Media Relations and Communication Officer at African Development Bank

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Division Manager, Communication and External Relations – PCER.1, the incumbent will liaise with media houses and be responsible for disseminating information to the press to raise awareness around the Bank’s mission, policies, projects and achievements in a positive, consistent and credible manner. He will also support the editorial team in writing media advisories, press releases and media briefing kits and other collaterals.

Duties and responsibilities

• Under the overall supervision of the Division Manager, Communication and External Relations – PCER.1, the Francophone Media Relations and Communication Officer has the following responsibilities:

Media Relations

• Respond to and follow through on requests for information from the media, determining appropriate, accurate responses and appropriate contacts for response.
• Pitch and solicit press interest in a range of Bank projects, products and issues through interview opportunities with the Bank’s President, Vice Presidents, Directors and Regional Directors, etc.
• Write media advisories.
• Prepare daily press digest for the Bank’s internal audiences.
• Disseminate press releases and external communication of information through various media that are designed to keep the public informed of the Bank’s accomplishments or points of view.
• Selects top-tier media outlets for dissemination of thematic op eds by the Bank’s senior management.
• Cultivate and maintain knowledge of and relationships with key news media at local, pan-African and international levels.
• Develop, update and maintain media contact lists/ database.
• Prepare media monitoring reports on mentions of the Bank in international, pan-African and French-speaking media.

Press events

• Organize general media engagement activities and large media events with up to 200 journalists:
• Editors’ roundtables
• Training sessions for journalists
• Project site visits
• Media breakfasts, stakeholder events, statutory and press conferences, etc.
• Coordinate all logistics for press events:
• Manage Bank media center during Bank statutory events (Annual Meetings, Africa Investment Forum, Africa Economic Conference):
• responding to media requests
• alerting journalists about key events to cover (press conferences, media briefings)
• ensuring logistics for journalists between conference venue and hotels
• distributing media advisories and interview schedules
• facilitating interview opportunities

Editorial

• Support the editorial team in writing media advisories, press releases and media briefing kits and other collaterals.

Other duties

• Keep up-to-date with all issues that affect the Bank.
• Ensure PCER’s subscription to key newspapers and magazines and to other communication-related services is maintained: following up on contract renewals, payment of invoices.
• Other communications and external relations duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Selection Criteria

• Hold a master’s degree in communication, journalism or related areas.
• Have a minimum four (4) years of experience in media relations (preferably in multilateral development banks).
• Journalistic background with strong written and verbal communication skills, able to deliver clear, concise information tailored to specific and varied audiences.
• Proven experience in event planning or event coordination in a corporate environment.
• Good overall knowledge of communication and media platforms.
• Excellent command of French (written and spoken). Working knowledge of English would be an added advantage.
• Excellent organizational, negotiation, and multitasking skills.
• Able to quickly blend into and maintain a smooth working relationship with a multilingual team.
• Be able to work efficiently under stress.
• Detail-oriented and organized, ensuring quality and consistent output.
• Ability to effectively solve problems, think creatively, make decisions and act, exercising independent judgment.
• Ability to maintain a professional and positive attitude and work with a team or independently with little guidance in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Ability to work on tight deadlines and under pressure.
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint.)