Individual Consultant as Communication Assistant — East Africa Girls' Empowerment and Resilience

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT) Country: Ethiopia Name of Project: Eastern and Southern Africa Girls’ Empowerment and Resilience (EAGER) programme Grant No : P179293 Assignment Title : Individual Consultant as a Communication Assistant Reference No . ET-AUC-559232-CS-INDV The African Union Commission has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of Eastern and Southern Africa Girls’ Empowerment and Resilience (EAGER) programme and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services (“the Services”) include supporting the implementation of the EAGER Communications and Visibility Strategy by ensuring timely delivery of communication products, visibility activities, digital content, media engagement, and knowledge-sharing outputs for the project. Specific tasks include: Communication Planning and Coordination Support implementation of the EAGER Communications and Visibility Strategy and related annual and quarterly communication workplans. Assist in preparing editorial calendars, campaign schedules, dissemination plans, and communication tracking tools. Coordinate communication tasks and follow-up actions with WGYD, AUC departments, country teams, consultants, and service providers. Content Development and Editorial Support Draft, edit, and format high-quality communication and advocacy materials, including press releases, fact sheets, briefing notes, newsletters, web stories, speeches, talking points, and success stories. Support the development of human-interest stories, beneficiary profiles, and field-based documentation of project achievements. Ensure all written materials are clear, accurate, audience-appropriate, and aligned with AU institutional standards and EAGER messaging. Proofread and quality-check communication outputs before dissemination. Digital Communication and Social Media Support management of EAGER-related digital content across designated AUC communication platforms. Draft and schedule social media content in line with approved content calendars. Assist in producing multimedia content, including captions, graphics, short videos, reels, and visual cards. Monitor online engagement and compile regular analytics and performance summaries. Website and Knowledge Management Support Support content updating for the EAGER landing page and other designated knowledge-sharing platforms. Organize and maintain a repository of communication assets, including photographs, videos, publications, templates, and approved messages. Assist in compiling materials for learning bulletins, knowledge notes, regional updates, and communities of practice. Contribute to the documentation and dissemination of innovations, lessons learned, and best practices emerging from project implementation. Branding, Visibility, and Compliance Ensure that communication and visibility materials comply with approved EAGER branding requirements, including use of African Union and World Bank logos and other visual identity standards. Support the preparation of branded materials for events, workshops, campaigns, and public engagements. Maintain an organized archive of approved templates, branded assets, and visibility materials. Support internal review and clearance processes for communication outputs, where applicable. Media and Public Engagement Support media relations activities, including maintaining media contact lists, preparing media advisories, and assisting in the organization of media events and interviews. Prepare media kits, background notes, key messages, and other public information materials for project milestones and events. Monitor media coverage related to the EAGER Project and prepare summaries and clippings. Support amplification of major project announcements, campaigns, and achievements. Event Communication Support Support communication planning and visibility arrangements for project launches, workshops, meetings, campaigns, consultations, and other events. Prepare event communication materials, including invitation text, programmes, agendas, banners, backdrops, speeches, and post-event summaries. Support photography, videography, and post-event dissemination of communication outputs. Assist in producing concise event reports and highlight notes. Monitoring, Reporting, and General Support Track communication outputs and relevant indicators to support project reporting requirements. Contribute to monthly, quarterly, and annual communication updates and reports. Maintain updated records of published products, coverage, approvals, and dissemination. Support administrative and procurement-related inputs for communication activities, where required and in line with AU procedures. Perform any other duties assigned by the Regional Project Coordinator and/or WGYD management in support of the EAGER Project. These responsibilities reflect the priority workstreams identified in the EAGER communications strategy, including branding, website support, content development, campaign scaling, knowledge sharing, social norms messaging, and media relations. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this Request for Expression of Interest. The African Union Commission now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are: The Communications Assistant shall possess the following qualifications and experience: A Bachelors Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Studies, Development Studies, International Relations, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, or another relevant field; a Master’s degree will be an added advantage; A minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience in communications, public information, media, advocacy, or knowledge management; Demonstrated experience in drafting, editing, and packaging communication materials for institutional, development, or policy audiences; Proven experience in digital communications and social media content management; Experience supporting communication work for development programmes, public institutions, regional organisations, or international partners; Familiarity with branding, visibility, and quality assurance requirements for donor-supported programmes; Strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple outputs under tight deadlines; Knowledge of gender equality, girls’ empowerment, youth development, or social development programming in Africa will be an advantage; Prior experience working with the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, governments, or multilateral institutions will be an added advantage; Willingness and ability to travel, as required. Competencies and Skills The Communications Assistant shall demonstrate: Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills; Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills; Ability to work effectively under supervision and meet deadlines; Sound coordination and stakeholder engagement skills; Attention to detail and commitment to quality; Discretion, professionalism, and respect for confidentiality; Proficiency in standard office and communication tools; Ability to manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced institutional environment. § The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016, revised November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours i.e. 0900 to 1700 hours . Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by 24 July 2026 African Union Commission, Attn: Head of Supply Chain Management Division Building C, 3rd Floor, P.O Box 3243, Roosevelt Street Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: +251 (0) 11 551 7700 – Ext 4305 Fax: +251 (0) 11 551 0442; +251 11-551-0430 E-mails: Tender@AfricanUnion.org TERMS OF REFERENCE COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EAST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA GIRLS' EMPOWERMENT AND RESILIENCE (EAGER) PROJECT Ref: ET-AUC-559232-CS-INDV Background The African Union Commission (AUC) and the World Bank Group have established a strategic partnership and an extensive collaboration in various areas over the past years. Following increased engagement between the Commission and the World Bank, existing collaborations and new programmes on gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) have been established. In 2023, the AU and World Bank signed an agreement to implement the East and Southern Africa Girls’ Empowerment and Resilience (EAGER) Project, to be implemented from 2024 to 2029. The project provides a platform to directly collaborate with AU Member States across Eastern and Southern Africa on women and girls’ empowerment. The EAGER project seeks to increase girls’ and women’s educational attainment and earnings and to strengthen the institutional capacity to implement gender equality policies. The programme components include boosting human capital accumulation, enabling access to productive employment, and building the enabling environment to generate change across both formal and informal institutions, including development of policies and regulatory frameworks, markets, and social norms that support the adoption of progressive gender equality reforms. Objective of the Assignment The overall objective of this assignment is to support the implementation of the EAGER Communications and Visibility Strategy by ensuring timely delivery of communication products, visibility activities, digital content, media engagement, and knowledge-sharing outputs for the project. Specifically, the Communications Assistant shall: Support visibility, transparency, and accountability for the EAGER Project; Contribute to awareness-raising on issues affecting girls’ and young women’s empowerment; Support communication campaigns and social norms messaging related to girls’ empowerment and gender equality; Ensure communication outputs comply with approved African Union and World Bank visibility and branding requirements. Assist in documenting and disseminating project results, good practices, and lessons learned; Duty Station The Communications Assistant is expected to be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the African Union Headquarters, specifically within the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD). He/She shall avail time for any travel pertinent to EAGER as requested by the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD), and/or the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHSD), and/or the African Union International Centre for Girls and Women’s Education in Africa (AUCIEFFA). Activities and Deliverables The African Union Commission seeks the services of a qualified professional to execute the role of Communications Assistant. Duties and Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Regional Project Coordinator and working closely with the Communications Specialist, the Communications Assistant shall be responsible for the following: 4.1 Communication Planning and Coordination Support implementation of the EAGER Communications and Visibility Strategy and related annual and quarterly communication workplans. Assist in preparing editorial calendars, campaign schedules, dissemination plans, and communication tracking tools. Coordinate communication tasks and follow-up actions with WGYD, AUC departments, country teams, consultants, and service providers. 4.2 Content Development and Editorial Support Draft, edit, and format high-quality communication and advocacy materials, including press releases, fact sheets, briefing notes, newsletters, web stories, speeches, talking points, and success stories. Support the development of human-interest stories, beneficiary profiles, and field-based documentation of project achievements. Ensure all written materials are clear, accurate, audience-appropriate, and aligned with AU institutional standards and EAGER messaging. Proofread and quality-check communication outputs before dissemination. 4.3 Digital Communication and Social Media Support management of EAGER-related digital content across designated AUC communication platforms. Draft and schedule social media content in line with approved content calendars. Assist in producing multimedia content, including captions, graphics, short videos, reels, and visual cards. Monitor online engagement and compile regular analytics and performance summaries. 4.4 Website and Knowledge Management Support Support content updating for the EAGER landing page and other designated knowledge-sharing platforms. Organize and maintain a repository of communication assets, including photographs, videos, publications, templates, and approved messages. Assist in compiling materials for learning bulletins, knowledge notes, regional updates, and communities of practice. Contribute to the documentation and dissemination of innovations, lessons learned, and best practices emerging from project implementation. 4.5 Branding, Visibility, and Compliance Ensure that communication and visibility materials comply with approved EAGER branding requirements, including use of African Union and World Bank logos and other visual identity standards. Support the preparation of branded materials for events, workshops, campaigns, and public engagements. Maintain an organized archive of approved templates, branded assets, and visibility materials. Support internal review and clearance processes for communication outputs, where applicable. 4.6 Media and Public Engagement Support media relations activities, including maintaining media contact lists, preparing media advisories, and assisting in the organization of media events and interviews. Prepare media kits, background notes, key messages, and other public information materials for project milestones and events. Monitor media coverage related to the EAGER Project and prepare summaries and clippings. Support amplification of major project announcements, campaigns, and achievements. 4.7 Event Communication Support Support communication planning and visibility arrangements for project launches, workshops, meetings, campaigns, consultations, and other events. Prepare event communication materials, including invitation text, programmes, agendas, banners, backdrops, speeches, and post-event summaries. Support photography, videography, and post-event dissemination of communication outputs. Assist in producing concise event reports and highlight notes. 4.8 Monitoring, Reporting, and General Support Track communication outputs and relevant indicators to support project reporting requirements. Contribute to monthly, quarterly, and annual communication updates and reports. Maintain updated records of published products, coverage, approvals, and dissemination. Support administrative and procurement-related inputs for communication activities, where required and in line with AU procedures. Perform any other duties assigned by the Regional Project Coordinator and/or WGYD management in support of the EAGER Project. These responsibilities reflect the priority workstreams identified in the EAGER communications strategy, including branding, website support, content development, campaign scaling, knowledge sharing, social norms messaging, and media relations. 6. Expected Deliverables The Communications Assistant shall deliver, at a minimum, the following: Monthly and quarterly communication implementation updates; Drafted and finalized communication products, including press releases, stories, briefing notes, newsletters, social media packages, and web content; Updated editorial and social media content calendars; Event communication packages and post-event reports; Organized digital archives of approved communication materials and visibility assets; Periodic media monitoring and social media analytics reports; Contributions to learning products, knowledge briefs, and documentation of good practices and lessons learned; Any other communication outputs assigned by the Regional Project Coordinator in support of the EAGER Project. 7. Qualifications and Work Experience Required The Communications Assistant shall possess the following qualifications and experience: A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Studies, Development Studies, International Relations, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, or another relevant field; a Master’s degree will be an added advantage; A minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience in communications, public information, media, advocacy, or knowledge management; Demonstrated experience in drafting, editing, and packaging communication materials for institutional, development, or policy audiences; Proven experience in digital communications and social media content management; Experience supporting communication work for development programmes, public institutions, regional organisations, or international partners; Familiarity with branding, visibility, and quality assurance requirements for donor-supported programmes; Strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple outputs under tight deadlines; Knowledge of gender equality, girls’ empowerment, youth development, or social development programming in Africa will be an advantage; Prior experience working with the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, governments, or multilateral institutions will be an added advantage; Willingness and ability to travel, as required. 8. Competencies and Skills The Communications Assistant shall demonstrate: Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills; Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills; Ability to work effectively under supervision and meet deadlines; Sound coordination and stakeholder engagement skills; Attention to detail and commitment to quality; Discretion, professionalism, and respect for confidentiality; Proficiency in standard office and communication tools; Ability to manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced institutional environment. · 9. Language Requirement Proficiency in one AU working language (English, French, Arabic, Kiswahili, Portuguese, or Spanish) is required. Fluency in English is mandatory; knowledge of another AU language is an advantage. Reporting and Supervision The Communications Assistant will report to the Regional Programme Coordinator and work under the supervision of the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD) of the African Union Commission. Terms of Payment and Duration The Communications Assistant shall be remunerated based on experience, task load and will be guided by AUC considerations on equivalent professional level and rates. The contract will cover 12 months, with the possibility to extend based on successful performance.