African Development Bank is recruiting for a Senior Media Relations Officer position: Apply Now!
Application Deadline: 15 May 2025
African Development Bank is recruiting for a Senior Media Relations Officer position: Apply Now!
About the Bank
The African Development Bank (“the Bank”) is a premier multilateral development finance institution. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development and social progress of its regional members, mobilize resources for the financing of development projects and promote economic integration on the continent. The Bank are 81 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). It has established ties with an extensive network of international development partners and enjoys a very good reputation on the capital markets. Over the last 10 years, the Bank has grown in size and impact. It has modernized its operations to improve efficiency and value for money, which has put it at the centre of Africa’s economic transformation. goals.
The Hiring Department
The Communication and External Relations Department (PCER) is in charge of planning, preparing and implementing public relations and institutional communication programmes designed to make the Bank better known by its various audiences so as to promote social and economic development in Africa. The department also works to promote the Bank’s credibility and good reputation as Africa’s leading development finance institution. PCER’s work is underpinned by the Communication and External Relations Strategy, designed to reinforce the Bank’s regional and global position as Africa’s premier development financial institution, and enable greater resource mobilization to scale up its financing capacity.
Social media plays a critical role in this regard. Since the Bank’s last approved communication strategy in 2009, digital transformation has significantly influenced the way businesses operate, and it has made the world more accessible. It has also changed the way the world communicates. There are nearly 4 billion social media users globally, which is about 48% of the entire world’s population. In addition, by 2021 there were almost 4.9 billion internet users in the world. In Africa the total number of internet users is estimated at 460 million with a total penetration of 33% of the total population. Nearly 191 million users are reported to be active social media users.
Globally and regionally, leaders and organizations can no longer ignore the power and influence of social media. It is via this platform that messages, views, comments, protests and opinions are communicated, consumed and shared in real time.
The expansion of digital technology and social media present a major opportunity for the Bank to widely communicate impact, effectively engage with all its external stakeholders and promote interaction within the Bank. Through its convening power, specialized knowledge and strong presence on the ground, the African Development Bank is well-positioned to lead a collaborative effort among key actors to mobilize financing and leverage resources to accelerate the continent’s economic development and resilience.
To increase the visibility of the Bank’s work, the Communication and External Relations Department (PCER) is recruiting a Senior Media Relations Officer to lead the Bank’s media relations and outreach efforts, with particular focus on engagement with global media organizations and non-regional member countries. The Senior Media Relations Officer will report to the Editorial, Social Media and Media Relations Division Manager (PCER1).
PCER oversees planning, preparing, and implementing public relations and institutional communication programs designed to enhance the awareness of the Bank and its role in promoting social and economic development and to establish and maintain its credibility and reputation as the continent’s leading development finance institution. The Department is also responsible for enabling the Bank itself to understand how the institution is perceived internally and externally.
The Position
The objective of this position is to help :
- Position the African Development Bank as Africa’s premier development finance institution through strategic media engagement;
- Establish and maintain the Bank’s global reputation and credibility among key stakeholders;
- Enable effective communication of the Bank’s development impact and strategic priorities, particularly the High 5s agenda and the Ten-Year Strategy;
- Safeguard and enhance the Bank’s reputation through proactive media strategy and crisis management;
The role serves as a critical bridge between the Bank and media stakeholders, ensuring the institution’s work and impact are effectively communicated to global audiences.
Key Functions
Under the overall supervision of the Division Manager, Editorial, Social Media and Media Relations, PCER.1, the Senior Media Relations Officer has the following core responsibilities :
Strategic Leadership and Reputation Management:
- Support the president, vice-presidents, directors, sector managers and task managers in charge of corporate issues with media relations;
- Maintain and enhance Bank’s credibility and reputation through strategic initiatives;
- Create and maintain crisis communication protocols and rapid response procedures;
- Analyze media developments and advise on proactive engagement strategies;
- Work with PCER1 Manager and PCER Director on global sensitive situations, through rapid response planning, proactive message development, global stakeholder engagement, coordinated crisis communications, and strategic guidance to senior management;
- Working closely with principal regional communication officers, monitor and analyse media coverage and prepare impact reports, holding statements and scenario plans;
- Working closely with the Resource Mobilization Department (FIRM), identify and forge global strategic partnerships to improve dialogue and outreach within non-regional member countries;
Media Relations and Network Building:
- Develop/maintain comprehensive network of African and global media, including media database;
- Manage relationships with targeted global media and PR agencies;
- Work with the Bank’s regional communication officers to :
- Ensure effective media coverage of Bank activities, especially corporate activities occurring at the Headquarters;
- Organize media events such as project visits, press briefings, interviews with regional Bank representatives;
- Expand and strengthen interactions with opinion leaders and decision-makers;
- Oversee development and dissemination of media plans for global missions and outreach work e.g. lead on overseas roadshows for Bank’s knowledge products such as the Africa Economic Outlook report, the ten-year strategy et;
- Work with regional communication officers to respond to media queries from and pitch stories to global media;
Content Development and Editorial Activities:
- Write, edit and proofread media-related communication materials.
- Develop press releases, feature stories, human-interest stories, Q&As and project impact stories.
- Help create blogs, profiles, podcasts, and talking points for Bank spokespeople.
- Produce multimedia interviews of Bank spokespersons.
- Help publish Op-Eds in top-tier media.
- Create interview briefs and event notices.
Event and Training Coordination:
- Organize media opportunities (briefings, press conferences).
- Implement media plans for flagship events.
- Identify and deliver media training for Bank staff.
- Manage media logistics for Bank events.
Competencies (skills, experience and knowledge)
- Hold at least a Master’s or equivalent degree in Journalism, Communications, Social Sciences, Literature or equivalent related field;
- Professional training in communications-related fields: social media and web editing, among others is desirable;
- A minimum of 5 (five) years of professional experience in public relations, media or communications working in an international organization, government, NGO or a reputable private sector organization. The person should have hands-on experience in media relations, development communication, corporate communication and executive communication. A deep knowledge of the region’s media and political landscape is essential;
- Experience with communication agencies would be an added advantage;
- Knowledge of the operational processes of large development institutions such as the African Development Bank would be an advantage;
- Detail-oriented and excellent follow-through skills;
- Delivery of assigned tasks on time with no or little supervision;
- Problem-solving approach.;
- Ability to work under pressure on multiple projects simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines;
- Ability to drive a high volume of work to completion;
- Ability to work as part of a team and to support others;
- Flexible approach to work, with a keenness to adapt to meet changing work requirements;
- A positive, “can do” attitude;
- Agility and flexibility to respond to inquiries from the media and other stakeholders;
- Ability to manage multiple and diverse projects with conflicting timelines;
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
- Sound knowledge of global affairs and development issues in Africa, especially in the areas of agriculture, food security, climate change, infrastructure, and gender;
- Demonstrated digital production i.e. writing, editing, and communication skills in English and/or French;
- Ability to draft and implement complex communication plans;
- Ability to understand technical and business concepts and express them as clear, concise instructions.
- Proven experience in event management from a communication perspective;
- Proven experience in newsletter management;
- Experience in proofreading, editing, and managing publishing projects;
- Experience as a journalist with a high-profile publication;
- Experience in responsible and appropriate use of Artificial Intelligence for journalistic and communication purposes;
- Ability to motivate a multicultural team of communication experts (staff or consultants);
- Ability to coordinate the work of several communication experts and consultants working on various and sometimes conflicting agendas;
- Be solutions-driven, with the ability to critically assess and analyse situations and find creative ways to solve issues;
- Demonstrated political awareness and ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations.
- Excellent understanding of audience needs;
- Strong decision-making skills;
- Ability to mentor and train regional communication experts and consultants;
- Ability to coordinate multiple workflows between in-house communications experts and external service providers and consultants;
- Ability to pitch innovative ideas to PCER management;
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