Associate, Marketing & Communications at Africa Finance Corporation (AFC)

Job Summary & Purpose

• The candidate must be a seasoned marketing and investment professional with experience in economic development and infrastructure financing solutions - advisory, debt, mezzanine, equity, and project development.
• The candidate must be able to support the marketing, communication, investor relations deal teams throughout the deal cycle from origination to financial close and commercial operations. 
• The candidate must possess a demonstrable interest in and knowledge of, economics, business and current affairs. A keen networker and ambassador with a track record of supporting teams to deliver corporate, crisis and/or marketing communication across AFC’s core business sectors.
• A comprehensive understanding of all media platforms/channels, including digital and social media. A demonstrable ability and desire to drive business development by developing and implementing marketing/communication initiatives and campaigns.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Marketing and Communication:

• To provide knowledge of AFC's mission, operations and impacts to stakeholders: Potential investors, clients - project sponsors, governments; Potential business partners - DFIs, other financial institutions, legal firms, consultants; Governments; Opinion formers - regulators, business community, press.
• Raise awareness of Brand AFC’s pan-African interests and development across Africa. Position Brand AFC as a leader in the financing of the Infrastructure asset class. Maintain current media, stakeholder and marketing databases.
• Provide intelligence about 3rd party opinions of AFC within different country governments and amongst other stakeholders.
• Coordinate the monitoring and surveillance activities to ensure the corporation’s corporate image and reputation is upheld and not tarnished.
• Research institutional investor and infrastructure information examine economic trends, analyse financial and industry data to inform investor/transaction decision making.
• Develop and maintain marketing collateral for the Corporation. Deliver an integrated and comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy and programme across Africa and globally.
• Revise and disseminate the AFC Brand and style guide for AFC internal and external documents (fonts, document formats - presentations, documents, pitches, writing style).
• Digital marketing - Manage all digital communication assets/channels. A comprehensive understanding of all media platforms/channels, including digital and social media.  
• Design and deliver digital marketing campaigns.   Conduct surveys, to identify institutional investor perception of the Corporation, advertising effectiveness, media penetration and communications messaging between paid and earned media.
• Draft thought leadership articles, conference papers, speeches for publication, press briefings and other related external communications
• Public Relations - Develop and execute industry specific public relations and social media programs including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and the AFC Blog.
• Ensure relevant/adequate media cover for AFC’s corporate events and sponsorship activities.
• Proactively build media and branding relationships. Facilitate media briefings alongside AFC’s PR agency. Actively participate in the identification of potential clients, investors and partners for the Corporation.
• Assist in the management of all aspects of the Corporation’s local and global external relations activities, including handling of governmental and regulatory bodies, media publications, interviews, queries and press conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the President & Chief Executive Officer.

Competency and Skill Requirements

• Exceptional communication, marketing, research, analytical and interpersonal relationship skills. 
• An enthusiastic team player with excellent oral, written, numerical and analytic skills. The ability to multi-task effectively and work independently, with meticulous attention to detail and minimal supervision.
• Exposure to international infrastructure deals and international financing work experience, with a network of contacts with financial institutions and International media.
• Demonstration of adequate knowledge of economic, financial, industry, development, social and other forces that may create or increase risk for the corporation.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills.
• Positive, proactive personality with a strong work ethic, motivated to succeed with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools.

Key Annual Performance Indicators:

• Number of marketing and communication partnerships established.
• Deliver a consistent flow of communication, on deal announcements and project-related activity.
• Direct and indirect US$ revenue generated or costs saved/ realised from marketing/communications interventions.
• Timeliness, accuracy and effectiveness of communications/reporting.

Minimum Qualifications& Other Requirements
Education:

• A strong first degree in Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Journalism, or background in Communication, Strategy and Business Development.
• Relevant post-graduate qualification: Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts or Master of Science degree in print and broadcast Journalism, or professional qualification: Chartered Institute of Marketing/Chartered Marketer, Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism.

Experience:

• 5-10 years professional experience preferably in investment banking and/or industrial conglomerate, communications or journalism.
• Previous professional experience in origination/business development and execution, complemented with relevant experience and understanding of economic development issues, infrastructure finance, project development and project finance.

Language(s):

• Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory.
• Arabic, French or Portuguese would be desirable.