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FARA is the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, an umbrella organization bringing together and forming coalitions of major stakeholders in agricultural research and development in Africa. FARA complements the innovative activities of national, international and sub-regional research institutions to deliver more responsive and effective services to its stakeholders. It plays advocacy and coordination roles for agricultural research for development, while the national agricultural research systems (NARS), advanced research institutions (ARIs) and international agricultural research centres (IARCs) develop and promote the adoption of improved technologies and policies along the research-to-development continuum in their respective countries and jurisdictions. Since it was established in 2002 FARA has been able to develop several African-wide initiatives through consultation with stakeholders.

Job Description

FARA is the apex organization for agricultural research for development in Africa. The FARA Secretariat is the lead institution for Pillar IV of NEPAD’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) which encompasses agricultural research and technology dissemination and adoption. FARA works closely with sub-regional organizations (SROs) and national agricultural research and extension systems to ensure effective implementation of CAADP activities.

FARA is seeking to recruit a Long term Consultant to fill the position of Corporate Communication Expert.
The successful candidate will be required to coordinate communication and publicity work for the 7th African Agriculture Science Week and FARA General Assembly, both the preparatory work before the event, media work during the event and the necessary follow on activities after the event.

S/he will also provide strategic technical support in the formulation and implementation of FARA’s communication and public awareness strategy.

Reporting to the Director, Corporate Partnerships & Communication; the successful candidate shall inter-alia perform the following roles and responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

• Refine the communication strategy for the 7th African Agriculture Science Week and FARA General Assembly and spearhead its implementation, including but not limited to the following:
  • Assembling and reviewing and updating content for the event website o Sending out regular email posts on various aspects of the event
  • Serving as the focal person on communication and media matters
  • Designing and producing publicity materials: banners, posters, news articles etc
  • Engagement of the media
  • Social media
• Coordinate communication and media activities during the 7th African Agriculture Science Week and FARA General Assembly
• Coordinate the recording of proceedings of the 7th African Agriculture Science Week and FARA General Assembly and their documentation in a report.
• Undertake a lessons learned review of communication experiences throughout the preparation, during and in the aftermath of the 7th African Agriculture Science Week and FARA General Assembly
• Promote and support online thematic discussions through existing platforms and social media on taking forward the recommendations of the FARA General Assembly
• Provide technical support in the formulation of FARA’s communication and public awareness / advocacy strategy and in its implementation.
• Provide technical support in the formulation a communication and advocacy strategy for the Consortium of Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa Institutions
• Establish communication baselines against which objectives of these strategies will be evaluated; identify communication performance indicators
• Develop communication and public awareness materials for FARA, including brochures, fact sheets, press releases, website pages and other media products.
• Develop templates and layouts for FARA’s publications, reports and posters
• Advise on communication, media and public awareness especially in relation to
• FARA’s advocacy and resource mobilisation
• Advise on improving the value derived from FARA’s publications

Compensation
The successful candidate shall be remunerated on lump sum basis and expected to commence work on 1st April 2016.

Location
The position is based at the FARA secretariat in Accra, Ghana

Required Skills or Experience

At least a Masters degree in communication, journalism, public relations, or other closely related field with at least 8 years’ post graduate work experience. S/he must have:

• Proven experience in developing and implementing corporate communication strategies at national and supra-national levels
• Demonstrable experience in representing an organization in media relations.
• Solid knowledge of developing and implementing media, advocacy or marketing campaigns including development of the relevant publicity materials
• Strong ICT skills including social media and management of website content
• Knowledge and experience in the monitoring and evaluation of the communication function
• Familiarity with the work of agricultural research and development organisations operating at supra-national level
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. A good command of French is strong advantage