Communication and Knowledge Management Expert – CAADP at the African Union (AU) Contract

Job Title: Communication and Knowledge Management Expert – CAADP

Requisition ID: 1565
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Head of Agriculture and Food Security Division
Directorate/Department: Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD), ARBE
Division: Agriculture and Food Security Division (AFSD)
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Job Grade: P3, step 5

Purpose of Job

• The African Union (AU) is a Pan-African body charged with the responsibility of spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa, as well as developing new partnerships worldwide.
• Based at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable (DARBE) of the African Union Commission (AUC) is responsible for managing agriculture, rural economy and development, environment and natural resources issues.
• The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is Africa’s policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all.
• The African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government adopted the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) in 2003 in Maputo, Mozambique as the Flagship Programme of the African Union for agriculture and food security.
• This was instrumental in raising the profile of agriculture to the Centre of development agenda at national, regional and global levels. In 2013, after a decade of implementation, demand for more clarity was expressed by AU Member States and stakeholders in terms of further elaboration and refinement of the CAADP targets, and assessment of technical efficacies and political feasibilities for success in agricultural transformation.
• The AU Heads of State and Government adopted the Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation (Doc. Assembly/AU/2(XXIII)) in June 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The Malabo Declaration sets the Africa 2025 Vision for Agriculture which is implemented within the Framework of CAADP as a vehicle to implement and achieve the First Ten Year Implementation Plan of Africa’s Agenda 2063.

Main Functions

• Provide technical support in the preparation and implementation of programmes developed out of the Agriculture and Food Security Division’s strategic plan
• Ensure effective coordination, communication and implementation at various levels
• Liaise with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other stakeholders on CAADP and related activities
• Prepare and develop reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Division
•  Provide technical support for the development of resource mobilization strategy with stakeholders coordination
• Manage and supervise employees under his/her supervision with regard to organization and performance evaluation.
• Conduct complex analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the Division and AU’s internal use.
• Liaise with the various Departments/Units of the Commission for coordination and alignment purposes
•  Prepare budgets for the Division in accordance with relevant frameworks. Support the promotion of the activities of the Division including preparing leaflets, newsletters, guidelines fact sheets and other knowledge products as may be required.
• Actively contribute in the development of strategies, policies, programmes and plans

Specific Responsibilities

• Have overall responsibility for provision of strategic guidance to the Knowledge Management functions and Communication activities of CAADP. Support implementation of the CAADP agenda and its Communication and knowledge management strategy of the CAADP
• Consolidate and/or package internal content of CAADP activities for internal and external use and provide targeted information dissemination and awareness campaigns to drive participation and ownership of activities to achieve the targets of the Malabo Declaration
• Ensure systematic dissemination of knowledge and information on actions to implement the Malabo Declaration on Agriculture and produce knowledge products for CAADP related activities
• Monitor and report on activities and achievements in line with AUC requirements
• Take the lead on communications related primarily to CAADP activities and manage policy related information, peer review and feedback processes into political or decision making systems
• Ensure efficient and effective planning and delivery of the activities in line with the agreed annual workplan including liaising with the various Departments and Specialized Technical Offices the Commission for coordination purposes as they relate to various CAADP project objectives
• Support Provide strategic guidance to the Knowledge Management functions and Communication activities of CAADP.
• Develop and implement the Communication and knowledge management strategy of the CAADP programme.
• Support the Biennial Review process, Data analysis and the E-BR
• Consolidate and/or package internal content of CAADP activities for internal and external use and provide targeted information dissemination and awareness campaigns to drive participation and ownership of activities to achieve the targets of the Malabo Declaration
• Ensure visibility, branding, communication and dissemination of knowledge and information on actions to implement the Malabo Declaration on Agriculture and produce knowledge products for CAADP related activities
• Promote knowledge sharing and collaborative tools through the CAADP communication tools and knowledge management systems
• Ensure timely release of communication materials such as Press releases, Newsletters, communiques on all major events and communicate with all stakeholders
• Facilitate the sharing of experiences and knowledge as well as learning through the MAPLE platform, nurturing and management of discussion groups, Fora, Communities of Practice and learning activities using CAADP web portal, communities of practice and other platforms,
• Help to capture and document new information and knowledge on CAADP in Africa such as the documenting of lessons learnt best practices and success stories.
• Develop and manage CAADP knowledge-base/ knowledge repositories and products such as compendia, directories, databases etc.
• Oversee the drafting and publishing of regular reports on the program’s activities (including CAADP Biennial Review Report, monthly activities updates and quarterly and annual reports)
• Take the lead on communication related primarily on CAADP activities and manage policy-related information and briefs on the Malabo Commitments;
• Engage and grow the CAADP Network of journalists; and act as a focal point in the CAADP Journalist/communication network to facilitate knowledge management.
• Link with CAADP communication focal points in other institutions to capture and participate in sharing of information, knowledge and in raising public awareness;
• Review materials generated for program events, organize, branding, produce required marketing materials, and facilitate participation.
• Coordinate media engagement and organize interview with the commissioner, director, high level dignitaries of the commission.
• Contribute to CAADP monitoring and evaluation plans and report on progress on results indicators as needed.
• Develop, approve, and update promotional/communication materials to ensure program materials are branded correctly and consistently.
• Other duties as may be assigned

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
The incumbent should have:

• A Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Knowledge Management, Communication, Information Science or any other relevant area
• A minimum of Seven (7) years of relevant work experience

OR:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Knowledge management, Communication, Information Science or any other relevant area
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience

The incumbent should also have:

• Relevant professional experience in Information management, Databases, Knowledge management systems and communication
• Experience in working with an international technical cooperation agency, Biennial Review or CAADP related technical assistance projects
• Proven experience in knowledge management and communication

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated leadership, decision-making, teambuilding, and self-management skills
• Good negotiating, networking, and facilitating skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to liaise effectively with relevant stakeholders
• Excellent written and spoken communications skills.
• Strong analytical and communication capabilities
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages; fluency in English will be an added advantage

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight
• Developing others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk.

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationship
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual thinking
• Job Knowledge and Information Sharing
• Drive for Result
• Continuous Improvement Orientation.

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.

Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$  96,921.34  (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 78,461.08 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
2nd January, 2023.

Note

• Only candidates who have met all the requirements of the post and have been selected for an interview will be contacted.
• Only applications registered online with a complete curriculum vitae (CV) attached will be considered.
• The Africa Union is an equal-opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.