AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR MEDIA RELATIONS COORDINATOR

Consultant

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Immeuble du Centre de commerce International d’Abidjan CCIA, Avenue Jean Paul II, B.P. 1387, Abidjan 01, Cote d’Ivoire

Assignment Title: Media Relations Coordinator Consultant

Brief Description of the Assignment: The appointed consultant will coordinate, design, and implement communications plans and media outreach strategies.

Department issuing the request: Editorial and Media Relations (PCER1)

Place of assignment: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Duration of the assignment: 12 months

Tentative date of commencement: 01 October 2021

Deadline for applications: 31 August 2021 at 17:00 GMT

How to submit applications: Click here

Questions and requests for clarification may be sent to: [email protected]

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Individual Consultant

Media Relations Coordinator

Background

The African Development Bank (“the Bank”) is Africa’s premier multilateral development finance institution. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development and social progress of its regional members, mobilise resources for the financing of development projects, and promote economic integration on the continent. The Bank has 54 African member countries and 25 non-regional member countries. It has established cooperation ties with an extensive network of international development partners and enjoys an excellent reputation on the capital markets. Since its inception in 1964 and until December 31, 2015, the Bank Group has committed over US$100 billion to support about 4000 development projects and programmes in Africa. Over the last 10 years, the Bank has grown in size and impact, and modernised its operations to improve efficiency and value for money.

The current President is strongly committed to accelerate the implementation of the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy (TYS 2013-2022), which has put the Bank at the centre of Africa’s economic transformation, and which is being implemented through five key priorities (the High 5s).

Building upon this central role and the vision of the African Union’s 2063 agenda, together with the new realities of the global developmental agenda, the Bank has a unique opportunity to help drive the continent’s economic development and consolidate its mandate.

Duties and responsibilities

The Senior Media Relations Coordinator Consultant will be under the authority and supervision of the Division Manager PCER1.

The successful candidate will undertake the following duties:

  • Design and implement communications plans and media outreach strategies ;
  • Establish, cultivate and maintain good relationships with media representatives (international, pan African and local) ;
  • Provide guidance on and place op-eds written by senior management ;
  • Track and analyze the quality and quantity of media coverage;
  • Utilize all communications tools (online outreach, podcasts, events, publications, video, social media) to maximize media coverage, and contribute creative ideas to better leverage these channels ;
  • Pitch to top tier media houses and manage media attendees at major Bank events;
  • Inform Bank’s staff and leadership of media coverage by producing weekly media updates and a monthly media report ;
  • Provide information to media outlets in view of generating articles, news releases ;
  • Oversee day-to-day media relations activities, both in a responsive and proactive manner ;
  • Organize media roundtables and speaking opportunities for senior management ;
  • Create targeted media lists ;
  • Develop new content partnerships and social media outreach opportunities ;
  • Oversee the social media team, help manage and create content;
  • Identify and facilitate media partnerships and sponsorships;
  • Write press materials including news releases, media advisories, OpEds, thought leadership pieces, and pitch notes to be placed on top tier media houses (international, regional and local) as required.

Duration of the Assignment and place of work

The duration of the assignment will be twelve (12) months, renewable for the same period based on performance. The working time will be eight (8) hours per day on the basis of five working days per week. The incumbent might work beyond regular working hours in case of emergencies, high workload or key corporate events. The incumbent will be entitled to two leave days per month and will be based in Abidjan.

Reporting line

The Consultant will report to the Division Manager PCER1, Communication and External Relations Department.

Qualifications and Experience

The assignment will be undertaken by an individual consultant who meets the following criteria:

  • Minimum of a Bachelor degree in Journalism, Communications, International Relations, or a related field
  • National of an African Development Bank member country;
  • At least 8 years of experience as a media relations expert, of which 3 include professional experience developing and implementing strategies to grow relationships with African and international media within an Africa-based organisation ;
  • Knowledge of the news cycle, and traditional and online media outlets ;
  • Experience pitching and placing op-eds ;
  • Good contacts within African media landscape ;
  • Experience training experts for on-camera, radio and print interviews ;
  • Excellent ability to communicate in English, and a good working knowledge of French ;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, working experience within multicultural teams and international organizations or companies, and knowledge of Africa and development issues a plus
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment ;
  • A team player and self-starter with a can-do attitude ;
  • Proficiency in standard software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, as well as knowledge of best practices in social media.

TIME FRAME AND PLACE OF WORK

The Consultant is expected to commence duties at the Bank’s Headquarters, in Abidjan, on 1st October 2021. The assignment is for a period of 12 months. This is renewable, based on performance.

Establishment of the Shortlist

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 their updated résumé:

Qualifications relevant to the assignment 30%
   
Experience in the area of the assignment as shown in work samples and 40%
understanding of the terms of reference  
   
Experience with writing and editing for both traditional and digital media 10%
platforms  
Experience with international institutions such as the African 5%
Development Bank  
Knowledge of the Region (Africa) 10%
   
Language proficiency (fluent English, with working knowledge of French) 5%
   
Total 100%
   

To express your interest, please submit your cover letter and an updated CV. Please use this template for naming your files:

  • [Your-Last-Name]_[Your-First-Name]_CV ;
  • [Your-Last-Name]_[Your-First-Name]_Cover-Letter ;
  • [Your-Last-Name]_[Your-First-Name]_Samples.

To facilitate our candidate assessment process, please attach an updated curriculum vitae on the basis of the template below. This does not prevent you from submitting another version of your CV in the format / layout of your choice, under cover of a strong cover letter, where are free to make a case for your candidacy.

MODEL CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)

Title of the Assignment: Department:              
Surname:           First Name:        
Birth Date:           Nationality:        
Address:           Country:        
Telephone:           E-mail:        
                     
Are any of your family members (spouse/partner, father/mother,   Yes □ No □ If « Y e s » , the  
Brother/sister, Son/daughter, etc.) employed in the African Development   following data must be  
      Bank?           provided  
                     
Name     Relationship Organisation Unit     Place of Assignement  
                     
                     
Language Level     Read     Written     Spoken  
                     
      Fair     Fair     Fair  
                     
English     Good     Good     Good  
      Excellent     Excellent     Excellent  
               
                     
      Fair     Fair     Fair  
                     
              4  

French

Other (specify)

  Good         Good      
           
  Excellent         Excellent      
  Fair         Fair      
  Good         Good      
               
  Excellent         Excellent      
               
                   
    Key Qualifications:      

Good

Excellent Fair

Good

Excellent

Please provide (1) a summary of your experience and training, highlighting the most relevant experience for the proposed assignment; and (2) the responsibilities which you exercised. This should be no longer than half a page, maximum.

 

Education (University Level and above only):

        Period                  
  Name of University –             Diploma Obtained Main Topic / Major  
  City -Country                          
    From   To              
                       
                               
          Professional Training:      
                             
  Name of Training                 Period      
  Institution- City –   Type of Training               Certificates or Diploma  
  Country                         Obtained  
              From     To    
                           
                               
                               

Employment Record:

Begin with your most recent employment. For each job that you have had since earning your master’s degree, please indicate:

  • Name of the employer ;
  • Type of activity/business of the employer ;
  • Title / Function ;
  • Place of employment ;
  • Brief description (three lines maximum) of main accomplishments and responsibilities.

Reference:

Please indicate the name and address of three persons with no family relationship to yourself, who are familiar with your character and the positions that you have held.

I hereby certify that the responses which I have provided above are all, to the best of my knowledge, true, complete and accurate. I acknowledge that an inaccurate statement or essential omission in a personal declaration or another document required by the African Development Bank might result in the rejection of my application, termination of my contract or any other administrative sanction by the Bank. The African Development Bank may verify any statement that I have made in this application.

Date:

Signature: