Technical Officer for Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) at African Union (AU)

Major Duties and Responsibilities

The Technical Officer for Risk Communication and Communication Engagement shall:

• Support implementation of the communications and advocacy strategy for preparedness and response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and the vaccine roll-out programme
• Support the development/production of communication and advocacy materials and activities for COVID-19 vaccine, including health promotion events, awareness-raising campaigns, briefing materials, factsheets, and branding
• Support the design and timely dissemination of information materials on COVID-19 vaccine to internal and external audiences
• Contribute to the creation and use of content to provide information to the public through the digital platforms, including the website and social media platforms
• Support the development of culturally appropriate and acceptable messages for risk communication and advocacy on COVID-19 vaccine roll-out
• Write press releases, note to editors, as well as any briefings to be disseminated to the public through the media
• Support the preparation of different materials for the media, such as press releases, opeds, as well as regular media briefings, interviews and interactions on COVID-19 vaccine roll-out programme
• Support capacity building in risk communication for African Union Member States on COVID-19 and other disease emergencies
• Represent Africa CDC in a professional manner, which creates a positive image and enhances the credibility of the organisation
• Perform any other COVID-19 vaccination related activities as requested by the Senior Communication Officer

Qualifications and Skills required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications, Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising or related fields and a minimum of 5 years of relevant work Managerial experience is an added advantage.

Or

• Master’s Degree in Mass Communications, Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising or related fields and a minimum of 2 years relevant work Managerial experience would be an added advantage

Functional skills

• Proven work experience in supporting or managing strategic and health communications at the national and international levels, preferably in the development sector
• Proficiency in the use of relevant software for design, analysis and word processing
• Ability to use modern digital communication technologies to reach different groups of audiences
• Knowledge and experience of content creation for social media and other digital platforms.
• Understanding and ability to apply modern marketing, public relations and media concepts and principles to the communication of public health emergencies
• Experience in developing audio-visual content for advertising, promotional and publication purposes
• Proven experience in developing key messages on public health emergencies and disease outbreaks
• Experience in developing and implementing communication strategies for national government or public sector, regional or international government or non-governmental organisations, multinational organisations, advertising agencies or leading media companies will be a distinct advantage
• Demonstrated ability with regard to computer skills, including excellent word- processing capabilities, proficiency with e-mail and internet applications, experience in using office software such as MS Power Point, Word and Excel.