Communication Assistant (STS), CORW

• Grade : GS8 
• Position No. : 50086487 
• Posting Date: 01/30/2025 
• Closing Date : 02/28/2025 

0

THE BANK:

Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 81 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries).  The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In order to sharply focus the objectives of the Ten Year Strategy (2024 – 2033) and ensure greater developmental impact, five major areas (High 5s), all of which will accelerate our delivery for Africa, have been identified for scaling up, namely; energy, agro-business, industrialization, integration and improving the quality of life for the people of Africa. The Bank is seeking to build a management team that will lead the successful implementation of this vision.

THE COMPLEX:

Rwanda Country Office (CORW) is in charge of the Bank’s interventions in Rwanda (including water, energy, transport sectors, skills development).  CORW carries out its work within the overall goal of poverty reduction and Country development and in conformity with established Bank policies and strategies on Light up and Power Africa; Feed Africa; Industrialize Africa; Integrate Africa; and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa.

THE HIRING DEPARTMENT:

With a significant investment portfolio of nearly US$2 billion in Rwanda, effective communication is critical. A Senior Communications Assistant is needed at the CORW to showcase the positive impact of these investments, highlighting their contribution to Rwanda's development. This role will also strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and advance the AfDB's mission of promoting sustainable economic development and social progress in Africa.

THE POSITION:

The Short Term Staff – Senior Communications Assistant

KEY FUNCTIONS:

Under the Supervision of the Country Manager, the Senior Communications Assistant will perform the following:

1. The Senior Communications Assistant will coordinate and lead all communications work of the AFDB Rwanda under the overall and direct supervision of the AFDB Country Manager to Rwanda. He/she will also have direct engagement with the RDGE and the HQ, for communications products verification and to align activities, plans, and strategies with overall global Communications guidelines. 
2. The Senior Communications Assistant will be required to generate content from technical work, reports, and projects to enhance the visibility of AFDB’s work to the Rwanda public and beyond. The incumbent will need to ensure coherence with AFDB’s corporate communication policy and operational guidelines for all communication and information outputs. Furthermore, the incumbent will be required to provide technical advice in the design and implementation of communication and outreach products and ensure that the AFDB brand is well represented.
3. Communication Strategy: Develop, implement, and track the impact of country and program-specific communication strategies in consultation with technical teams.
4. Design and implement a Communication plan for the Representation, in line with the current AFDB Rwanda’s Country Strategy Paper and the Bank Group second Ten Years Strategy. The communication plan will ensure that the formulated messages clearly indicate that AFDB is supporting Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), Vision 2035, Vision 2050, and other countries’ visions including Sectoral strategies. 
5. Communication Visibility Materials: Coordinate, produce and disseminate communication and advocacy materials, including brochures, project briefs, policy briefs, posters, and other visibility products in close coordination with Task managers and in observance of corporate and branding guidelines. Publicize milestones through message packaging for various channels and diverse audiences.
6. Video: There is a considerable shift that the audience and development are making from relying on reports, and written documents to know what organizations are doing, to embracing short and compelling video documentary shots from the field featuring voices of the beneficiaries talking about how their lives have been impacted. The incumbent will independently be able to coordinate the shooting, narration and editing both long and social media versions of those video documentaries that are increasingly gaining popularity. 
7. Media Relations and Management: Develop a media database and partnerships with media organizations and journalists; interact and pitch stories/op-eds of interest; organize media field visits and sensitization of reporters and editors. Coordinate and collaborate with programme teams on media engagement during events and missions and collect visual and audio footage for archiving. Draft and disseminate press releases and talking points; organize press conferences; prepare media kits; provide information to querying journalists; keep track of AFDB mentions/media coverage.
8. Corporate/Project Events: Manage flagship AFDB events (e.g., international observances related to AFDB’s mandate, project launches, workshops, etc.); update AFDB-RWANDA website and coordinate developing of monthly bulletins.  Coordinate with programme teams while organising high-level and high-visibility events; Coordinate and manage media engagement for high profile events. Ensure AFDB brand visibility during events.
9. Lead and promote communication processes for the benefit of small and medium farmers, fishermen, rural residents, and communities, using a variety of approaches, platforms, and products.
10. Internal Communication: Sensitize AFDB staff on importance of communication for publicity of AFDB activities to different audiences including but not limited to branding, presentation skills, and client engagement. 
11. Technical/Science Communication: Synthesize and repackage technical reports, information, and events for the public and policy makers. 
12. Knowledge Management: Take lead in the knowledge management by transformation of tacit knowledge resources into explicit knowledge resources for seamless continuation of AFDB programs. Document and share lessons learned, nurture Communities of Practice within the AFDB community for information sharing and adaption of innovative approaches to field challenges.
13. Digital Content Creation and Management: Coordinate and manage content production for traditional and digital media channels in compliance with corporate policies. Increase AFDB Rwanda’s social media engagement. Coordinate/ produce stories from the field/web stories such as documentaries and photo essays; this includes drafting TORs for production team, writing script, conducting interviews, managing vendors, arranging logistics, etc.
14. Social Media Communication: Manage AFDB Rwanda’s Twitter/X and other social media accounts, in line with corporate guidelines, to ensure good visibility and publicity of activities. 
15. Perform any other allied task as given by management as needed.

COMPETENCIES (skills, experience and knowledge):

1. A Bachelor's degree or its equivalent in communication, journalism, marketing, public relations, international relations, or a closely related field from a recognized university.
2. A minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, marketing, public affairs, or a related field, preferably within corporate organizations, international development institutions, or government agencies
3. Proven ability to develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies aligned with organizational objectives, including experience in stakeholder mapping, message development, and channel selection.
4. Demonstrated success in building and maintaining relationships with media outlets, managing media inquiries, and organizing press events.
5. Proof of citizenship or evidence of permanent residency or work authorization in the proposed country of employment.
6. Proven ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines while maintaining  high-quality outputs, even under pressure
7. Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently, taking initiative and requiring minimal supervision, and collaboratively within diverse, multicultural teams
8. Exceptional interpersonal skills with a proven track record of building and maintaining strong working relationships with colleagues at all levels, fostering a positive, collaborative, and productive team environment
9. Good written and oral skills in English and/or French with a good working knowledge of the other language
10. Competence in the use of Bank standard software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access). Knowledge of SAP is an added advantage

THIS POSITION IS CLASSIFIED LOCAL POSITION STATUS AND DOES NOT ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

ONLY NATIONALS OF MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE BANK WHO ALREADY HAVE THE RIGHT TO STAY AND WORK THERE WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION. THE BANK DOES NOT SPONSOR OR SUPPORT APPLICATIONS FOR WORK PERMITS AND RELOCATION FOR THE POSITION IN QUESTION.

Should you encounter technical difficulties in submitting your application, please send an email with a precise description of the issue and/or a screenshot showing the problem to: HR Direct HRDirect@AFDB.ORG

Applicants who fully meet the Bank's requirements and are considered for interview will be contacted. Only online applications submitted with a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) and copies of the required degrees will be considered. The President, AfDB, reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level.  The African Development Bank is an equal opportunities employer. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. http://www.afdb.org

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) does not ask for payments of any kind from applicants throughout the recruitment process (job application, CV review, interview meeting, and final processing of applications). In addition, the Bank does not request information on applicants’ bank accounts. The African Development Bank Group declines all responsibility for the fraudulent publications of job offers in its name or, in general, for the fraudulent use of its name in any way whatsoevera

“Please note that the Bank does not accept dual nationality. Therefore, you are required to declare the nationality you would like to be considered by the Bank throughout your career, if hired. Please upload supporting Government issued IDs such as passport, National Identity Card or Certificate etc.”