

Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages. Knowledge of one or several 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 one (1) 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.

Remuneration

The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$83,070.00 inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 70,613.43 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 20 January 2014.

Directorate of Administration and Human Resource Management
African Union Commission
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)