African Union (AU) Vacancy Announcement: Director, Communication

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 are located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.

In seeking to achieve these objectives, the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver, by amongst others, the implementation of its organizational structure and the filling of all vacant posts.

The Commission of the African Union invites applications from nationals of its Member States for the position of Director of Communication in the Bureau of the Chairperson.

Post:

Job Title: Director of Communication
Post Level: D1
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Supervisor: H.E. the Chairperson, African Union Commission

Major duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of H.E. the Chairperson, the responsibilities and duties of the incumbent shall include the following:

• To report to the office of the Chairperson of the Commission;
• To serve as the focal point for popularization and mobilization of African citizens in support of AU activities;
• To serve as Spokesperson for the Commission;
• To supervise the work of the Information and Popularization Directorate with the aim of achieving the highest standards;
• To build a good image of the African Union;
• To prepare the programmes and defend the Budget of the Directorate;
• To promote information gathering and dissemination through use of new communication and technology and particularly for the integration of the African Union;
• To spearhead advocacy and public campaigns continent-wide in favor of the AU’s vision, mission and strategic plan and for the purpose of popularizing the African Union within Africa and in the world;
• To develop a common African Communication strategy, tools and delivery systems;
• To draft speeches and position papers particularly on Communication related issues;
• To coordinate editing of AU publications, manage public information and set up a modernized communication infrastructure and equipment within the Commission;
• To establish liaison with Ministries of Information, Communication and Broadcasting of AU Member States;
• To negotiate with multi-media houses and research institutions in Africa and the Diaspora for mutual information sharing and exchange, first between the Commission and Member States, and second, with the Regional organizations and the Diaspora;
• To coordinate the implementation of the decisions of the meetings of the African Ministers of Information and Communication of Member States;
• To ensure liaison with focal points in the Ministries of Information and with the RECs;
• To provide editorial advice, statements and replies to frequently asked questions for Senior Management;
• To convene and regulate meetings of the Directorate;
• To engage in public lectures and campaigns for purposes of creating a good image of the African Union, among other things;
• To organize yearly competition in schools and colleges on the theme of African integration;
• To set up the African Union’s Souvenir Shop;
• To establish a network of TV and Radio programmes across the continent on the integration process of the African Union;
• To organize media coverage and brief the international press on AU major meetings;
• To set up workshops and seminars on African integration;
• To establish a network of AU Newspapers and magazines across the continent;
• To continue the step-by-step process of establishing an African Union Radio, a TV Station and a Newspaper.

Educational Qualifications

• Candidates must have at least a Masters Degree in Communication, Media/Journalism, Political Sciences or Social Sciences.

Work experience

• Candidates must have at least 10 years of progressively relevant working experience in the area of communication, media/Journalism of which at least 5 years should be at senior management level.

Other relevant skills

• Good skills in media Communication and popularisation;
• Excellent drafting and reporting skills;
• Good planning and organizational skills;
• Must be computer literate.

Language requirement

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (English, French, Arabic and Portuguese) is a must.
• Knowledge of one or all of the other working languages would be an added advantage.

Age requirement

• Candidates must preferably be between 35 and 50 years old.

Tenure of Appointment

The appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months will be considered a probationary period.

Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance.

Gender Mainstreaming

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

Application

To apply, please submit the following:

• A letter stating reasons for seeking employment with the AU Commission;
• A detailed and updated CV, indicating your nationality, age and gender;
• Names and contact details (including e-mail addresses) of three references;
• Certified copies of degrees and diplomas.

Remuneration

Indicative basic salary of US$ 70,139.00 per annum plus other related entitlements –e.g. post adjustment (46% of basic salary), housing allowance (US$ 16,819.20 per annum), education allowance (75% of tuition and other education related expenses up to a maximum of US$ 7,800.00 per child per annum), etc in accordance with the Rules and Regulations Governing the employment of International Civil Servants of the African Union Commission.

Applications must be received not later than 02 February 2010 and should be addressed to

Director of Administration and Human Resource Development
AU Commission Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
P.O. Box 3243
Fax: 00251-1-525840/510430
E-mail: au-recruits @ africa-union.org

People who read this post also read :