Communications Officer (AU-IBAR)

AU Values

• Respect for Diversity and Team Work • Think Africa Above all

• Transparency and Accountability • Integrity and Impartiality

• Efficiency and Professionalism • Information and Knowledge Sharing

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Organization Information

Reports to: PPR Program Officer

Directorate/Department/Organ: DARBE

Division: AU-IBAR

Number of Direct Reports: 0

Number of Indirect Reports: 0

Job Grade: P2

Number of Positions:1

Contract Type:Fixed Term

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Purpose of Job

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), a specialized technical office of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) of the African Union Commission, is mandated to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and wildlife as resources for both human wellbeing and economic development in the Member States of the African Union. The Vision of the AU-IBAR Strategic Plan 2024-2028 is an Africa in which animal resources contribute significantly to integration, prosperity and peace. Within the framework of the African Union Agenda 2063, the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LiDeSA)environed an inclusive and sustainable livestock economy that significantly contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth.

Small ruminants constitute an important part of the African livestock and represent a key element in food and nutrition security on the continent. Small ruminants are well adapted to the different agro-ecological zones and production systems in which they are reared. Farming small ruminants provide a safety net for women and youth who are vulnerable to socio-economic shocks and disturbances.

Production, productivity, circulation, trade and marketing of sheep and goats in Sub-Saharan Africa are constrained by the presence of high impact transboundary animal diseases. Among those, Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) a viral disease affecting only small ruminants and their wild relatives, is the most sensitive one because of its contagiousness and the fatality rate observed.

Main Functions

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Animal Health Officer and the overall oversight of the Director of AU-IBAR. He/she shall perform the following tasks:

• Provide strong guidance on the communication activities associated with the PPR Programmeincluding coordination, advocacy and communication strategies, planning and implementation.

• Work closely with the knowledge management officer, information system officer, the Webmaster and Projects and Programmes Unit (PPU) to develop and/or update and monitor implementation of the institution and individual project communication strategies, based on the AU-IBAR strategic plan and project plans, respectively.

• Provide advocacy, communication and social mobilization support to AU-IBAR programme and PPR programme activities.

• Promote information sharing and communication and assure maximum visibility of AU-IBAR

• Work with project coordinators to package information that promotes AU-IBAR achievements and meets stakeholder needs through the PPR Programme.

• Guide programme activities needing communication support and proactively seek out achievement and disseminate such in the best communication approach.

• Establish strong linkages with relevant Media/News/Communication outlets, organizations and institutions to enhance AU-IBAR Communication activities and promote learning.

Specific Responsibilities

Oversee the PPR communication program and provide advice and guidance on communication and change plans for projects;,

• Prepare media briefings and engagements, manage AU-IBAR’s communication with various target audiences, handle social media platforms and liaise with print, electronic and online media.

• Develop and roll-out mechanisms for the broad dissemination of AU-IBAR achievements and outputs.

• Contribute to content curation and update of the Animal Resources Online Repository and Knowledge Sharing platform, and PPR Programme Microsite.

• Contribute to promoting collaborative tools that facilitate sharing of ideas, information and knowledge such as the the media online platform on the AU-IBAR Knowledge Sharing platform.

• Develop and maintain Media relationships between AU-IBAR and relevant media organizations, journalists and science communicators at continental, regional and national levels,

• Draft materials, social media posts and newsletters for publication; and liaise with relevant stakeholders to ensure effective communication for project activities; particularly animal disease control programmes such as PPR and other TADs.Facilitate the usage of communication platforms and tools through regular monitoring of use and conducting training activities for various internal and external stakeholders.

• Work closely with Senior Knowledge Management Officer to capture and document information and knowledge on animal resources in Africa, such as the reporting of lessons learned and best practices and success stories,

• Develop communication materials, newsletters, and key messages and manage their dissemination widely among AU-IBAR’S target groups through a wide array of online platforms, social media channels, multimedia productions, knowledge fairs and exhibitions, radio, television and media networks.

• Work closely with the Webmaster and the Senior Knowledge Management Officer to maintain and improve the various information and communication portals and tools.

• Support AU Member States in advancing good communication practices to enhance the visibility of animal resources development activities across the continent.

• Prepare and distribute content for the promotion of AU-IBAR products, brand or activities.

• Promote the visibility of project donors and implementing partners on various communication outputs and platforms by working closely with the graphics designer.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

The incumbent should have a

• Bachelor’s degree in Development or Mass Communication, or other related field.

• At least 5 years of progressive experience in areas of communication preferably within a regional, continental and/or International organization; of which 2 years to be at supervisory level

Or

• A Master’s degree in in communications or associated qualification with 2 years’ progressive experience within an International or continental organization; of which 2 years to be at supervisory level

Required Skills

Experience in Development communication activities, media relation, advocacy management, organization of focus groups, public communication and social mobilization.

• Familiarity with development Communication and change management programmes.

• Experience in developing and delivering Communication programmes and packages with and for different stakeholders and partner organisations

• Proficiency in using digital communication tools and platforms, including social media management, content creation, and scheduling tools.

• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS) and website maintenance to enhance visibility and accessibility of information.

• Experience in the animal resources sector would be an added advantage

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages is required, fluency in another AU language and or English in particular is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies

Developing Others

Flexibility

Risk Awareness and Compliance

Core Competencies

Teamwork and Collaboration

Accountability awareness and Compliance

.Learning Orientation

Communicating Clearly

Functional Competencies

Trouble shooting

Job Knowledge and information sharing

Task Focused

Continuous Improvement Awareness

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TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables.

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

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

LANGUAGES:

Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

REMUNERATION:

The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 85,212.07 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 66,751.81 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Applications must be submitted no later than October 22, 2025 11h59 p.m. EAT.

-Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.

-Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas (Bac+2), Bachelor's degrees (Bac+3), Master's degrees (Bac+5) and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.

-The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

-Candidates from least represented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles. These countries include: Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Sahrawi D.R., Sao Tome and Principe., Seychelles, and Somalia.