Consultancy Service: Communications and Advocacy Officer

Introduction

The African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) will be leading the implementation of the regional Project “Strengthening Integrated One Health Capacities for Enhanced Pandemic Preparedness and Response in the Lake Chad Basin” funded by the Pandemic fund. The SCOPE project will be implemented across five Lake Chad Basin (LCB) member states namely Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic (CAR) and Chad.  The afore-mentioned project overall goal is to strengthen cross-border capacities for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response through an integrated and inclusive One Health approach in the Lake Chad Basin. The SCOPE Project will be implemented through three result areas; Result Area 1: By 2029, Enhance capacity for cross-border One Health prevention, detection, notification and response for pandemics in the Lake Chad Basin; Result Area 2: By 2029, strengthen the cross-border governance and coordination mechanisms for inclusive and equitable One Health Systems; Result Area 3: By 2029, foster sustainable innovative financial flows, strategic partnerships and stewardship for PPR in the Lake Chad Basin. AU-IBAR will be working in close partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC). 
Effective communication and advocacy are critical to advancing One Health and improving prevention, preparedness, and response to transboundary animal diseases, zoonoses, and other emerging health threats. Increased awareness, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-informed advocacy are essential to strengthen political commitment, community participation, and the adoption of One Health approaches across the Lake Chad Basin. The SCOPE Programme seeks to promote One Health through strategic communication, advocacy, knowledge management, and visibility initiatives that support programme implementation, facilitate information sharing, and increase awareness among governments, partners, communities, and other stakeholders. 
To support these efforts, AU-IBAR seeks to recruit a Communications and Advocacy Officer to lead programme communications, knowledge management, advocacy, and visibility initiatives

Purpose of Job

The Communications and Advocacy Officer provides technical leadership for strategic communication, advocacy, knowledge management, and visibility initiatives under the SCOPE Programme. The position supports Member States and regional institutions to promote awareness, strengthen stakeholder engagement, document and disseminate knowledge, and advocate for the adoption of One Health approaches and priority disease interventions across the Lake Chad Basin. Working closely with programme teams and partners, the Officer promotes evidence-informed communication and alignment with regional and continental One Health priorities

Main Functions

1. Develop and implement strategic communication and advocacy initiatives to promote One Health and the objectives of the SCOPE Programme.
2. Lead knowledge management, documentation, and dissemination of programme results, lessons learned, and best practices.
3. Strengthen stakeholder engagement and public awareness through targeted communication and behaviour change initiatives.
4. Enhance the visibility of the SCOPE Programme and AU-IBAR through coordinated branding, media engagement, and digital communication.
5. Support evidence-informed advocacy through the development of communication products, policy communication materials, and knowledge-sharing platforms.

Specific Responsibilities

1.1 Strategic Communication and Advocacy

1. Develop and implement the programme's communication and advocacy strategy aligned with AU-IBAR communication policies.
2. Design and coordinate communication campaigns to promote One Health approaches, PPR control, and other priority programme interventions.
3. Develop key advocacy messages tailored to governments, regional institutions, communities, development partners, and other stakeholders.
4. Support high-level advocacy initiatives by preparing communication and briefing materials for meetings, events, and missions.

1.2 Knowledge Management

1. Develop and implement a knowledge management strategy for capturing, documenting, and sharing programme knowledge. 
2. Document best practices, lessons learned, innovations, case studies, and success stories from programme implementation. 
3. Develop policy briefs, technical summaries, newsletters, factsheets, brochures, infographics, and other knowledge products. 
4. Establish and support communities of practice, knowledge-sharing platforms, and regional learning exchanges. 
5. Coordinate strategic engagement with Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Regional Economic Communities, and other high-level decision-makers. 
6. Facilitate dialogue between governments, development partners, and regional institutions to strengthen ownership and accountability.
7. Represent AU-IBAR in partnership and resource mobilization forums as delegated. 
8. Support high-level missions and stakeholder consultations related to programme implementation and sustainability.

1.3 Program Visibility and media engagement

1. Coordinate programme branding and visibility in accordance with AU-IBAR and donor communication guidelines. 
2. Develop communication materials for workshops, conferences, campaigns, and regional events. 
3. Liaise with media houses and communication partners to promote programme visibility. 
4. Manage programme digital communication channels, including websites, newsletters, and social media platforms where applicable.
5. Coordinate production of multimedia products including videos, photographs, and promotional materials.

1.4 Stakeholder Engagement and Behavior Change Communication

•    Develop communication materials to strengthen stakeholder awareness and community engagement. 
•    Support the design and implementation of behaviour change and risk communication initiatives related to One Health priorities. 
•    Promote communication approaches that facilitate multisectoral collaboration and community participation. 

Duty Station

AU-IBAR office based in Nairobi, Kenya with regular travel to participating countries within the Lake Chad Basin region.

Selection criteria

 

Criteria	Scores (%)
Qualifications	20
General Experience	25
Specific Experience	40
Other skills	10
Proficiency in language	5
Total	100

 Academic Requirements

Qualifications

1. A Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Development Communication, Public Health, One Health, Social and Behaviour Change Communication, International Relations, or a related discipline. Masters in the above fields is desirable.

General Specific 

1. At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communication, advocacy, knowledge management, or public information. 
2. Atleast 5 years in programme branding and visibility and media communication.
3. Proficient in high level delegation facilitation and visibility coverage 

Specific Experience

•    Demonstrated experience designing and implementing communication and advocacy strategies for regional or international programmes. 
•    Experience developing communication products for technical and policy audiences. 
•    Experience managing knowledge management systems and documenting programme learning. 
•    Experience working with media, digital communication platforms, and stakeholder engagement initiatives. 
•    Experience supporting One Health, animal health, public health, agriculture, or international development programmes is highly desirable.

Competencies

1. Strategic communication and advocacy. 
2. Knowledge management and organizational learning. 
3. Behaviour change and risk communication. 
4. Technical writing, editing, and content development. 
5. Media engagement and digital communication.
6. Graphic design concepts and multimedia coordination (desirable). 
7. Stakeholder engagement and facilitation. 
8. Strong interpersonal, presentation, and networking skills.

Required Skills

1. Diplomacy and good interactive skills necessary for dealing with senior officials in Government, Regional Organizations, and donor/development organizations in Africa.
2. Good networking skills and ability to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and relationships with key institutions or stakeholders operating in the regions.
3. Very strong writing, analytical and communication, computer skills are necessary.
4. Proficiency in at least any of AU official languages

Duration

The project life-span is for three (3) years but the duration of this consultancy is 6 months, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. 
The selected candidate should be available to undertake this assignment as soon as the contract is signed.

Remuneration

The monthly remuneration for this Consultancy is P1 Step 5. Expenses for missions will be covered separately in accordance with the applicable African Union Commission rules and regulations.  

Supervision and reporting

The consultant will be under the Direct Supervision of the Project Co-ordinator – SCOPE project with overall supervision of the Director of AU-IBAR.

Gender Mainstreaming

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

HOW TO APPLY 

Please submit Applications should include the following:

i.    Detailed curriculum vitae;
ii.    Copies of academic and professional qualifications;
iii.    Completed declaration on exclusion criteria in the format attached; and,
iv.    Copies of identification documents.

to the email procurement@au-ibar.org and a copy to albert.obiero@au-ibar.org clearly indicating in the subject line “Communications and Advocacy Officer” The deadline for applications will be 06th November 2026 at 23:45 Nairobi Local Time.