Company Profile

The Alliance for a Green Remolution in Africa (AGRA) is a partnership of the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK Department of International Development (DEID) working with African governments, other donors, NGOs, the private sector and African farmers to significantly and sustainably improve the productivity and income of resource poor farmers in Africa. AGRA is registered as a charitable organisation in the US to provide policy advocacy, resource mobilisation functions and programmatic operations will be implemented. AGRA is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and has an office in Accra, Ghana.

Job Description

Position Overview:
AGRA's Communications Specialist will be based at the Accra office in Ghana. The Communications Specialist will have institute-wide duties and will report to the Nairobi-based Director of Communications and work with members of the AGRA-Accra team.  She/he must project and protect AGRA's image and values. The holder of this position will work closely with programme, administrative and finance staff on various issues and must exercise integrity and tact. The Communications Specialist backstops the work of the Director of Communications.

Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Director of Communications, the Communications Specialist will:

• Handle all AGRA media activities in West Africa and elsewhere when required
• Lead the production of various communication products for the West Africa programme, monthly bulletins, op-eds in popular newsletters, articles for the Programme's website etc
• Organise press conferences for AGRA management and senior scientists
• Write, distribute and disseminate press releases for both local and international media
• Assist the Nairobi-based communications team in addressing media needs for West Africa
• Organise media training modules for scientists
• Organise field visits in AGRA countries for media representatives
• Support the activities and efforts of the Director of Communications and Communications Officer by scheduling field visits and appointments
• Support the activities and efforts of the President and senior AGRA officials questions and comments received through the AGRA website when required
• Ensure that AGRA activities are publicized and that the West Africa media - print, radio and television - are kept well informed about AGRA
• Be competent in the use of digital photography, and ensure that photographic images are appropriately stored
• Work with the Executive Assistant in the Communications Unit, Nairobi office, in making necessary arrangements for meetings, workshops and conferences by providing printed materials and distributing backgrounds documentation
• Undertake any other duties as may be assigned by the Director of Communications and/or the Communications Officer
• Be able to work and thrive in a multi-cultural environment

Required Skills or Experience

Personal Traits:

• Strong service and initiative orientation
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work under pressure
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills: courtesy, tact, patience and team orientation
• Commitment to accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and to prioritize work amidst competing demands
• Commitment to AGRA's mission and core values

• Holder of undergraduate Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience: Journalism, Communications or Agriculture
• Familiarity with photography is mandatory
• Computer proficiency; ability to learn new applications quickly
• A minimum of 7 years' post-qualification experience
• Excellent command of English; knowledge of French would be an added advantage