Division Manager - CERD.1 at African Development Bank - AfDB

Reference: ADB/15/155
Location: Nigeria
Grade: PL-2
Position N°: 50065058

Objectives
The African Development Bank Group is a multilateral development finance institution established in 1964 to fight poverty and promote sustainable economic growth and social progress in Africa. It has made some $110 billion of loans and grants, in more than 4000 different operations. In 2014, it disbursed some $7.3 billion. The Bank’s communications strategy for the period 2015-2020 sets out two main objectives:

• To increase the visibility and understanding of the Bank as the African continent’s premier development finance institution.
• To champion the cause of African development by communicating the Bank’s actions and its advocacy, and thereby to promote economic development (itself). 

The Communications and External Relations Department (CERD) is tasked with driving forward this agenda, and coordinating, equipping and empowering a network of communicators across the Bank. The Communications and External Relations Department is split into two:

• A Communications Division (CERD.1) carrying out the team’s day-to-day work in media relations, editorial & content, multi-media, design, branding and publications.
• An External Relations Division (CERD.2) overseeing external affairs and partnerships, as well as coordinating the foundations of Bank communications work in Headquarters and in the field.  CERD.2 also has a ‘Front Office’ function in overseeing all CERD strategy and policy, its institutional relationships within the Bank.

Duties and Responsibilities
Responsibility for the planning, management, implementation, budgeting and evaluation of all tasks within the Communications Division (CERD.1) , i.e.:

• Media relations - supervising relations with media, and especially the proactive relations of working with Divisions to plan a strategic media presence, placing media stories, building media relationships
• Editorial and content - following and covering the Bank’s news agenda across all platforms (web, social media) for audiences both internal and external: ongoing management of weekly news flows; planning forward coverage to focus on countries, projects, themes; writing, editing, translating and posting such stories
• Multi-media work - managing the in-house audio-visual studio; supervising all Bank a/v products from films/documentaries to video clips; taking, managing and storing photographs; ensuring the good architecture and functionality of the website and other media platforms; data basing and archiving
• Design - overseeing execution of graphic design for both print and electronic products, infography, etc.
• Branding - safeguarding and promoting the Bank’s visual and written identity
• Publications - conceiving, writing/editing and giving production support for a coherent Bank literature programme
• Overseeing cooperation with the External Relations Division of CERD (CERD.2), as above: outreach/partnership, internal coordination, policy & institutional relations - there will be considerable overlap)
• Undertaking other strategic, managerial and implementation activities assigned by the CERD Director.

Selection Criteria
Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• At least a Master's degree in Communications sciences, international relations, economics and/or development studies, journalism, marketing/branding, or related fields.
• At least eight (8) years of relevant communications experience - especially in the areas of editorial and media relations - ideally in similar roles in international development.
• At least five (5) years in a similarly demanding and complex management role.
• Proven record of achievements in development/project/knowledge communications, with a focus on results.
• Thorough knowledge of international development issues; good knowledge of Africa and its social and economic challenges.
• Demonstrated oral and written communications skills.
• Languages: Written and spoken fluency in either French or English, with a very strong knowledge of the other language.
• Proven leadership skills; proven ability to advise and manage high-volume and high-complexity communications programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to accommodate high and shifting workloads with tight deadlines under pressure.
• Proven understanding of communications and branding techniques, and the ability to produce timely and appropriate products including publications, briefing materials, multimedia products and information adapted to the need of various forms of media, and various different audiences
• Strong strategic and analytical skills.