Communications Officer at Pan African Climate Justice Alliance

A. POSITION DESCRIPTION

Communication for the Consortium is key in sharing best practices internally across the Project countries and externally with partners within and beyond the continent. To this effect, the Consortium strives to build staff and partners’ communication capacities to strengthen the impact of the AACJ Project. The Consortium incorporates a variety of approaches to its communication work and working with a variety of internal stakeholders (consortium members, country offices, local partners, movements) and external audiences on and off line.

A key focus of the Consortium’s communication is targeted advocacy; in essence, the Consortium believes that advocacy means communicating to convince people to change. This means that advocacy must persuade people that there is a problem, it can be solved, and they, themselves, should take action in a big way to contribute to the solution.

The Communications Officer will be responsible for fostering a robust internal and external communication strategy for AACJ Project’s. S/he will collaborate extensively with the PMU Staff, PACJA Communications Department, the Consortium Communications teams, Project staff in the Project countries, implementing partners and stakeholders within the continent and beyond.

B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategy: Foster a robust communication strategy for AACJ project impact and added value underpinning its advocacy work
  • Lead the development of AACJ project’s internal and external communication strategy and coordinate its implementation; story gathering to inform future communication directions in the project;
  • Contribute expertise in media and online engagement and public outreach to AACJ overall plan;
  • Stay abreast of developments of communications tools and methodologies and recommend how best the Consortium can improve internal and external communications;
  • Work closely with communication staff from the PACJA and Consortium members to effectively deliver the strategy
• 2. Advocacy: Enhance the efficiency of people-centered advocacy campaigns and help increase public awareness of the issues and the mandate of the AACJ project
  • In collaboration with the PMU technical staff, ensure learnings and results of the project are communicated to relevant stakeholders
  • Together with consortium partners contribute to approaches and communication products that support to raise public awareness and positively influence public opinion around thematic issues the project is aiming to deliver;
  • Develop relevant and innovative communication streams, including podcasts and videos and online/social media approaches. in order to disseminate the results of the project.
  • Coordinate public and targeted outreach and profiling of the project at local, national, continental and global events, including workshops, rallies, conferences, e-forums.
  • Respond, to public inquiries about the AACJ Consortium and Project, received by phone, twitter/social media, email, or letter.
• 3. Media Visibility: Get AACJ Project messages across on media such as newspapers, magazines, radio or television, and social media
  • Develop a communications and media strategy for the Consortium, including on online and offline media and story gathering
  • Ensure that AACJ responds to all media inquiries in a timely and accurate fashion
  • Ensure that journalists are briefed as required and draft reactive statements and letters to editors
  • Organize press conferences as required & ensure training to key stakeholders in the AACJ-consortium as official spokes persons.
  • Produce media briefings for press conferences and events as required
  • Coordinate the arrangement of media interviews for AACJ Project staff, Alliance members and draft briefings for them when appropriate
  • Ensure that all AACJ Project media coverage is recorded for dissemination and archived
  • Offer periodic training to the PMU and Consortium members in media skills and in dealing with the press more generally.
• Capacity building of AACJ staff within the PMU and across the Project countries in communication skills and practices
  • Together with the Consortium partners develop training packages for the PMU technical staff, Alliance members, the country project staff and the implementing partners.
  • Train PMU technical staff, the country project staff and other stakeholders on emerging issues in communications and how to harness opportunities in areas such as, digital media, social media, online campaigning, etc.
  • Train PMU technical staff. the country project staff and other stakeholders on branding and use of visual communication;
  • Train Project staff on strong presentation skills, i.e., creating professional and short PowerPoint etc.

 C. REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

1. Excellent proven written and oral communications skills (both English and French and preferably Portuguese), with the ability to adapt style to suit different audiences and communicate complex and nuanced issues to the media;
2. A creative and innovative approach to communications and branding, online and offline
3. Up-to-date on new opportunities for the climate change sector presented by blogging and social media;
4. Excellent collaboration, teamwork, and interpersonal skills
5. Creativity, innovation, and ability to take initiative
6. Ability to work well in a multicultural environment across different geographical locations;
7.  Ability to handle change and unpredictability
8. Ability to deliver under pressure and to multi-task
9. Ability to conceptualize and present ideas in a clear and convincing manner
10. Good understanding of and willingness to learn more about development and climate change injustices in Africa and trends in public and private sectors

D. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, and International Relations or a relevant field.
• At least 5 years’ relevant experience in communications (preferably in the climate change sector)
• Fluent in written and spoken English and French (Portuguese will be an added value).
• Fully conversant with ICT and office applications; experience of web content management systems