EOI – Individual Development Communication and Events Consultant – AHAI (Remote) at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

African Development Bank Group (AfDB) – Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 80 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

We invite suitably qualified candidates to indicate their interest in joining the Department in the capacity below:

Job Title: EOI – Individual Development Communication and Events Consultant – AHAI

Location: Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (Remote)
Consultant type: Individual Consultant
Department issuing the request: Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department
Duration: Twelve (12) months – renewable upon satisfactory services
Tentative Date of commencement: 1 June 2023

Objectives and Assignment Description

• For the account of the Agriculture and Agro-industry department (AHAI), the consultant shall design and implement the strategic communications and external relations programme for the Feed Africa and GAFSP Portfolio.
• This programme shall engage with target to increase awareness of the work and achievements of the projects and promote knowledge among key stakeholders. The consultant will shape and implement the communication and media engagement action plan for the GAFSP / Feed Africa projects, produce materials, create and manage events.
• This role is instrumental to enhancing the visibility of the Department’s objectives and initiatives among existing and potential investors, as well as the specialist development community in which operates.
• The consultant will focus on leveraging the platforms and events of the Bank, Regional Member Countries and other stakeholders in line with the priorities and initiatives of the Department. These activities include media engagement, developing communication and digital materials for the Department’s main initiatives and projects, and generating media coverage of events.
• The consultant will also develop activity plans, including an events calendar, as per the Department’s strategic objectives and for key initiatives, as well as contribute to the larger Complex communication initiatives.

Key functions of the individual development communication and events consultant

• The communication consultant will report to the Bank’s Director for Agriculture and agro-industry department (AHAI) through the Lead for Partnership and Coordination. The consultant will collaborate with PCER and AHVP in the discharge of duties.

Among others, the consultant’s work will entail the following tasks:
Design Communications strategy and specific products:

• Design and implement the communication strategy and action plan for the Feed Africa and the GAFSP portfolio
• Design a communication tool kit, with a strong emphasis on social media, comprising guidelines on the Bank and GAFSP visual identity; the development of communication plans;
• Channels of communication; writing and publishing; Different types of communication document formats; Collaborating with the media; communicating within the Bank/GAFSP ecosystem; Public speaking ; etc..
• Develop adequate communication templates along the toolkit to facilitate

Identify Communication Opportunities:

• Identify communication opportunities within the Bank, its partners, and at Regional Member
• Country levels that the Department may leverage and/or co-lead.
• The consultant will be responsible for proposing creative content to promote Feed Africa and GAFSP mandate and activities and other key documents to support resource mobilization efforts.

Support GAFSP Projects Implementation Units (PIUs):

• The Consultant will work closely with GAFSP Projects Implementation Units (PIUs) under the Bank portfolio to identify communication needs and opportunities.
• He/she will engage with the PIUs to design detailed implementation-oriented communication plans for specific to each project
• Provide guidance to PIUs in the production of communication materials
• The Consultant will closely work with GAFSP implementing partners to collect information from the field and prepare success stories.
• The consultant will help secure media, writing and communication training.

Boost visibility in the Agriculture development knowledge space:

• The consultant should produce communication deliverables specifically for GAFSP and Feed Africa in general to increase presence in the global Agriculture development knowledge landscape
• Support the division in ensuring a prominent presence with communication materials to position the Bank as a key partner and a major player in knowledge and expertise on Africa.
• The consultant may also be required, in coordination with AHVP Front Office and PCER, to carry out media outreach activities, such as pitching experts, story ideas and articles across traditional, digital and social media platforms, as well as media monitoring.

Development of digital content for social media & Bank website:

• Draft and implement a social media strategy that is both innovative and achievable in terms of human and financial resources.
• Channel social media messaging across all platforms, and assist Task Managers and project teams to engage their audience
• Coordinate the promotion of success stories and storytelling via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube
• The consultant shall support the department in ensuring that the content of the Bank website and intranet concerning Feed Africa and GAFSP activities are consistently up to date and relevant.

Newsletters:

• The Consultant shall manage the production of a regular newsletter aimed at keeping Bank staff and the public at large abreast of the Feed Africa & GAFSP portfolio latest activities, such as knowledge products, success stories and partnerships.

Knowledge management and high-quality standard publications:

• The consultant shall lead the editorial, publication and digital management of GAFSP knowledge products and where needed the knowledge products of Feed Africa in general;
• The Consultant will Produce, contribute to, edit and proofread publications fact-based content, key messages, human interest stories, advocacy and outreach materials, including reports, a newsletter, fact sheets, leaflets, brochures, projects briefs, internet and intranet articles, blogs, social media content , press releases, talking points, videos, photos news stories, speeches, presentations, and other communications products for key internal and external audience in support the department work and ensure their quality and support their dissemination
• He/she shall work with third party companies as well as editors and designers to ensure that the production and the dissemination of all knowledge material are of high quality that engages with stakeholders and contributes to the reputation of the Bank.
• The consultant will make sure that deliverables conform to PCER guidelines. In addition to the duties outlined above, the consultant will also be required to take on the role of English/French Editor and edit publications using the PCER Style Guide as reference.

Media relations:

• Coordinating with task Managers and PCER’s Media Relations team, the consultant will support the department and the GAFSP team in ensuring a prominent presence in the media.
• The consultant may also be required to coordinate some aspects of media outreach activities, such as assisting with media interviews and be able to leverage press and social media influencer contacts, in conjunction with PCER, as well as the publication of articles in relevant magazine, newspapers, among others.

Events:

• The consultant will help design, manage, and roll out events such as training, portfolio review meetings, webinars and support the preparation of communication activities and materials for Bank GAFSP team participation at steering committee or international conferences and elsewhere as required.

Content archiving and management:

• Be responsible for modern and appropriate filing, archiving of GAFSP/Feed Africa-related photos, video and press contacts to databases managed by GAFSP as well as PCER.
• The consultant shall perform any other job-related duties assigned by the program coordinator.

Key Deliverables
The deliverables under this assignment include and are not limited to:

• Communication action plan delivered;
• Communication materials produced (success stories, videos, etc);
• Archiving and filing is complete; and
• Monthly activity report submitted on time.

At the conclusion of the assignment, the Consultant’s outputs will be evaluated based on the
following criteria:

• Outputs
• Quality of work produced
• Reliability and organization

Recruitment of the individual consultant
A shortlist of three to six individual consultants will be established at the end of the stipulated
period of request for expressions of interest. Consultants on the shortlist will be assessed based on the following criteria and on the basis of a comprehensive technical proposal clearly
showing how the candidate matches the following requirements:

Reporting:

• The consultant shall work under the supervision and report to the Director for Agriculture and agro-industry department (AHAI) through the Lead for Partnership and Coordination.
• The consultant shall submit monthly progress reports on expected deliverables.

Qualifications of the individual development communication and events consultant

• A Master’s Degree in the field of the position (e.g. Communication / Journalism, International Relations, Political Science, Economics, Development, etc.) and:
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience;
• A good understanding of, or willingness to learn about, agriculture in Africa and related approaches of international organizations;
• Be clientand results-oriented;
• Strong analytical skills, a sense of accuracy and attention to detail;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills;
• Be able to work independently
• Ability to deal with sensitive issues in a multi-cultural environment and to build effective working relations with colleagues;
• Ability to work under pressure and in time-sensitive situations;
• Understanding of media storytelling and the newsgathering process;
• Familiarity with video production, script writing
• Fluency in social media and social media management platforms (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.);
• Submit sample(s) of past event management campaigns, noting level of involvement and event impact in application;
• Submit sample(s) of past communication materials, including articles, press releases, video scripts, social media posts, etc. in application;
• Demonstrated experience managing high-level, in person or hybrid events;
• Experience in selecting, contracting and managing external service providers for the production of communications material;
• Fluency in English or French, and knowledge of the other;
• Competent in the use of standard software applications (MS Word, Power Point, Excel), advanced Power Point and layout/design skills will be a distinct advantage; and
• Be a national of one of the member countries of the Bank.

Eligibility:

• The position is open to nationals of Member Countries of the African Development Bank Group. Interested applicants are encouraged to send an updated Curriculum Vita and samples of communications and/or multimedia material.

Remuneration

• The Consultant will receive a monthly lump sum. No additional benefits or per diems will be paid.
• The Consultant is responsible for his/her own health insurance and accommodation costs.
• The Bank will cover full costs of any required missions and provide per-diem in accordance with rules governing consultant mission travel.
• The Bank will also cover or reimburse any related costs pre-approved and required to carry out deliverables appropriately.

Application Closing Date
2nd May, 2023 (17:00 GMT).

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates are required to indicate their interest in providing the above-described services by providing information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to undertake this Assignment (documents, work samples, reference to similar services, experience in similar assignments, etc.) to: p.bohaen@afdb.org and d.benniran@afdb.org using “EOI – Individual Development Communication and Events Consultant – AHAI” as the subject of the mail.

Click here for more information

Click here for the Job Description (PDF)

Note

• The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedure shall be in conformity with the Bank’s Rules and Procedure for the Selection of Corporate Consultants.
• Interest expressed by a consultant does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include him/her in the shortlist.
• Selected candidates will be asked to participate in skills assessment exercises.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.