Following the decision of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) General Assembly in Paris, on 27 November 2013, to award Dubai the hosting rights for a Universal Exposition, the Government of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) has been preparing to host Expo 2020 Dubai, which will run from 1 October 2021 until 31 March 2022, in Dubai with an expected attendance of about 195+ countries and 25 million visits. The upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai will be the 34^th Edition and the first World Expo to take place in the region spreading over the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), since its inception in 1851. It intends to bring participants and businesses closer to the world’s fastest growing markets and create opportunities for accessing a region of more than 3.2 billion people with a collective GDP of more than US$ 6.5 trillion.

In advancing the collaboration between the United Arab Emirates and the African Union (AU), the AU has been invited by the Government of the U.A.E to participate in the Dubai Expo 2020 and designated by the U.A.E Government as a key partner and stakeholder through the provision of a pavilion and strong spirit of collaboration and co-creation during every step leading to Expo 2020 Dubai.

As a continental organization consisting of 55 Member States on the African continent, the AU was established on 26 May 2001 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and launched on 9 July 2002, in South Africa replacing the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). In 2013, as part of its 50^th Anniversary, the AU adopted Agenda 2063, a blueprint for achieving an “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena”.

The AU’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai is justified by the opportunity for the organization’s quest to develop relevant partnerships to support the implementation of its Agenda 2063. Moreover, the AU will aim to capitalize on the strong concordance between the Expo 2020 sub-themes of “Sustainability, Mobility and Opportunity” and the Agenda 2063 flagship initiatives and priority programs.

2. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

In order to ensure a successful participation, the AU will need to develop and execute a Marketing and Communication plan for its preparation and to assist in the development and implementation of an AU Communication Strategy/Media plan, which will increase visibility for the AU activities and presence at the Expo.

In this regard, it is proposed that a Communication and PR Officer be identified and recruited to support the AU Commissioner General (AU CG) at Expo 2020 Dubai. He/she will be guided by the AU Agenda 2063 Framework Document and its First Ten-Year Implementation Plan 2014-2023. He/she will assist the AU Commissioner General at Expo 2020 Dubai in close collaboration with AUC Directorate for Information and Communication (DIC) and other relevant stakeholders to develop and execute the Communication Plan of the AU’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The overall objective of the proposed consultancy is to provide technical support to the Partnerships Management and Coordination Division in driving all communication aspects, outreach, in-house capacity building in communication skills, advocacy under this project, including coordination with AU accredited journalists who would be interested in covering AU activities at Expo 2020.

3. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Acting in his capacity of Communication and PR Officer under the Supervision of the AU Commissioner General at Expo 2020 Dubai, the Consultant will be required to perform the following activities:

• Support the AUC Expo Secretariat in close collaboration with the Directorate of Information and Communication (DIC) in developing and managing new Public Relations opportunities and strategies;
• Work with the Media/Communication Liaison Officer in communicating planned Media/PR activities, and coordinate and plan all operational communications activities;
• Support the coordinated efforts between AU DIC & Expo 2020 Communication and Marketing teams to increase awareness and drive traffic to AU Pavilion;
• Consult [upon request] all Communications Officers from relevant AUC Departments and AU Stakeholders as well as the Expo Communications and Media Operations teams;
• Identify and Position stories and “hooks” from AU/the Continent to help promote general awareness of AU participation at Expo 2020 to the media and general public;
• Work with AUC and EXPO assets – local communications coordinators, development coordinators and agency directors -- on tracking in-country PR efforts to ensure that appropriate topics/events “rise” to international PR level;
• Assist the AU Commissioner General at the Expo 2020 Dubai in developing and maintaining constant branding communications engagement between AU and its stakeholders;
• Support the AU CG in preparing and disseminating media training and managing crisis communications as required, as well as developing messaging and handling media inquiries, interviews, presentations and speaking engagements;
• Assist in planning, execution and coverage of pre-events within Africa and AU programming at the Expo 2020 Dubai in collaboration with the AUC Expo Secretariat;
• Field media inquiries and present proposed responses to the AU Commissioner General at the Expo 2020 Dubai;
• Develop publicity plans based on new pursuits and provide strategic counsel on communication needs to the team as necessary;
• Develop a quarterly publicity tactical plan as part of the overall communications strategy and propose the evaluation framework of the publicity plan;
• Lead the creation and use of consistent and powerful publicity platforms that advance Expo 2020 vision and mission with engaging messages;
• Develop a system of two-way communications that elevates the voice of all targeted stakeholders;
• Propose tier and stakeholder specific media contact lists;
• Propose surveys, polls, and focus groups commissioned for and produced in relation to AU participation at Expo 2020 Dubai;
• Strategize ways to optimize non-traditional communications;
• Collaborate with field-based staff and AU taskforce to proactively source, write, and recommend key story packages that advance Expo 2020 mission and vision;
• Ensure prudence and cost effectiveness in the management of the responsibilities assigned;
• Carry out any other Communication/Public Relation responsibilities as may be assigned by the AU Commissioner General at Expo 2020 Dubai.

4. KEY DELIVERABLES AND SCHEDULE 

The consultant shall submit a monthly progress report on the implementation of activities listed above. 

5. REPORTING AND COMMUNICATION:

The Consultant will report to Dr. Levi Uche Madueke, AU Commissioner General at Expo 2020 Dubai

6. Duty Station

Alternatively Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Dubai, United Arab Emirates

7. DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT AND CONSULTANCY FEE

The appointment will be made as a consultancy agreement for a period of six (6) months, starting from 1^st June 2021 and ending 31^st December 2021, with possibility for extension.

The Remuneration package will be USD $27,000 for the stipulated period, payable on a monthly basis, upon satisfactory delivery in accordance with the Terms of Reference and as certified by the AU Commissioner General at the Expo 2020 Dubai.

The AUC will be responsible for providing the necessary resources related to the successful implementation of assigned responsibilities.

The AUC will also provide an economy class return ticket to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to the successful applicant.

8. QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• At least a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management, Strategic Marketing, Communication, Public Relations or a related field;
• At least 5 years previous experience in event media relations, development, implementation or management of corporate marketing communication strategies and production of creative content in Africa;
• Knowledge of multi-stakeholder engagement processes and AU programmes will be an advantage;
• Knowledge and experience in working with broadcast industries, media companies or communication teams in the corporate world/international organizations;
• Experience and expertise regarding global partnership for effective development and development cooperation based on previous work experience in a multilateral institution;
• Knowledge and experience;
• Conversant with the working culture and environment of the AUC and ability to engage with the leadership and staff of the AUC;
• Proficiency in at least one of the AU working languages (English, French, Arabic and Portuguese) is a must (oral and written);
• Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to lead and work in a multicultural environment and good interpersonal skills;
• Planning and organizing: Good planning, multitasking and capacity for timely delivery;
• Be a citizen of one of the AU Member States or Diaspora (as per AU definition).

9. EVALUATION AND QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

The African Union Commission now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested candidate must provide information demonstrating that he/she has the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. 

For evaluation of the expressions of interest, the following criteria will be applied:

1. General Education Qualification and Relevant Training (40 points);
2. Experience Related to the Assignment (60 points);

Interested candidates should submit their Personal Curriculum Vitae (CV), indicating all past experience for similar projects, as well as their contact details (email and telephone numbers). 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 8:00-13:00hrs and 14:00-17:00 hours Local Time.

Proposal must be delivered in a written form to the address below not later than 15:00 hours local time, 24^th May 2021.

African Union Commission,

Attn: Carine Toure Yemitia (Mrs.)

Head of Procurement Travel and Store Division

Building C, Room 327

P.O. Box 3243,Roosevelt Street

OR

Tender@africa-union.org