Regional Communication Advisor at GIZ Nigeria

International cooperation between Germany and Nigeria commenced in 1974. GIZ was initially represented by an office in Lagos until 2003, but since 2004 it has maintained a country office and four project offices in the new capital Abuja. At present, GIZ has around 25 seconded staff, 100 Nigerian and regional experts, and four CIM experts working in Nigeria. Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and has a population of 175 million, making it the continent’s most populous country. With a young, highly motivated and growing population, abundant natural resources and an increasingly diversified economy, Nigeria is not only a regional power but also an increasingly significant political player on the African continent and in the world. However, Nigeria faces major challenges. So far, its substantial oil revenues have had little impact on poverty. More than two-thirds of the population still live in extreme poverty and unemployment remains high. Sustainable economic and social development is hampered by corruption and by regional, ethnic, religious and social differences and the associated conflicts, which sometimes lead to attacks and unrest. As agreed between the Nigerian and German Governments, GIZ’s activities since 2002 have focused on sustainable economic development. GIZ is also engaged in the energy sector, agriculture and regional integration. The 'Pro-poor Growth and Employment Promotion in Nigeria’ (SEDIN) programme aims to increase income-generating employment in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and improve access to financial services. The programme is currently being implemented in Abuja and in Niger, Ogun and Plateau states. The Nigerian and German Governments also cooperate in the energy sector. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ provides advisory services to Nigerian partners on topics such as rural electrification, energy efficiency and renewable energies, and is contributing to the success of the Nigeria-German Energy Partnership (NGEP) as well. GIZ provides support to the ECOWAS Commission (Economic Community of West African States) in Abuja, focusing on the management, implementation and monitoring of ECOWAS decisions on economic and trade policy, and peace and security. In addition, two regional programmes focusing on agriculture are under way in Nigeria. The first aims to promote African rice value chains; the second builds the capacities of market-oriented small-scale farming. The purpose of both programmes is to achieve sustainable improvements in the livelihoods and food security of poor farmers in Nigeria and other West African countries. A distinctive feature of GIZ’s activities in Nigeria is the high level of cofinancing obtained from other sources, primarily the European Union (EU) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These additional funds make it possible to broaden the scope and intensity of the programmes being implemented on behalf of the BMZ, boosting the effectiveness of German development cooperation with Nigeria.

The Project:

Support to the ECOWAS Commission on Organizational Development (OD)  The Project “Support to the ECOWAS Commission on Organisational

• Development – Phase II” is aimed at strengthening the capacities of the ECOWAS Commission on a sustainable basis so that it can more effectively perform its key role in promoting the political and economic integration of its member states and in securing peace in the region. Cooperation within ECOWAS is actively supported wherever relevant. 
• In the context of BMZ 2030, the project will contribute to the core area of ‘peaceful and inclusive societies’ and its ‘good governance’ area of intervention.
• The project supports amongst others, the Office of the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, with a special focus on the Strategic Planning and Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate. Furthermore, the project works closely with ECOWAS directorates and departments with cross-cutting functions, like the Department of Human Resources, the Finance Department of the ECOWAS Commission and the Directorate of Internal Audit and Evaluation of Operations at the EBID. In addition, the project cooperates with the newly created Office of the Auditor General. 
• A new communication-focused component has also been added to the project. This component will strengthen the internal and external communications of the ECOWAS Commission generally, in addition to specifically providing support to the Directorate of Communication of the Commission. 

The project focuses on the following outputs:

• Strengthening Results-Oriented management. 
• Integrating Gender Equality Measures.
• Enhancing Digital tools and Knowledge Management. 
• Management compliance with international standards at ECOWAS.
• Strengthening communication efforts of the ECOWAS Commission.

Responsibilities & tasks:

Responsibilities

The Regional Communications Advisor will:

• Liaise between the ECOWAS communication unit, implementing media agency (external) and the GIZ project as a focal point. 
• Ensure a horizontal coordination between GIZ, the external media and communications company, the Directorate of Communication, and all other relevant Directorates of the ECOWAS Commission to achieve the objectives of the project’s communication component.
• Contribute positively to ECOWAS Commission’s rebranding and strategic communication direction.
• Coordinate and network with colleagues, partners, media, and other resources to achieve the project’s objectives. 
• Ensure target focused and cost-effective communication and knowledge dissemination as it relates to the achievement of the strategic goals of the project in line with the BMZ, GIZ, and ECOWAS Communication Guidelines. 
• Contribute to the review of the existing communication strategy of the Directorate of Communication of the ECOWAS Commission.  
• Identify existing gaps in the information and communication flow between the ECOWAS Commission, its agencies, and its Member States. 
• Bring an understanding of the development and implementation of communication strategies for internal communication and external communication and advise the project accordingly.

Support the timely design and production of multimedia communication materials (speeches, articles, giveaways, roll-ups, factsheets, audio visuals etc.) in close collaboration with the requesting parties, based on identified needs and respecting GIZ and ECOWAS standards, their maintenance, and their distribution over identified channels. 

Ensure effective internal and external communication within the OD/ISE project and externally with the project stakeholders and ecosystem (both national and international) and knowledge management in line with this area.  

Tasks

The Communication Advisor performs the following tasks:

• Coordinating delivery of communication component outputs, including conceptualisation and implementation of activities and initiatives supporting the communication efforts of the ECOWAS Commission, in line with the Directorate of Communication’s strategic plan and in collaboration with the project team and the external communication company.
• Contribute to reporting to commissioning parties, including M&E and progress report support to BMZ, and at programme level.
• Permanent coordination with the ECOWAS Communication Directorate ensuring that all communication is respecting the ECOWAS Corporate design.
• Coordinate and ensure that ECOWAS communication outputs are published and distributed widely among stakeholders e.g., speeches, press releases, analyses, blogs, stories/testimonials, success stories, etc. 
  • Develop concepts and tools for internal and external communication. 
  • Collecting and documenting project related data (baseline surveys, perception studies, partner reports, etc.).
  • Coordinate photography and ensure visibility and visual documentation for all activities.
  • Develop and maintain a roster of reporters, influencers, etc.with interest in the ECOWAS Commission.
• Actively supporting the communication component team in the organization of events, including:
  • Assist in designing and implementing events and manage the events calendar.
  • Coordinate external knowledge and communication process i.e., Design, prepare, facilitate knowledge exchange and dissemination events.
• Development and implementation of comprehensive, innovative, and effective communication/media strategies and integrate these with the initiatives of the ECOWAS Commission.
• Provide quality assurance for all communication activities, outputs, and deliverables in line with ECOWAS Commission’s communication guidelines:
  • Proofread and edit articles, press releases, publications, event, and publicity materials etc. and ensure consistency in design of publications. o Coordinate the work of external service providers in Communication.
  • Manage vendors/consultants and ensure guidelines are adopted.
• Capitalization and knowledge management in communication related topics and support the same for project activities and achievements:
• Develop and implement a knowledge management approach and tools.
• Support and advise on activities and achievements to be capitalized. 
• Perform other duties and tasks at the request of project management.

Required qualifications, competences, and experience.

Qualifications:

• MSc/MBA in mass communication, Public Relations and Advertising, International Law, International Development, International Relations, Social/Political Science, or a related field.
• Professional proficiency in at least 2 ECOWAS official languages (English/ French/ Portuguese). This will be tested.

Professional experience

• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience with regional and international organizations in the field of communication (public diplomacy, media and PR work, journalism, corporate communication, advertising, lobbying or similar). 
• Demonstrated experience in developing communication strategies, content, and tools.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the ECOWAS region and the relevant media and communication landscape.
• Demonstrated experience in programme coordination, event organisation including setting up and running conferences, publicprivate stakeholder events, and baseline studies (this includes the knowledge of organizing and hosting virtual meetings on diverse platforms).
• Sound knowledge of communication platforms.
• Proficiency in communications tools and software, including but not limited to Microsoft Office tools and information dissemination platforms.

Other knowledge, additional competences

• Work experience with international and donor organizations including GIZ.
• Ability to work with little supervision to meet set deadlines.
• Excellent copy editing, writing and research skills, analytical skills, oral and written presentation skills, interpersonal skills and high integrity. 
• Sound knowledge of relationship building, relationship management and networking.

(Please include vacancy no. 025 in mail subject)

Method of Application

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