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Background
ACORD (Agency for
Cooperation and Research in Development) is a Pan African organisation working
for social justice and development in Africa, through a combination of
practical interventions on the ground, people-centred research and policy
advocacy. ACORD has decentralised country offices in 17 African countries that
work with communities on livelihoods and food sovereignty, HIV/AIDS and the
right to health, peace building and women’s rights. ACORD also campaigns and
engages in advocacy on these issues at Pan African and international level. ACORD
believes that people have a right to a just and equal society and is committed
to making that right a reality for people on the margins of African societies.
We work in common cause with people who are poor and those who have been denied
their rights to obtain social justice and development and be part of locally
rooted citizen movements.
ACORD
works with the media to disseminate information and contribute to changing
attitudes and policies towards achieving social justice. The Communication and
Media Officer is responsible for ensuring successful strategic media
partnerships and for increasing visibility in the print and online media at
national and Pan African levels. He/she
will collaborate extensively with colleagues across the organisation. The role
of the Communication and Media Officer falls within ACORD’s Partnership
Development team and the post is reporting to the Communication Coordinator.
The
position is designed for an experienced and self-motivated person with a
background in editing/ writing and production of communications materials for
international development organisations, and experience of working with a corporate
brand. Under the direct supervision of the Communication Coordinator:
- Assist ACORD with all its written (print and online) communications, including adaptation of style inorder to achieve maximum impact of messages
- Assist ACORD with developing and managing media relations and the organizational mediadatabase at country and Pan African levels
Specifically
- Edit, finalise, oversee production, and ensure overall quality and consistency of a range of publications including technical reports, annual reports, general and targeted audience articles, information sheets, posters, thematic brochures, presentations, and others, including rewriting and tailoring language for different users, and supervision of editing consultants.
- Edit/write press releases and media background material
- Support country media work and develop a national and Pan African media database
- Write/edit material to enrich and update the ACORD website – primary responsible for ACORD website updated content (news, country/thematic pages, blogs…)
- Write summaries and syntheses of ACORD countries and partners work for dissemination
- Help in evaluating material proposed for publication, and suggesting appropriate forms for dissemination
- Evaluate branded items and ensure consistency of brand application
- Offer training to ACORD staff – in particular country staff - to support development of writing and communication skills and in branding applications
- Support the development of new communications instruments
- Contribute to a culture of information sharing and organisational learning in partnership development and communication
- Any emerging tasks within the Funding and Partnership Unit
Because
of the dynamic environment there might be a need to take on any emerging tasks
in agreement with the supervisor and as ACORD’s work in relation to Partnership
development, funding and communication keeps on evolving.
Required qualifications
- Master’s degree in journalism, mass communications or equivalent
- Excellent written and spoken English. French would be an advantage
- At least five years’ experience in editing and writing for development organisations for a variety of media
- Knowledge of African media houses and preferably strong networks among African and international press senior editors
- Familiarity with production and layout approaches
- Familiarity with the concept and application of a corporate design (brand) and of working with brand guidelines
- Excellent inter-personal skills, and ability to work as a team member with colleagues of different nationalities/cultural backgrounds
- Fully conversant with ICT and Microsoft or Mac applications
- Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines
Relevant
Knowledge and Skills
- Excellent collaboration and team work
- Excellent networking skills
- Creativity, innovation and ability to take initiative
- Ability to work well in a multicultural environment across different geographical locations
- Ability to handle change and unpredictability
- Ability to deliver under pressure and to multi-task
- Attention to detail
- Ability to conceptualize and present ideas in a clear and convincing manner
- Good analytical and strategic skills
- Good understanding of the development challenges in Africa and trends in communication, social media, advocacy and fundraising
Time
Frame
The
contract will be for two years with possibility for extension.
On the
basis of this broad TORs an individual operating plan with specific
deliverables within the team and organisational workplan will be agreed with
the supervisor
Remuneration:
A
competitive national package
How to apply
Are
you the one for this job?
Submit
your application by completing
the application form available at www.acordinternational.org and e-mail it with a detailed Curriculum Vitae and
cover letter to recruit@acordinternational.org with the Job Title in the Subject Box. A detailed
Job Description is also available on the website.
Closing Date: 2nd August 2013
Thank you for your interest in ACORD’s work!
ACORD. Defending rights. Promoting justice.
www.acordinternational.org
