AVU Senior Marketing and Communications Officer Job in Nairobi Kenya

Terms of Reference

1.0. Introduction

The African Virtual University (AVU) www.avu.org is a Pan African Intergovernmental Organization established by charter with the mandate of significantly increasing access to quality higher education and training through the innovative use of information communication technologies.

A Charter, establishing the AVU as an Intergovernmental Organization, has been signed so far by eight (8) African Governments - Kenya, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania Mozambique, and Democratic Republic of Congo.

The AVU has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and a Regional office in Dakar Senegal with Host-Country Agreements and Diplomatic Status with the two governments.

The AVU Business Plan 2009-2014 has two main thrusts:

(a) Educational and support services provided on a fee basis; and

(b) Not-for-profit development services.

The, Not-for-profit development services, aims at building the capacity of AVU Partner Institutions (PIs) with an objective of increasing access to quality education through the following activities: updating and developing content; Open Educational Resources (OER) Development; AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); set up/upgrade ODeL centers; developing professional networks through Communities of Practices; Research and Development; and Quality Evaluation and Benchmarking.

Some of the Not-for-profit development services were delivered from 2005 to 2011 through the AVU Multinational Project I funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented in 10 African countries.

The AfDB is funding a second phase of the Multinational Project which will build on the first phase and will extend its benefits to more countries.

The overall objective of the AVU Multinational Project II is to strengthen the capacity of the AVU and a network of 27 institutions to deliver and manage quality ICT integrated education and training opportunities in 21 African countries.

The project has the following activities:

(1) Establishment of new Open Distance and eLearning (ODeL) Centres and/or upgrading of exiting AVU Learning Centres as well as Internet connectivity provision at AVU Partner Institutions;

(2) Development and/or improvement, and delivery of four ICT integrated Programs: AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); Teacher Education, Computer Science, and Peace and Conflict Resolution;

(3) Gender Mainstreaming

(4) Research and Development;

(5) Promotion and development of Open Education Resources (OERs); and

(6) Enhancement of AVU Capacity.

The AVU Multinational project II will be implemented in 27 AVU Partner Institutions in the following 21 countries: nine (9) Francophone African Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal; four (4) Lusophone African Countries: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and Mozambique; and eight (8) Anglophone African Countries: Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, and Tanzania.

To successfully implement these project activities the AVU wishes to engage a Marketing and Communications Officer to review the AVU Marketing and Communication plan, design and implement publicity, advocacy and marketing strategies with partners and key stakeholders in selected countries and world-wide. This post will be located in Nairobi, Kenya.

2.0. Scope of Work

• To review the AVU Marketing and Communication Plan to reflect the Multinational Project II
• Managing the implementation of advertising, marketing and PR activities;
• Managing the distribution of reports, press releases and announcements produced by the organization;
• organizing special events, such as press conferences, exhibitions and launch ceremonies
• Initiating and planning PR Campaigns;
• Developing and edit press releases, in houses newsletters, speeches, articles, etc.
• In close coordination with the Rector’s office, coordinate the preparation and distribution of Monthly and Annual Reports,
• Working with the Multinational Project Team and other AVU staff members in reviewing, updating, and producing marketing brochures, handouts, direct mails leaflets, promotional videos, photographs, films and multimedia programs
• Constantly updating the Project related information on the AVU Website;
• Ensuring that the content of the AVU website is up to date, attractive, informative, user friendly and easily accessible
• Liaising with electronic and print media agencies in promoting the AVU and the Multinational Project (local and international newspapers, magazines, radio and television);
• To assess the competitive environment for existing and potential AVU programs, products and services by identifying other organizations that provide competition or support products and services
• Answering queries from individuals, journalists and other organizations; and
• Performing other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

3.0. Deliverables and Expected Outcomes

• Communication and Marketing strategy reviewed
• A well publicized AVU Phase II AfDB-funded Multinational Support Project
• Distribution of reports, press releases and announcements
• PR campaigns initiated
• Press releases, reports, newsletters and marketing material produced
• AVU Website constantly updated
• Conferences and events updated
• Special events, press conferences and exhibitions organized throughout the project implementation especially during: the project’s launch; workshops; site visits; e-Learning Centre launches and completion of project activities.
• Synergy built between the Multinational Project and other AVU projects and services

4.0. Qualifications of the Consultant

• A master's level degree in communications, marketing or a related field or a bachelor's degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience at a Senior level in the field
• Proven track record producing, implementing and tracking the results of communications/marketing strategies
• Track record of successfully launching media campaigns across Africa (and internationally would be an asset as would strong working relationships with media across Africa)
• Experience producing and implementing communications/marketing strategies experience using new media technologies in communications/marketing campaigns
• Strong writing skills with the ability to produce background papers, news release, feature stories, reports and briefing notes
• Experience in event management and coordination specifically the ability to successfully coordinate events that may be outside of Kenya
• Experience creating, managing and administering a communications/marketing budget and procurement of vendors
• web experience specifically the ability to update html content and to write for the web
• Knowledge of AVU corporate strategy is an added advantage.
• Experience working within a university or ICT setting would be an asset
• knowledge of Higher education in Africa is an asset
• Bilingualism (English French) is an asset

5.0. Modalities of Work

• This is a full time employment

6.0 Reporting

The officer will work under the coordination of the AVU Rector or such other person as the client may designate from time to time in writing.

7.0 Payment

The salary will be commensurate with the qualification and experience of the successful candidate

The African Virtual University (AVU) is an equal opportunity employer

The successful candidate will be appointed for 2 years renewable

Application must include detailed curriculum vitae with a telephone number, an email and residential address, names and contact addresses of three professional references

Applications should be sent to Ms Catherine Wangeci at cwangeci@avu.org with a copy to rector@avu.org

The successful candidate will be based at the AVU Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya

The closing date for this application is January 12th 2012 at 12:00 p.m. East African Time (UTC/GMT + 3)