National Communication Officer - NOB (DC)

The ILO strives to achieve decent work for all. It promotes social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights. This position is located in CO-Addis Ababa- ILO’s Country Office for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan and for Special Representative to the AU and ECA. This CO implements the mandate of the ILO within the sub-region, including the delivery of technical cooperation in collaboration with other ILO technical departments and social partners in the respective countries. The office continues to provide, at national level, technical guidance and institutional capacity building support to the Government and social partners to achieve the goal of decent work for all through a combination of integrated policy, programme and advocacy action.

This Country Office also provides support to ILO constituents on skills development and employability. The support is provided based on the priorities of the Government, Employers and Workers. These priorities are featured in the National Development Plan, the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) and other relevant strategic documents. Within the ILO, the priorities also align with the Programme and Budget (P&B) 2020-21 outcome 5 on skills development and lifelong learning. Globally the priorities must be aligned with SDGs, especially SDG 4 and 8.  In Ethiopia, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is a key pillar of the Government´s efforts to strengthen the education and training system and there is significant progress made in the preceding years. The first formal TVET strategy was introduced in 2002–2005, and focused on infrastructure development and increasing enrolment. In subsequent reforms, the Government has attempted to strengthen the employability of graduates and the quality of the training programmes as well. The labour force participation rates in both rural and urban areas have increased and the number of TVET centres rose from barely 15 in 1994 to more than 582 in 2017. Enrolment has substantially increased as well. On average, enrolment grew at a rate of 6 per cent between 2012/13 and 2016/17.

Despite these efforts, there are still significant gaps and challenges in the area of skills development. The TVET governance system in Ethiopia lacks a platform that could ensure coordination among various stakeholders and initiatives. Despite an explicit commitment to make the TVET system responsive to labour market demands, programmes and curricula are not based on a thorough analysis of the demand for present and future skill needs. The number of TVET centres remain lower than the ambitious target of 1,102 set by the Government in 2013/14. Ethiopia’s skills development system is also faced with limited integration of work-based learning.

The ILO provides support to the national institutions to help address some of these challenges. As part of ILO’s national response, a Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong learning is set up to provide support to the field and assist the country offices in select target countries of Outcome 5 (P&B 2020-21) to operationalize the planned outputs. The Global Programme aims to promote innovations and heightened support for the design and implementation of skills and lifelong learning ecosystems and programmes in the ILO member States, under a coordinated global framework. The objective of the programme is to provide support to ILO constituents in order to ensure businesses and individuals have a fair access to skills development systems that reflect the adaptation to the changing world of work. More specifically, the Programme will work as an accelerator of the Skills branch’s technical support to ILO Constituents in the context of the future of work, and as a vehicle to deliver outputs of the Programme and Budget for the Biennium 2020-2021 and beyond.

Within the framework of the Global Programme on skills and lifelong learning, the incumbent will be responsible to enhance knowledge management and communication to promote greater visibility to ILO’s work in the area of skills development and lifelong learning in Ethiopia and the overall African region. S/He will assist in the development of a range of communications products that directly correspond to priority outcomes of the Global Programme.

Reporting lines:

The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Country Office Director in Addis Ababa. He/She will also receive technical guidance from the field specialists and specialists of the Skills and Employability Branch and will closely work with the Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong Learning team, CTA managing the ILO-Norway Programme Cooperation Agreement and will liaise closely and regularly with global Manager of the skills UP project in Geneva in order to support the Ethiopia component of the SKILL UP project as well.

• Draft communication plans and strategies for the Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong Learning under the ambit of CO-Addis Ababa and broader Africa region
• Research and develop communication materials for the Global Programme; assist in synthesizing key messages and other information into products (infographics, fact sheets, brochures, presentations, video and web based materials, etc.) that can be disseminated to target audiences via established websites, knowledge sharing sites and social media platforms
• Collect, prepare and disseminate a selection of human interest stories on skills development highlighting, among others, good practices, effective strategies and innovations emerging from the Global Programme
• Provide creative support for internal and external communication efforts including print publications, electronic communication, community engagement, media and video productions
• Assess past experiences on developing and implementing skills development in the country or regionally with a view to identify and document best practices and lessons learned
• Support otherinitiatives on knowledge management and communication to promote visibility of ILO’s work on skills development
• Supportknowledge exchange with regards to the Global programme and other skills related project formulation and implementation

(see more duties below)

• Participate in the development and management of the project web site and other social media channels
• Establish and channelize adequate mechanisms for sharing key data analysis emerging from the periodic monitoring and reporting of the project
• Undertake research and prepare analytical reports on skills development in Ethiopia
• Develop partnerships with line ministries, private sector and business organizations, social partners, other UN agencies, financial institutions as well as civil society organizations, to promote ILO’s work on skills development in the country
• Conduct communication related trainings, workshops and other learning activities as well as support the development of communication manuals, templates and guides
• Participate in workshops and seminars and prepare reports and presentations
• Any other duties as assigned by the Director and CTA

First level University Degree in journalism/information science/ education/technical and vocational education/ economic development, social science or a related discipline. 

At least three years of professional work experience in programme and/or project planning, in particular, communication, visibility and knowledge management related activities

Excellent command of English and good knowledge of Amharic.  Working knowledge of another official language of the Organization will be an asset.

• Good knowledge of the programming cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation) and key programming tools such as results framework, theory of change and log frame
• Sound knowledge of communication and visibility through various online and offline modalities 
• Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor, spreadsheet, presentation software and Microsoft Adobe) such as Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of modern communication principles, techniques and systems
• Excellent communications skills including the researching and selection of information, and writing and editing skills
• Good understanding of the working practices of the media
• Skills related to the creation of broadcast content would be an advantage
• Knowledge of website content creation, structuring and management

• Good data analysis skills
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to present complex topics into simple and attractive formats
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders
• Ability to manage competing priorities
• Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.