Recrutement d’un consultant principal en communication, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Immeuble CCIA, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

African Natural Resources Center

E-mail : A.DAGRI-POKOU@AFDB.ORG    Telephone : +225 20 26 59 31

Department issuing the request: African Natural Resources Center

Position : Strategic Communications Adviser

Place of assignment : Abidjan

Duration of the assignment:    6 months

Tentative Date of commencement: January 2021

Deadline for applications : 30^th November 2020

Applications to be submitted to : Eve DAGRI-POKOU (A.DAGRI-POKOU@AFDB.ORG)

PS : Application e-mail must include the name of the Consultant Position that you are applying for

Any questions and requests for clarifications may be sent to : Eve DAGRI-POKOU (A.DAGRI-POKOU@AFDB.ORG)

TERMS OF REFERENCE

AFRICAN NATURAL RESOURCES CENTRE AFRICAN NATURAL RESOURCES CENTRE

Terms of Reference for a Senior Communications Consultant

 

1. Rationale, Objective and the Scope of the Assignment :

In light of its wide scope of strategic objectives, the African Natural Resource Centre (ANRC) at the African Development Bank (AfDB) is looking to retain the consulting services of a Senior Strategic Communications Adviser to oversee the implementation of a comprehensive strategic communication programme with a focus on reputation management, knowledge dissemination and advocacy. In order for the Bank to be recognised as an established knowledge broker, it needs to enhance the awareness of the quality and importance of its knowledge output support for its regional member countries. In addition, the services of the Adviser would also be called required for overseeing the editing of the Centre’s knowledge products, notably its various sector-specific publications.

The Centre intends to procure the services of a Senior strategic Communications Adviser to work on key priority areas that will include: developing strategic communications campaigns; knowledge management, including desktop publishing of knowledge products and promotional materials; editing the Centre’s publications, and managing external editors; managing the Centre’s digital and social media presence; monitoring communications effectiveness; monitoring and supporting the management of external relations and partnerships; and supervising the work of a Communications Officer, who will provide substantial support in the implementation of the aforementioned tasks.

The consultant services will thus be needed to support ANRC’s communications and knowledge output. The Centre will support policy design through facts based on case studies and policy analytics. These will be ANRC main conduits for increasing knowledge. On the other hand, to influence policy direction, the Centre will conduct periodic knowledge seminars and public policy briefs, case studies and produce a bi-annual flagship report. These activities place advocacy, information dissemination, editorial work, publishing and event management at the core of the Centre’s operating framework. The resources and architecture will require a robust communications strategy and a significant level of communications expertise. Communication is therefore critical for the success of the Centre’s strategy to be recognised as a leading knowledge source on natural resources management.

2. Scope of work :

Under the supervision of the ANRC Director and in consultation with the Bank’s Public Communications and External Relations Department, the consultant will design and implement the strategic communications and external relations programme of ANRC. This programme will entail engagement with target audiences using the most effective tactics, tools and channels to disseminate key messages and stories, in order to increase awareness, position the African Development Bank, and build strong and productive relationships with partners, donors and stakeholders.

Responsibilities will include, but may not be limited to, the following:

Communications Plans – The consultant will create robust communication plans for the Centre. In addition to the annual communications workplan, if and where necessary, the consultant will also design detailed implementation-oriented communications plans for ANRC’s specific initiatives, publications and events. These communications plans should spell out the objectives of communications activities and how they will be achieved.

Outreach campaigns – The consultant will work with management to design and implement outreach campaigns targeting specific stakeholders and key audiences. He/She will use the tools available such as digital platforms, social media, print and broadcast media as well as innovative visual campaigns to engage audiences with captivating stories and strategic messages.

Knowledge landscape presence – The consultant will liaise with the Communications and External Relations Department (PCER) to support the Bank’s growing presence in the global knowledge partnership landscape. He/She will position the Bank as a key partner and a major player in research, knowledge and expertise on Africa through regular web news items and stories, social media engagement and media releases on the activities of the Bank.

Web content maintenance – The consultant will support the Centre in ensuring that the content of the African Development Bank website concerning the Centre and its activities are consistently relevant and up to date.

Newsletter – The Consultant will manage the production of a regular electronic newsletter aimed at keeping Bank staff and the public at large abreast of the Centre’s latest activities, such as knowledge products, research and partnerships.

Media relations – Coordinating with task managers and PCER’s Media Relations team, the consultant will support the Centre in ensuring a prominent presence in the media. The consultant may also be required to coordinate some aspects of media outreach activities, such as managing media interviews and the publication of articles in trade magazines, newspapers, among other publications.

Knowledge management and desktop publication: The consultant will lead the editorial, publication and digital management of the Centre’s knowledge products and, where needed the knowledge products of other departments within the Centre. He/she shall work with third party companies as well as editors and designers to ensure that the production and dissemination of all knowledge material are of world-class quality. The consultant will engage with stakeholders and contribute to the reputation of the Centre and the Bank. The consultant will make sure that outsourced design and layout conforms with the Bank’s graphic charter. He/She will consult PCER before final validation. In addition to the duties outlined above, the consultant will also be required to take on the role of the Centre’s English Editor and edit publications accordingly.

3. Preferred Methodology :

Preferably, the assignment will be conducted from Abidjan to allow access and close interaction with Centre and Bank staff, especially at the early stages. The assignment requires a review of background documents on the Centre and knowledge tools and products developed so far. It will also require information on upcoming events necessitating specific tailored material. The incumbent will engage with ECNR and PCER where necessary.

4. Profile of the Consultant

4.1.  Required Academic Qualification :

• A master’s degree in communications, journalism or business or development with a communication major, or related field ;

• At least 10 years of post-graduate work experience ;

• Hands-on experience in dealing with all aspects of the communications ;

• Excellent writing skills in English; good knowledge of French.

4.2.        Competencies Required

In addition to the above qualifications the incumbent must demonstrate competencies in the following areas :

• Design and delivery of internal and external communication plans and tools ;

• Coordination of the editorial, design, production and publishing phases of reports, promotional materials and other publications ;

• Solid experience in writing media releases, media advisories, web content and other corporate and social Media communications content ;

• Management of relations with service providers ;

• Knowledge of the work of international organizations ;

• Proficiency and experience in using desktop publishing tools and design tools is a plus.

4.3.        Selection Criteria :

The following criteria with the corresponding weights shall be considered in the selection of the candidate :

Criteria	Weight (total
	100%)
General qualification and suitability for the task to be performed	15%

Experience in the specific assignment described in the Terms of Reference	60%
•  Demonstrated experience in managing the editing, design and production
of high-quality reports	20%
•  Demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of
multi-faceted communication strategies and plans.	20%
•  Demonstrated experience in effectively using social media tools and
platforms in communications campaigns.
•  Demonstrated experience in using Content Management Systems (CMS)	10%
to manage websites or web platforms
	10%
Experience with international donors	5%
Language capacity: outstanding writing skills in English, with a good	20%
working knowledge of French
Total	100%

5. Reporting Line :

The incumbent reports to the African Natural Resources Centre Director. However, it is expected that he/she will work closely with task managers and specialists on specific assignments under the guidance of the Director.

6. Duration :

The consultancy is for 6 months, starting on January 2020, with a possibility of renewal.