Senior Media Relations Officer, PCER1

The African Development 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.

With 81 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries), the Bank has established ties with an extensive network of international development partners and enjoys a very good reputation on the capital markets.

Since its inception in 1964, the Bank Group has committed over US$100 billion to support more than 4,000 development projects and programmes in Africa.

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.

The Bank is at the forefront of helping Africa achieve accelerated development, implementing its bold strategy to transform the lives of Africans, with speed and rigor, based on its High 5s objectives:

High 5s Objectives

• Light Up and Power Africa: power, energy, environment and green growth
• Feed Africa: agro-industry, agricultural finance and rural development
• Industrialize Africa: private and financial sectors, infrastructure, urban, industrial and trade development
• Integrate Africa: regional development, integration and impactful delivery
• Improve the quality of life for Africans: human capital and skills development, health, nutrition, water and sanitation

The High 5s have been acclaimed globally as the key for accelerating Africa's development. Independent analysis by the UNDP shows that achieving the High 5s will help Africa to achieve 90% of the Sustainable Development Goals targets and 90% of the African Union's Agenda 2063 goals.

The President plans, supervises and manages the business of the Bank Group. Under the direction of the Boards of Directors, the President conducts the business of the Bank and the African Development Fund and manages operations and activities in accordance with the Agreements establishing the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund.

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 objective of this position is to help:

Mission of the Position

• 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 Senior Media Relations Officer's role includes the following tasks:

Core Responsibilities

• 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

The incumbent will lead efforts to expand and strengthen the Bank's interactions with media, opinion leaders, and decision-makers globally. The Senior Media Relations Officer will help create a positive narrative about the Bank, using a wide range of communication techniques and tools, ranging from multimedia production (video interviews, project movies, and audio podcasts, among others) to editorial content (web stories, press releases, blogs and organizing media interviews and opinion pieces) and social media.

The Senior Media Relations Officer will work closely with principal regional communication officers to monitor and analyze media coverage and prepare impact reports, holding statements and scenario plans.

This position requires strong professional experience in media relations, development communication, corporate communication and executive communication. A deep knowledge of the region's media and political landscape is essential.