Position:Senior communication officer – (Re-advert)

Term of Employment:  One year with possibility of extension 

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Required Number:One

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025

The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), formerly known as the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), is a strategy and delivery-oriented government institute created to help accelerate the growth and transformation of Ethiopia’s agriculture sector, which is a key contributor to the country’s GDP, exports, and workforce. 

The Institute joins forces with various stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, farmers, and development partners, to support the implementation of agricultural development programs and initiatives.  The ATI’s work is centred on improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers (SHFs) across the country for improved income, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability.  

Our Culture

We have an exceptional team of highly competent employees with a proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results.  

Program and position summary 

The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) has designed a program called “Agriculture-focused Dignified Employment for Youth in Ethiopia” (ADEY) to address youth and women unemployment rate and increase the participation of young people in the labor market, particularly in the agriculture sector. ATI has mainstreamed youth employment, gender equality, climate-smart, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture in all its programs and projects with the primary objectives of increased access to sustainable and inclusive job opportunities for youth, incivility, and the sustainable use of natural resources while building resilience capacities to shocks at all levels. 

The ADEY program is seeking an outstanding and motivated candidate for the position of Senior Communication Officer.  The Senior Communication Officer is responsible for the design, planning and implementation of the communication and visibility initiatives of ADEY program. She/he is also responsible for identifying stories and leads for storytelling and media pitches; developing content for print as well as digital platforms; creating communications campaigns and products that raise visibility of the ADEY program among the public and media; and monitoring and reporting. She/he will directly report to the Communication Director. She/he will liaise closely with ATI management as well as with the MasterCard Foundation office for Ethiopia.  By interacting regularly with the program team regarding activities and milestones of the project, she/he will also be advising on the overarching communication strategies of the ADEY program.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communication strategy for the ADEY Program.

• Define key messages and target audiences to effectively communicate the program’s mission and objectives.

• Create compelling impact stories that highlight the experiences and achievements of ADEY participants.

• Produce high-quality communication materials, including brochures, press releases, web content, and presentations for diverse stakeholders, such as project partners, government institutions, media, and the public.

• Develop and produce engaging multimedia content, including videos and photo stories that showcase ADEY Program activities, progress, and milestones.

• Edit photos and videos using advanced editing software to ensure professional-quality content.

• Leverage digital platforms and media tools to maximize the visibility and outreach of the ADEY Program.

• Manage ADEY Program’s social media presence, providing timely updates and engaging content.

• Organize and coordinate key events, such as project launches, field visits, press conferences, and team meetings, ensuring smooth execution and media engagement.

• Build and nurture relationships with communication and public relations teams from partner institutions.

• Support program team members in their communication efforts, particularly in documentation, media engagement, and storytelling.

• Maintain and regularly update a database of key partners, donors, media houses, and agriculture-focused journalists to enhance outreach and engagement.

• Facilitate media interviews with relevant program representatives and ensure strategic media coverage.

• Act as a liaison between the HQ and regional teams (RATCs) to collect updates.

• Write, edit, and proofread documents in Amharic, ensuring clarity and accuracy.

• Stay informed of program developments and translate them into relevant communication materials.

• Monitor media coverage and report on key developments that may impact the ADEY Program, keeping leadership informed.

• Coordinate with external service providers, including consultants, translators, photographers, and printing companies, for communication-related tasks.

• Document and archive meeting notes, ensuring accessibility for future reference.

• Track project timelines and deadlines, proactively managing communication deliverables.

• Oversee ADEY Program’s email and information accounts, ensuring efficient communication flow.

• Provide administrative support, including calendar management, event planning, and procurement coordination.

• Undertake additional tasks as assigned by the ADEY Program Director, Communication Director or their designers.

Job Requirements

Required Qualification, Competencies, and Experience

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communication, Public Relations, Journalism, and related fields with 6 years for Bachelor or 4 years for Master’s degree of relevant experience.

• Experience in designing and implementing communication strategies and interventions for donor-funded projects.

• Experience in crafting compelling impact stories and producing high-quality videos

• Proficient in cutting-edge video editing software and multimedia storytelling

• In-depth knowledge of the Ethiopian media landscape, cultural nuances, and communication trends.

• Strong understanding of stakeholder engagement

How to Apply

Application Instructions

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to submit (i) a cover letter and (ii) a CV (maximum 5 pages) to THIS LINK

It is mandatory to mention the position title under the subject line of your cover letter.

Please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.