Jobs – Communications Specialist at Nile Basin Initiative

Job Title: Communications Specialist

The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) is a regional intergovernmental partnership that seeks to develop the River Nile in a cooperative manner, share substantial socio‐economic benefits and promote  regional peace and security. NBI was established on 22 February, 1999 by riparian countries and continues to be led by 10 Member States namely Burundi, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya,

Rwanda, South Sudan, The Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Eritrea participates as an observer. NBI was conceived  as  a transitional  institution  until the  operative Framework Agreement (CFA) negotiations were finalized and a permanent institution created.

The NBI has got three core Program Areas:  (i) Basin Cooperation Program whose objective is to

facilitate, support and nurture cooperation amongst the Nile Basin countries so as to promote  timely and efficient joint actions required for securing benefit from the common Nile Basin water resources. (ii) Water Resource Management Program with the objective to assess, manage and safeguard the water resource base that supports the peoples of the Nile Basin through applying

the  principles  of  knowledge‐based  Integrated  Water  Resources  Management  to  water development planning  and  assessment.  (iii)  Water Resource Development  Program  whose objective is to identify, prepare and facilitate investment in trans‐boundary water development projects and programs whilst avoiding negative impacts on the health of the Nile Basin’s resources through applying the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management.

Job Summary: The NBI Communications Consultant will provide technical assistance and guidance in the area of Information, Communication and Visibility for NBI.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Communications Products: 

• Conceptualise and  develop  one  case study,  once success story  and  one  consolidated benefits of cooperation booklet.
• Work together with the consultants developing the NBI flagship publications, to prepare ‘popular’ versions of the flagship publications.

2. Events: 

• Work with the Nile‐SEC  Communications  Consultant to  ensure  effective  publicity  and communications for the 4th NBDF in October 2014 (before, during and after the event)
• Work  with  the  Nile‐SEC  Communications  Specialist  to  ensure  effective  publicity  and  communications for 2015 Nile Day celebrations

3. Media engagement:  

• Organise tailor-made training to  improve the  understanding  of the  Nile  Basin  media professionals of NBI and the Nile cooperation
• Organise and deliver training on communications and media relations for key NBI officials
• (Nile‐TAC, SMT, Desk officers)
• Actively participate in organising the NBI media awards

4. Website and social media:  Develop content for  the  website  and  the  social media  platforms

5. Support to overall Nile Basin Initiative communications:

• Undertake  other communications related activities, in‐line with the Secretariatcommunication  plans  and  as  directed  by  the  Regional  Communication  Specialist  and reporting  to  the  Head of Strategic Planning and Management.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The candidate should hold a good Master’s  Degree  or  equivalent  Advanced  Degree  in  a  related  field  of  expertise  (Communication,  Journalism,  Literature in English,  Social Sciences or Political Sciences)
• Excellent creative writing and analytical skills as well as editing and proofreading skills
• At least seven years working experience in a related field
• A minimum of three similar assignments done in the last 7 years, including assignments dealing with sensitive topics
• Good media relations and management skills
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Prior experience  with  graphics  production,  color  print  process,  desktop  publishing  and  word processing
• Ability to maintain concentration as work is subject to frequent interruptions
• Ability to work in a multi‐task and multi‐deadline environment
• Ability to set goals and timelines and to work on deadlines
• Be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Fluency in English is required, knowledge of French is an asset.
• Good knowledge and Understanding of the Nile Basin Initiative an asset, as are knowledge and experience with transboundary water issues and the Nile region.
• Excellent interpersonal skills,  including  ability  to  operate  effectively  across  organizational  boundaries and in multi‐cultural settings

How to Apply for the job:

All interested candidates should send their applications electronically to the Executive Director at: recruitment@nilebasin.org. Application/cover letters clearly indicating the title of the assignment and accompanied by detailed curriculum vitae.

Deadline: 8th September, 2014