Communication Specialist

GIZ- Internal/External Vacancy Announcement

Project office- GIZ AU Portfolio

Contract duration-31.10.2028

Duty Station- Addis Ababa

Brief Description of the Offices

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a global service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. As a public-benefit federal enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government – in particular the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – and many public and private sector clients in achieving their objectives in international cooperation in around 120 countries.

Since 2004, GIZ has been a reliable and trusted partner of the African Union (AU) to enhance inclusive growth and sustainable development on the African continent in line with the AU’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. With more than 250 staff, GIZ African Union cooperates with the AU Commission, as well as the AU’s specialised institutions and agencies, such as the Development Agency AUDA-NEPAD, at continental, regional and national level in more than 40 member states. Key areas of engagement include Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, Governance, Sustainable Economic Growth, Health and Social Development, as well as Just Transition.

The projects in the Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention sector bring together several regional initiatives that support the African Union in preventing and managing violent conflict and in building lasting peace across its Member States. They focus on strengthening the use of the AU’s peace, security and governance mechanisms, improving the capacity of the AU’s Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department, supporting the peaceful reaffirmation of national borders, and promoting cooperation and dialogue across borders between communities, civil society and government institutions. The projects also support knowledge sharing and the use of evidence to inform conflict-sensitive decision-making.

The group of projects in the Governance sector currently include several regional initiatives which aim at supporting positive systemic change, stronger governance institutions, and the implementation of human rights and particularly disadvantaged groups. The foci lay more specifically on the institutional capacity building of AU-institutions, combating financial constraints, strengthening the rights of women, girls and individuals living with disabilities in Africa, as well as promoting knowledge transfer, producing evidence for decision-making and fostering access to digital products and services.

Main Duties

• Establishing a trustful relationship with all regional / continental projects in the Peace Building & Conflict Prevention Cluster, & in the Governance Cluster including the secondees to the African Union Commission and other AU organs (e.g. APRM, AUDA-NEPAD)
• Serving as the focal point of the projects for the Service Unit Communication in GIZ AU
• Creating impact stories for all projects in the Peace Building & Conflict Prevention Cluster & Governance Cluster
• Creating regular social media posts for all projects in the Peace Building & Conflict Prevention Cluster & Governance Cluster
• Advising the projects on digital communication, such as social media and innovative forms of communication, corporate communication rules and regulations of GIZ and different commissioning parties
• Serving as liaison officer to external service providers, including management of specific contracts with communication agencies
• Participating in results-based communication, monitoring and reporting
• Contributing to the GIZ AU office-wide information-sharing, coordination and cooperation towards excellent visibility
• Where appropriate and reasonable, the position holder is willing to perform tasks outside the scope of the job description

Qualifications

• University degree (min. Bachelor plus relevant work experience) in a relevant field, such as Media Communication, Journalism

Professional experience

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in journalism or public relations
• Demonstrated experience in producing impact stories, adapted to different audiences
• Active usage of social media, especially LinkedIn and Instagram, for professional communication in the work context
• Experience with working in diverse teams
• Experience in working with politically sensitive issues
• Proven experience in working with and managing external communication agencies

Prerequisites

• Excellent English in speaking and writing
• Very strong communication skills in speaking and writing

Other knowledge, additional competencies

• Good command of another AU-official language would be a strong additional asset
• Good command of relevant software, especially Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and other products of the Adobe Suite would be of advantage