Communications/Development Awareness Officer (EAC/LVBC)

(REF: EAC/LVBC/LVEMP II C/DAO/ 09- 06)

The project will contribute towards the attainment of the Shared Vision for the Management and Development of the Lake Victoria Basin through strengthening of the regional and national institutions for governance of transboundary resources in the basin; and facilitating public and private environmentally friendly investments in the Lake Victoria Basin.

The EAC/LVBC has applied for funding from the IDA Credit of the World Bank, Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and the Government of Sweden through Sida. The LVBC Secretariat will be responsible for regional coordination of this project and it intends to use part of the funds to constitute a Regional Project Coordination Team (RPCT) that will be fully responsible for steering the project on daily basis.

Scope of Work:

The main purpose of this job is to plan and execute communication and outreach activities at the Lake Victoria Basin Commission.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Overall coordination and supervision of the implementation of communications sub-component of the LVEMP II at LVBC Secretariat;
2. Initiate and coordinate the interactions with Partner States and the implementation of the Management information system for the project and LVBC in general;
3. Develop and implement the communications strategy to promote the LVBC and specifically LVEMP II objectives;
4. Prepare monthly targeted messages/newsletters to provide an update on LVEMP II implementation to each target group for publication, website and email alerts and feedback loop;
5. Plan and execute strategic publication of LVBC/LVEMP II issues/activities/outputs in International and East African Partner States media, as well as international and African high-profile conferences and workshops;
6. Ensure country and regional level activities related to the LVEMP II process are reported and disseminated. This will be done in  consultation with the LVEMPII Regional Project Coordinator, Focal Points and the LVBC Secretariat;
7. Manage the LVBC/LVEMP II database and website/web page and ensuring that it contains appropriate documentation in consultation with key partners;
8. Supervise and assist in the dissemination of key LVBC/LVEMP II documents to target audiences and events (EAC Partner States, EALA, National Parliaments, etc);
9. Supervise the development and production of press releases, articles, interviews and publications, and promote and disseminate these to specific target groups and to the media;
10. Identifying and maintaining contacts with organizations involved in communication and public awareness in order to develop agreements for cooperation and further develop and maintain the network of journalists;
11. Maintain regular contact with printers, designers, text writers, journalists and other relevant groups;
12. Facilitate the preparation of LVBC/LVEMP II supporting documents/databases, i.e., LVEMP II focal point registry/documents and databases;
13. Follow up on implementation of decisions of the Council of Ministers related to Communications aspects;
14. Develop with the M&E Officer, a system of monitoring and evaluation of LVEMP II communications related activities;
15. Prepare budgets and work plans for the LVEMP II communications subcomponent at the LVBC Secretariat;
16. Prepare progress reports at intervals that will be defined;
17. Promote a positive corporate culture and image of the LVBC and the EAC;
18. Work within the framework of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission
19. Carry out any other duties as shall be assigned by the Executive Secretary or the LVEMP II Regional Project Coordinator.

Qualifications and Experience:

1. A post graduate degree in Journalism, International Relations, Communications or other related fields;
2. A minimum of 5 years of experience in working on communications issues of which 3 years must be at senior management level;
3. Experience with working in a multicultural and multinational environment;
4. Experience in preparation, design and production of the full range of communications material for publication;
5. Excellent Information Communications Technology skills: including proficiency with main office software and knowledge of databases
   management and information systems and Internet tools;
6. Experience with the media, coupled with strong writing and editing skills and ability to work in a team.

Application Deadline: