Head of Public Relations and Communications
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
Head of Public Relations and Communications is responsible for implementing the regional communications strategy, designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of the COMESA communications, publication and stakeholders’ engagement strategies with a view to influence the regional integration agenda.
To promote public and media outreach and to mobilize political and financial support for COMESA and to support influencing, advocacy and partnership building efforts under the leadership of the Secretary-General, including preparation of partnership analysis and briefings.
MAIN DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
Under the overall supervision of the Secretary General, the incumbent of the post will perform the following duties:
i. Design and oversee implementation of COMESA’s communications, advocacy and outreach strategies based on corporate communications goals and priorities, assess the impact and make adjustments accordingly as informed by trends, media and audience analysis;
ii. Ensure communication on and around COMESA’s contribution and that of its partners to the regional integration agenda is relatable, contextualized, locally understood and visible through evidence-based stories of impact and documentation of successes and lessons learned;
iii. Foster outreach partnerships with creatives and social influencers who can help COMESA achieve visibility for its work;
iv. Support the production of results-based communications products that enhance accountability and appreciation of COMESA’s programmatic offers by various key categories of stakeholders;
v. Leverage innovative communication approaches, tools and outlets including digital and social media platforms to enhance understanding of COMESA’s work;
vi. Elaborate and implement COMESA’s publications strategy based on the corporate publications policy, and identifying and developing storylines for publications and substantive articles; contributing to debates on key regional integration issues;
vii. Coordinate and manage all COMESA publication activities. These include content management, norms for publishing, design, liaison with printers and other suppliers to oversee production and dissemination of the publications;
Supervise the design and maintenance of the COMESA media platforms – including the website, intranet, web-based knowledge management system and social media. Additionally, supervise the communications staff in proactively managing in media engagement and management;
ix. Ensure the delivery of substantive oversight and quality assurance of communication products, including publications, the website and social media platforms by strengthening their utility for public engagement;
x. Lead the development and oversee the implementation of the Communications Unit annual work plans and the implementation of the COMESA communication strategy;
xi. Supervise the creation and promotion campaigns to local and regional media and international media that position COMESA and influence the regional integration agenda based on current programme and new initiatives;
xii. Provide technical advice to Management on communication and public relations including media relations;
xiii. Ensure the coverage and understanding of COMESA’s work through development and maintenance of media networks and providing newsworthy information to national publics and development partners;
xiv. Develop and maintain close contacts with key internal and external stakeholders for implementation of the communications strategy, organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, interviews, launches, etc;
xv. Ensure access for journalists to subject matter experts; provide regular newsletter to key stakeholders, and awareness about COMESA where appropriate to support projects.
xvi. Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories and organize training to COMESA staff on communications;
xvii. Represent COMESA at various internal and external engagements to strengthen COMESA’s thought leadership and integrator’s role; and
xviii. Performs any other duties as assigned by Executive Management from time to time.
MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
i. Bachelor’s degree in any of the following fields: Journalism, Mass Communications or Public Relations or related fields
ii. A postgraduate qualification in any of the above fields will be an added advantage
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Minimum eight (8) years working experience in international development with a focus on strategic communications, advocacy, campaigns, branding, influencing and public relations. Previous experience with regional international development organizations is an added advantage.
SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE
i. Excellent in developing and implementing communication strategies and advocacy campaigns.
ii. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Audition, After Effects);
iii. Computer literate (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint, etc.);
iv. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and
v. Good time management capabilities and multitasking skills.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced professionals from COMESA
Member States for the following positions:
Procedurally, Uganda applicants submit to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Trade,Industry and Cooperatives
Deadline: 11th April 2025
Click APPLY NOW for application form
Applications submitted directly to the Secretariat will not be considered and only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Women are highly encouraged to apply.
- FINAL DATE FOR RECEIVING APPLICATIONS BY COORDINATING MINISTRIES
All applications must reach the Coordinating Ministry by 14th April 2025. - FINAL DATE FOR RECEIVING APPLICATIONS FROM COORDINATING MINISTRIES BY COMESA SECRETARIAT
Short-listed candidates by the Coordinating Ministries should reach the address below by 30th April 2025 at least by 18:00 hours Lusaka time:
The Director of Human Resources and Administration
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
COMESA Centre,
Ben Bella Road,
P.O Box 30051,
Lusaka
Zambia
