Working at the Expertise France coordination office in Paris, the Communication Officer will play a pivotal role in shaping the communication and visibility strategies of the Facility. This position will be responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing comprehensive communication initiatives to enhance the project's visibility and impact.

Focused on stakeholder engagement, content creation, and event coordination, the Communication Officer will play a key role in raising awareness, fostering partnerships, and promoting knowledge sharing to support the project's objectives. This position will be instrumental in enhancing and promoting the Facility to stakeholders in the 49 target countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, the Communication Officer will facilitate the alignment of Knowledge Management and Communication strategies within the Facility and their alignment with other components of the Initiative led by the African Union Commission (AUC) and UNESCO.

Reporting to the Facility Team Leader and collaborating closely with the Programme and Knowledge Management Units, he/she will perform the following tasks:

Responsibility 1: Development and Implementation of the Communication and Visibility Plan

• Lead the implementation of the Communication & Visibility (C&V) plan, ensuring alignment with the Facility’s objectives and effective outreach to target audiences.
• Develop comprehensive work plans that detail specific communication activities, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocations.
• Regularly review and adjust the C&V plan in response to evolving project needs, stakeholder feedback, and changing external conditions.
• Monitor the performance of communication initiatives, analyzing metrics such as audience reach, engagement levels, and message effectiveness, to inform future strategy refinements.
• Keep track of and file all communication and visibility products and materials on the share drive of the Facility (Wimi, SharePoint)

Responsibility 2: Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with project stakeholders, including the donor (INTPA unit 02), partner organizations (Enabel, VVOB, APEFE, EDUFI, UNESCO, AUC), government agencies, and civil society groups (funded in the frame of the grand scheme), to ensure alignment and support for project objectives.
• Set up and coordinate a communication working group with communication focal points of each agency involved in the implementation of the Initiative.
• Coordinate communication efforts with mobilized experts, providing guidance on visibility issues and facilitating their engagement in project communication activities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for public relations activities, managing media inquiries, organizing press events, and cultivating positive relationships with journalists and media outlets.
• Collaborate with project teams, external partners, and EF communication department to identify and leverage opportunities for strategic partnerships, joint communication initiatives, and knowledge-sharing activities.

Responsibility 3: Content Creation and Event Support

• Advise and support operational teams in producing content and communication materials ahead of key project events such as ISC meetings, seminars, online webinars and workshops.
• Oversee the development and delivery of visibility products and materials, including brochures, reports, infographics, and promotional videos, ensuring alignment with project objectives and branding guidelines.
• Coordinate communication efforts for project events, managing logistical arrangements, developing event agendas and promotional materials, and facilitating media coverage.
• Provide guidance and support for the publication and dissemination of key documents, including reports and leaflets.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of communication materials and events, gathering feedback from stakeholders, analyzing audience engagement metrics, and documenting lessons learned to inform future efforts.

The Communication Officer may perform additional tasks and responsibilities pertaining to the operations of RFTA, as delegated by the Facility Team Leader. The described tasks involve the necessity to network and interact with a multiplicity of institutions and stakeholders from EU and Sub-Saharan countries and require readiness and ability to travel abroad when necessary.