Senior Public Relations and Information Officer (ACHPR)

Organization Information

Reports to: Executive Secretary to the Commission
Directorate: African Commission on Human and People’s Rights ACHPR
Number of Direct Reports: 2
Number of Indirect Reports: 1
Contract  Type: Regular
Job Grade: P3
Location: Banjul, The Gambia

Purpose of Job

To ensure that the public is properly informed of the work of the Commission and that the message and work of the Commission is properly communicated to the outside world.

Main Functions

•    Provide strategic guidance on the communication activities of ACHPR including coordination, advocacy and communication strategies, planning and implementation
•    Provide technical and intellectual support in the management of various elements related to the area of expertise
•    Provide advocacy, communication and social mobilization support to ACHPR projects and activities to promote Information sharing and Communication.
•    Identify best practices and monitor effectiveness of the Office’s support to AU.
•    Assist in the development of the strategies and business continuity plan and contribute to their implementation
•    Contribute to development of guidelines, policies and manuals that can guide programmes, system improvement initiatives and overall decision making by higher management in the respective area of expertise.
•    Provide support to the implementation of initiatives related to area of specialization;
•    Assist in the organization of thematic networks, make contributions during consultations and meetings
•    Contribute in development of materials and provide necessary training and support to Organization Units as required.
•    Provide technical guidance on matters relating to system review and implementation project in area of specialization, as required.
•    Provide leadership guidance to the ICT Officer and Documentation Officer

Specific Responsibilities

Working under the Executive Secretary to the Commission, Leads in the following areas:
•    Increase awareness and raise the visibility of ACHPR in the media, thereby positioning the Organization to be recognized as the key Human Rights Organ of the African Union.
•    Position ACHPR as a central actor in national public opinion, developing a close relationship with the media, through its editors, journalists and columnists, among others, so ACHPR activities have continental and global visibility.
•    Promote the organization’s mandate and areas of work guided by the ACHPR’s Strategic Plan and Communications Strategy.
•    Foster greater information and knowledge exchange with key stakeholders, State Parties, NHRI’s and NGOs and Civil Society in the Human Rights sector.
•    Participate in workshops, meetings, trainings scheduled and conducted by the ACHPR or its stakeholders and prepare communication products on same, as appropriate
•    Ensure regular communication and updates with the National Correspondents on the continent to promote the activities of the ACHPR.
•    Reinforce the internal communication of the ACHPR, including conducting or organising communications related training for staff, as relevant
•    Prepare communication material such as press releases and social media posts on ACHPR’s work on the continent to disseminate in the media and social media platforms
•    Manage the ACHPR’s Social Media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube) and develop and solicit content from Legal Officers and Commissioners as necessary to update posts in the accounts.
•    Ensure the website of the ACHPR by updating with all relevant articles and press releases generated
•    Develop and publish monthly, quarterly or biannual newsletter covering important news, activities and updates from Commissioners activities.
•    Revise, edit texts and/or documents to be published using relevant ACHPR guidelines
•    Create visual products and design graphic products as needed for the representation using ACHPR guidelines
•    Disseminate results of programs, projects and activities undertaken by Commissioners to relevant partners as requested

.

•    Soutenir les activités de communication publique de la CADHP en réalisant des points de discussion, des discours, des communiqués de presse, des interviews, des événements, des photos et d’autres produits de communication ;
•    Organiser des interviews et aider à la préparation de présentations et de documents de plaidoyer de la CADHP ;
•    Contribuer à l’achat de produits divers et de matériel d’éducation et de sensibilisation du public pour soutenir le travail de la CADHP sur le continent ;
•    Soutenir les campagnes et activités de communication telles que la Journée de l’Afrique, la Journée des droits de l’homme, etc. ;
•    Assurer la liaison avec les gouvernements et les partenaires pour organiser des événements et d’autres activités ;
•    Superviser les activités du Chargé de la documentation et du Chargé des TIC, évaluer leurs performances professionnelles, les guider, les motiver et planifier les initiatives de développement professionnel et les formations nécessaires ;
•    Élaborer et produire d’autres produits de communication d’informations tels que des communiqués de presse, des dossiers de presse, des brochures, des notes d’information, des bulletins d’information, etc. ;
•    Assurer le suivi et l’analyse des événements actuels, de l’opinion publique et de la presse, cerner les enjeux et les tendances et conseiller sur les mesures et les réponses appropriées ;
•    Collaborer avec la direction pour élaborer et mettre en œuvre une stratégie de communication efficace en fonction de notre public cible ;
•    Rédiger, éditer et distribuer du contenu, notamment des publications, des communiqués de presse, du contenu de sites Web, des rapports annuels, des discours et d’autres documents de marketing qui présentent les activités, les produits et/ou les services de l’organisation ;
•    Répondre aux demandes des médias, organiser des interviews et agir en tant que porte-parole de l’organisation ;
•    Établir et entretenir des relations efficaces avec les journalistes, et tenir à jour une base de données des médias ;
•    Rechercher les occasions d’améliorer la notoriété de la marque et coordonner les événements publicitaires, le cas échéant ;
•    Tenir à jour un registre de la couverture médiatique et rassembler des données analytiques et quantitatives ;
•    Maîtrise des logiciels de conception et de publication ;
•    Assurer une couverture médiatique suffisante, de tous types, compatible avec la CADHP ;
•    S’acquitter de tout autre tâche qui pourrait lui être confiée par son superviseur.
•    Agir en tant que porte-parole si nécessaire.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

•    Must hold Master’s Degree in Communications, International Relations, Human Rights, Public Relations, or related field from an accredited university with seven (7) relevant years’ experience within a human rights framework, preferably in a regional, continental or international organisation, with three (3) years at supervisor level.
OR
•    Must hold Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, International Relations, Public Relations, or Journalism from an accredited university with ten (10) years’ experience, out of which three (3) years should be at supervisory level, in a similar role preferably in a regional, continental or international organisation.

Required Skills

•    Must be computer literate with a working knowledge of common computer applications and systems; Excellent drafting, reporting, communication and presentation skills
•    Experience in planning and implementing campaigns/strategies, including involving digital communications is required.
•    Prior demonstrated relevant experience in strategic communication, digital content creation and information dissemination
•    Previous work with an international organization preferred
•    Knowledge of the African Union policies and procedures
•    Strong analytical skills and ability to prepare legal submissions and opinions
•    Concentration, accuracy, and ability to work under minimum supervision and under pressure
•    Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to organize and work under pressure in a multi-cultural environment
•    Respect for confidentiality and good public relations
•    Demonstrable knowledge of international organizations
•    Ability to work across business units / geographies; culturally sensitive environment
•    Applicants must be proficient in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese or Spanish). Knowledge of one more or several other working languages would be an added advantage

Leadership Competencies

Core Competencies

Functional Competencies