Somtochukwu

Job Summary

The project „Support to the ECOWAS-Commission on Organisational Development” provides advisory services to the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), based in Abuja. The Institutional Support to ECOWAS (ISE) is a recently added component of the project, targeting the improvement of ECOWAS’ internal processes to ensure efficient and effective use of the organisation’s resources. ISE began its implementation in December 2020 and is financed to the tune of €4.85million by the German Federal Government and the European Union with perspectives to continue the support beyond 2022. The joint action supports the Economic Community of West-African States (ECOWAS) Commission and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) to prepare for certification to directly manage funds provided by the European Union (Pillar Assessment). ISE provides technical assistance for institutional reforms at both institutions by coaching and providing advice to ECOWAS and EBID managers in the coordination of the pillar certification process.

• Minimum Qualification: Degree
• Experience Level: Mid level
• Experience Length: 5 years

Job Description/Requirements

Responsibilities:

• Implementation of the Communication and Visibility Plan of the project 
• Development of strategic communication activities to support change processes at ECOWAS and EBID
• Coordination and preparation of project reporting
• Support to the overall management of the project at the implementation stage

B.Tasks:

1. Project Communication and Visibility:

• Implements communication activities to increase the visibility of the project, such as press releases, website presentation, fact sheets, project launch and closing events.
• Develops the quarterly project newsletter, compiles articles, coordinates with graphic designers, ensures final editing of all articles etc.
• Prepares promotional materials to be handed out at events supported by the project.
• Ensures all project communication products are in line with donor’s visibility guidelines and GIZ corporate design principles.
• Manages the projects picture database, ensures that visual elements of all pictures comply with data protection requirements.

2. Strategic Communication:

• Works with multiple team members to recommend, develop, and implement communication strategies; 
• Partners with senior colleagues to design, present and implement custom communication and change management strategies, largely focused on organizational transformation;
• Develops insights related to change management risks and impact; advises partners and colleagues accordingly; 
• Translates complex concepts into compelling and engaging communications across various media, including print and digital, with an eye towards cutting-edge solutions and data integration to ensure stakeholder engagement

3. Reporting:

• Collects relevant data to present in the project reports to the European Union and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development via the project’s monitoring system; 
• Drafts project reports to European Union;
• Prepares and updates project presentations in PowerPoint or any other required format;
• Assists in preparing data from the project’s monitoring system and project planning tool, facts and figures for communication materials; 
• Supports the update of the M&E system, ensures that team members update the system. 
• Provides training for team members to update the system. 
• Analyses project developments and provide insight into project progress targeting different audiences (EU, German Federal Government, ECOWAS counterparts.

4. Management Support:

• Attends tactical project team meetings for promotion, communication support and associated releases;
• Collaborates with programme or project managers to align timelines and communication deliverables; 
• Assists in conducting management and team meetings writes minutes of meetings;
• Conducts any other task as requested by the head of the unit.

Required Qualifications, Competencies and Experience:

• University Degree in communications, political sciences, public information, international relations or a related field. A Master’s Degree will be an added advantage
• Social Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) Certification would be an asset

Professional Competencies and Experience:

• 5 years of employment experience of which 3 years must be a combination of Communication or Branding and support to change management or reform processes
• Minimum of 2-3 years experience in communications, copywriting, copyediting, marketing/PR or similar experience
• And Minimum of 2-3 years experience in organizational change management, reform process management, strategic planning, project management, or similar experience
• And Minimum of 1-2 years experience in event planning, coordination
• Demonstrated experience producing communications materials and communication strategies ideally using visibility guidelines from European Union or other Public Donor organizations.
• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills required. Ability to communicate within a complex change environment (understand the work of multiple teams and support their communication effort);
• Excellent speaking and writing skills in English, including the ability to draft material in a variety of styles, for different audiences and within tight deadlines (established track record of writing and/or editing materials for publication);
• Social media and multimedia skills;
• Good verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills to include experience with developing and delivering presentations, editing, and proofreading. 
• Ability to explain concepts in an easily understandable written format.
• Solid computer skills with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Knowledge of organizing and hosting virtual meetings on diverse platforms (MS Teams, Webex, etc.)
• Knowledge of graphic design software such as InDesign or Photoshop etc. to produce visual material would be an asset

Other Knowledge and Additional Competencies:

• Demonstrated client relationship skills working in a dynamic client environment
• Passion/interest/on change processes, methodologies, and tools 
• The ability to remain organized while handling multiple tasks under tight deadlines (self-organisation and time management).
• Ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Willingness to adhere to all principles of confidentiality.
• Ability to show initiative, good judgment, and resourcefulness.
• Proficiency in English and one of the other ECOWAS official languages (Portuguese or French).

GIZ is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity. All qualified candidates, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, race and religion are encouraged to apply.

Apply Here

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