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CARMMA COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVOCACY EXPERT

The African Union Commission (AUC) supports its Member States and Regional Economic Communities, amongst others, to implement social development policies and programmes including those related to population and reproductive health, guided by the Maputo Plan of Action on Sexual and Reproductive Health and the Africa Health Strategy. Improvement of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health is among the AUC’s areas of work in an effort to enable Africa attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

In May 2009, the AU launched the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) whose main objective is to accelerate the availability and use of universally accessible quality health services including those related to sexual and reproductive health. In order to enhance implementation of the CARMMA, the Department of Social Affairs of the AUC is recruiting a Communications and Advocacy Expert.

1. POST:



Position: CARMMA COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVOCACY EXPERT

Grade: P3 step 5

Duration: Eleven (11) month

SUPERVISOR: Director for Social Affairs

Department: Social Affairs Directorates

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia









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2. JOB PURPOSE:

Under the supervision of the Director for Social Affairs and in close collaboration with the Head of Division for Health, Population and Nutrition, the Communication and Advocacy expert will assist in communication and advocacy activities related to Maputo PoA and CARMMA. The expert will be expected to do the following;

• Implementing CARMMA’s Communication and resource mobilisation strategy;

• Support the establishment of a coordination mechanism for activities and initiatives geared towards maternal health and maternal mortality reduction in Member States;

• Assisting in maintaining and strengthening partnership at national, regional and global levels;

• Establish an information center for CARMMA

• Establish and maintain communication channels with regional and continental media and a regularly update information centre (e.g. website or other) on progress;

• Ensure periodic information-sharing on the status of maternal health in Africa, including promoting exchange of experience and best practices;

• Develop Communication and Advocacy Materials for other Health Programmes of the Department

• Produce quarterly progress reports and workplans

• Outline a communication mechanism established with regional and continental media

• Produce a final report on the impact of advocacy efforts for CARMMA

Carry out other related duties as may be assigned


3. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Quarter 1

• Detailed (costed) work plan for the implementation of the Communication strategy.

• CARMMA Web portal (linked to AU Member States CARMMA programme).

• CARMMA Media Network established

• Quarterly E-bulletin on CARMMA.

• Compendium of good practices in MNCH

• Detailed (costed) work plan for the implementation of the activities of the CARMMA week

• Communication and Advocacy materials for the CARMMA campaign including CARMMA week

• Work plan for the next quarter

• Quarterly progress report



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Quarter 2

• CARMMA Steering Committee established.

• Report of the CARMMA week highlighting concrete results and follow up actions.

• Database of CARMMA CSO partners

• Commitment from partners on additional resources for CARMMA

• Quarterly E-bulletin on CARMMA

• Work plan for the next quarter

• Quarterly progress report.

Quarter 3

• Strategy document on coordination mechanism for CARMMA.

• Quarterly E-bulletin on CARMMA.

• Concept note for an in-depth evaluation of the CARMMA Campaign.

• Commitment from partners on additional resources for CARMMA.

• Work plan for the next quarter

• Quarterly progress report.



4. EXPECTED DELIVERABLE

• Quarterly progress reports.

• Annual report of Campaign.

• Quarterly E-bulletin on CARMMA.

• 12 months CARMMA work plan

5. EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

The successful candidate will have an Advanced (Master’s or higher) Degree in Communications, Journalism or related field and a demonstrated ability to advocate and communicate persuasively to a variety of stakeholders and audiences.

6. PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

He/she will also have minimum of 8 years professional experience: (a) Solid background in (knowledge and experience) in African development issues, particularly those related to health; (b) Excellent and proven communications skills; (Excellent knowledge of English – good working knowledge of French would be an asset); (c) Good analytical and organizational skills; and (d) Good IT skills

7. AGE REQUIREMENT:

Candidates must preferably be between 25 and 40 years old.




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8. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT:

Proficiency in at least one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French and Portuguese). Knowledge of other working languages would be an added advantage

9. TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

The appointment shall be for an initial period of Eleven (11) months. It shall be renewable subject to performance, deliverables and availability of funds.


10. GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

11. APPLICATION: Please apply and submit copies of degrees and
diplomas via the AUC E-recruitment website http://www.aucareers.org

12. REMUNERATION:
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 79,903.40inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff.

The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 68,299.81 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff.

Applications must be made through the AUC E-recruitment Website http://www.aucareers.org not later than 21th February 2012.

Directorate of Administration and Human Resource Management
African Union Commission
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)