The Government of the Republic of Ghana has received an Adaptable Programme Loan (APL) from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank and grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund towards the cost of implementing the Ghana Component of the West Africa Regional Fisheries Programme (WARFP-Ghana). The overall coordination of West Africa Regional Fisheries Programme resides in the Regional Coordination Unit at the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission Office in Dakar, Senegal. The Ghana WARFP now intends to apply part of the proceeds of these facilities for the payment under the contracts for a Communication Specialist to manage the information, education and communication activities of the Ghana WARFP.activities of the Ghana WARFP.

The WARFP-Ghana consists of five (5) components, namely:
Component 1 - Good Governance and Sustainable Management of the Fisheries: This component aims to build the capacity of the Government and stakeholders to develop and implement policies through a shared approach that would ensure that the fish resources are used in a manner that is environmentally sustainable, socially equitable and economically profitable.

Component 2 - Reduction of Illegal Fishing: The component aims to reduce the illegal fishing activities threatening the sustainable management of the country's fish resources by strengthening fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) systems.

Component 3 - Increasing the Contribution of the Fish Resources to the National Economy: The component aims to identify and implement measures to increase the benefits to Ghana from the fish resources, by increasing the share of the value-added captured in the country.

Component 4 - Aquaculture Development: This component aims to set the framework for increased investment in inland aquaculture.

Component 5 - Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation and Regional Coordination: The component aims to support project implementation and regional coordination with the WARFP, ensuring that regular monitoring and evaluation is conducted, and the results are fed back into decision-making and project management.

The development objective of this project is to improve the sustainable management of Ghana's fish and aquatic resources.

Objectives of the Assignment:
The Communications Speciaiist will be part of the Project Management Team (PMT)ofthe West Africa Regional Fisheries Programme for Ghana and will assist in providing leadership in designing and implementing an effective communications strategy to sustain project activities, assure a high level of transparency and access to information, provide avenues for feedback to all stakeholders and mobilize support and appreciation for the various reforms and policies needed to move the fisheries sector forward.

Duties and Responsibilities of Communication Specialist:

Reporting to the WARFP-GH Project Coordinator, the Communications Speciaiist will ensure that the reforms in the Fisheries Commission have a unified and accurate public image. In doing so, he or she wiil develop both internal and external communications and presentations, as well as set design standards and guidelines for communication materials. He or she will, inter alia, cultivate relations with the media, civil society and other stakeholders, monitor the news regularly and establish a network of communications persons at all levels. The complete list of essential duties and responsibilities is presented below:

a. Develop a Communications Strategy and Work Plan for realizing Sub-Component 1.4: Social Marketing, Communication and Transparency of the project (reference WARFP Ghana ProjectAppraisal Document)

•   Lead the development of a communication strategy and prepare a fisheries- focused communications plan;
•   Implement the communications strategy and plan;
•   Periodically review the communications strategy, its objectives and audience' segmentation.

b.Within the context of Sub-component 1.4 of the WARFP for Ghana, inform and educate relevant stakeholders about the project  

•   Develop activity calendar and event dates in collaboration with the Public Relations Unit of the Fisheries Commission and other technical and administrative units of the Commission and the MOFAD;
•   Develop communication materials - press kits, newsletters, information briefs, etc. - by which to carry out relevant information, education and communication on the objectives and programmes of the project;
•   Answer reporters' queries and facilitate their research;
•   Write and disseminate press releases on newsworthy events on the project:
•   Facilitate timely development, organization and publication of fisheries and stakeholder focused press releases, documentaries, advertisements and other media and publicity events:
•   Train liaison officers and other Fisheries Commission staff to deliver social markettng/extension/behavior change communication to support the project.

c. Co-ordinate communications sub-contracts of the project

•   Determine the suitability of communication activities to be sub-contracted to media agencies;
•   Prepare the Terms of Reference for these contracts;
•   Supervise and quality control these communications sub-contracts;

d.Build consensus and rally support for the WARFP

•   Establish a network between the WARFP, Fisheries Commission, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and other Departments and Agencies to facilitate the flow of information;
•   Co-ordinate workshops/seminars for officials of relevant Departments and other stakeholders

Performance Criteria:The following criteria will be used to assess the performance of the M&E Specialist at regular intervals:

•   Timeliness of project monitoring and evaluation management activities;
•   Quality of documentation submitted for prior review
•   Quality and timeliness of reports

Role Profile:
The candidate for the Communication Specialist position will:

•   Be a seasoned communication practitioner with the capacity and proven track record and skill to formulate and implement excellent communication strategies towards achievable results;
•   Have knowledge and ability to effectively use communication strategy to manage and change attitudes and habits of target local communities;
•   Have good knowledge about the Ghanaian media and the communication landscape relative to fishing;
•   Be conversant with the design and implementation of fisheries industry tailored communication tools and materials development:
•   Be capable of developing a monitoring and evaluating platform for measuring the effectiveness of communication activities and target audience responses
•   Must have a proven record of having successfully executed a similar stakeholder information, education and communication project with success.

Common Considerations:

Remuneration: Competitive Salary
Location: Accra (but with country-wide scope)
Duration: Two (2) years (renewable yearly based on satisfactory performance)

Qualification Required & Experience

•   The candidate must have a Master's degree in journalism, public relations or communication from a recognized university or be a practitioner with more than ten (10) years practical experience. Fisheries related communication experience is a plus.
•   A post qualification experience in handling a communication project similar to what is being advertised by the VVARFP. Experience with a donor-funded project will he an advantage.
•   The candidate will have a strong working knowledge of local community communication processes as the job will involve constant interaction with local fishing community members and a range of other allied stakeholders.
•   The candidate must be research-oriented and have a good knowledge about the working system or dynamics of Ghana's media industry

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Qualified and interested applicants should send well addressed and sealed expressions of interest indicating clearly on the outer envelop the position been applied for to the business below not later than 2.00pm on Tuesday 8 July 2014.Submissions should include detailed curriculum vitae, copies of certificates and other relevant documentation

THE PROJECT COORDINATOR
WEST AFRICA REGIONAL FISHERIES PROJECT (WARFP) - GHANA FISHERIES COMMISSION PO BOX GP 630, ACCRA

TEL: 0208-128888
Location: Ministry of Communications (Second Floor, Room 14), Adjacent to Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Ministries, Accra.

Closing Date: 08 July, 2014

Reliable mobile number(s) and email addresse(es) must be included in the application to facilitate early and easy contact. Only short listed applicants will be contacted for interview.