Position Announcement SENIOR PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AGENCY
The Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as a Senior Public Communications Officer.
BACKGROUND:
The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (the Agency or ATA) is an initiative of the Government of Ethiopia (GOE) that was established by federal regulation in January 2011. The primary aim of the Agency is to promote agricultural sector transformation by enhancing and supporting existing structures of government, private-sector and other non-governmental partners to address systemic bottlenecks in the system and deliver on a priority national agenda to achieve growth and food security.
The ATA focuses on a set of high priority program areas. These program areas are sub-divided into Systems, Value Chains, and Cross Cutting Initiatives. Across these, the ATA engages public, private and non-governmental stakeholders to support strategic planning, manage and strengthen implementation capacity, and test innovative models. Its structure and function is focused on nimble, innovative and results-oriented support to a range of partners in the agricultural sector. It is financed by GOE and a range of development partners.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Senior Public Communications Officer is a key position within the ATA administration, lending direct support to the overall objectives of the Communications Team and helping to execute the ATA’s communications strategy.
The Senior Public Communications Officer will work closely with all ATA Program Teams to develop and implement communication strategies that enhance and increase awareness of the ATA’s work and interventions across regional and national audiences. Additionally, the Public Communications Officer will implement a media and public relations strategy to ensure positive press for the ATA and its partners, and will also facilitate events and speaking engagements that leverage the ATA’s expertise in the agriculture sector.
The Senior Public Communications Officer will report directly to the ATA’s Communications Manager within the Office of the CEO and will be based in Addis Ababa. The ideal Public Communications Officer would possess a passion for planned communications work and public relations, and familiarity with Ethiopia’s agricultural system and the different stakeholders involved in the sector. S/he would likewise possess and be able to demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills and relationship building abilities, and the entrepreneurial ability to visualize transformation and mobilize stakeholders across the system and drive practical change on the ground.
Job Requirement
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Support the development and implementation of the ATA’s Communications Strategy
Support the development and production of key ATA publications, including annual reports, quarterly newsletters, weekly bulletins, print and online articles, news summaries, brochures, press releases, etc.
Contextualize and package key messages, talking points and briefing notes
Drive the preparation of regular and ad-hoc reports on the status and impacts of major program initiatives of the ATA for internal consumption and external stakeholders
Support the development and management of the ATA’s website, including keeping content up to date and appropriate, making improvements to functionality and advising colleagues and stakeholders on maximizing its potential
Support implementation of a social media strategy to raise ATA’s profile and disseminate its activities and results
Support development and monitor brand guidelines and key messages
Facilitate communications coaching and mentoring (including on how to deal with the media) to direct reports and ATA program teams at large
Organize public events and outreach activities
Ensure that a Regional Communications Strategy is developed and implemented
Develop and maintain effective networks with key partners, including government (federal & regional), development partners, civil society organizations, and local and international media
Liase with local and international media to help ensure the wide and accurate publication of ATA news and messaging
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
5 – 8 years of experience in communications and/or marketing -- including both strategic communication work and/or public relations -- with demonstrated knowledge of a broad range of communications tools: media, websites, publications, marketing, social media, events, etc.
BA in communication, journalism, international relations, media relations or equivalent
Excellent writing and communication skills
Proven and demonstrable experience creating and/or managing the production of written publications, developing media strategies and relations, preparing press releases, maintaining web content, and engaging social media
Experience in working with e-communications, including preparing and disseminating e-bulletins and online publications
Evidence of strong networks within Ethiopia’s Public Sector and Civil Society
Strong team player with outstanding management skills
Excellent IT skills: able to work with MS Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint)
Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail
Ability to work under pressure and in a constantly evolving and challenging environment
Self-starter and self-motivated person
Fluency in written and spoken English and Amharic is mandatory. Knowledge of another Ethiopian language would be advantageous.