Communcation and PR Specialist

Job Description

Vacancy Announcement #044/2023

Communication & PR Specialist

Employment and Private Sector Developments

Strengthening & Rural value chain (SRVC)

Contract duration: 31.12.2024

Application deadline: 18.03.2023

Duty station: Addis Ababa

The Ethiopian government has ambitious plans to transform the still predominant subsistence agriculture into a modern agri-food economy. Efficient farms are to process the products in order to increase value added. A significant expansion of agricultural production and processing is intended to improve supplies for the population and create urgently needed jobs. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) supports a large portfolio of projects in Ethiopia focusing on agriculture, rural development, and biodiversity. As part of the BMZ's new core theme strategy on "Life without Hunger – Transformation of Agri-Food Systems," the portfolio is being consolidated and further developed in Ethiopia.

The project Strengthening Rural Value Chains (SRVC) supports the Ethiopian government and private sector organizations to improve the income and employment situation of actors along agricultural value chains. Actors along the three value chains avocado, onion and soybean are supported in networking in order to gain better access to inputs, services and markets. SRVC implements its project activities in selected woredas of Amhara, Oromia and Sidama regions as well as for policy advice at regional and federal level. The project has a duration of four years (02/2021 until 12/2024).

Responsibilities 

• Supporting the project’s objectives by developing and implementing communication measures in close cooperation with partners
• Supporting the agriculture/rural development/biodiversity sector coordination in all communication and PR matters
• Developing a concept for the portfolio/project’s internal and external communications aligned to the country-level strategy of GIZ, including the systematic planning of communication measures with partners (incl. defining target groups, drafting key messages, budgeting)
• Coordinating, implementing and monitoring communications work (e.g. effectiveness, content quality and quantity)

Tasks

• Developing content for internal and external communication channels (websites, IDA, social media, etc) per the editorial plan
• Liaising and coordinating with communication-related service providers, including providing technical inputs and dealing with any required administrative procedures (e.g. consultants, agencies, photographers, trainers, writers, etc.)
• Coordinating the portfolios and the project’s press activities on site in cooperation with local partners and under the guidance of the Communications & PR Unit (e.g. addressing press queries, drafting press releases, coordinating/supporting press events/visits, etc.)
• Accompaniment of workshops and meetings including visual follow-up and reporting
• Close coordination and cooperation with the GIZ Country Office Communications & PR Unit
• Drafting or preparing material for the Press Department in GIZ HQ and at the German Embassy (with support from the Communications & PR Unit)
• Further developing appropriate communication instruments for PR work (e.g., brochure, flyers, factsheets, banners etc.) in line with the overall communication strategy and guidelines
• Preparing/maintaining high-quality core/standard communications products set for the portfolio and the project as per the standard templates and guidelines, e.g., presentation, factsheet, project webpage, roll-ups
• Communicating results of the project in cooperation/coordination with the M&E Team
• Planning, producing and disseminating impact-oriented communication products in suitable formats that are relevant to the portfolio/project, e.g. success stories, human impact stories
• Quality check of communication products and tools in line with the guidelines (brand, language, design, facts and figures, messaging, copyrights/imprint, etc.)
• Contributing to supporting delegations and VIP visits
• Actively contributing to generating content for internal communication channels or activities aiming to improve information exchange
• Distributing key information and materials to project staff
• Training on communications-related processes and guidelines of project staff (video, writing for GIZ, etc)

Job Requirement

Required qualifications, competencies, and experience.

Qualifications

• University degree in Communication, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, or any related field.
• Postgraduate degree (MA, MBA or PhD degree) in above fields will be an asset.

Professional experience

• At least 3-5 years professional experience in a comparable position.
• Experience in strategic communication planning, implementation, budgeting and monitoring
• Proven experience in content development, writing and/or editorial work.
• Experience supervising the production and quality of communication products and tools.
• Experience in press management and monitoring
• Knowledge of event management
• Basic knowledge of design and video editing
• Basic knowledge of development policy issues
• Experience working in an international & intercultural context/organization.
• First-hand experience in dealing with political decision-makers, civil society, scientific institutions and in the agricultural/rural development/biodiversity sector.
• Experience with integrating gender and inclusion considerations into communication processes.

Other knowledge, additional competencies

• Proven knowledge of English and Amharic language, written and spoken. Knowledge of Afaan Oromo or Sidama is an asset.
• Good working knowledge of ICT and computer applications (e.g., MS Office);
• Experience in designing maps using GIS or other software
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills as well as self-reliant, cooperative and innovative working style.
• Good problem-solving skills and strong result oriented.
• Ability to work independently as well as in an international team, take initiative and manage activities concurrently.
• Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures are agreed with management.
• Trustworthiness and ability to maintaining strict confidentiality and observing data protection and associated guidelines where appropriate.
• Knowledge of GIZ rules, regulations and systems is an asset.