Communication Specialist

Organization: Oromia National Regional State

Program: Oromia Forested Landscape Program – Emission Reduction Program (OFLP-ERP)

Position Title: Communication Specialist

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, OEPA Office

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension based on performance)

Background

The Oromia Forested Landscape Program – Emission Reduction Program (OFLP-ERP) is a national pilot initiative serving as the programmatic umbrella and coordination platform for multi-sector and multi-partner interventions targeting forested landscapes throughout Oromia. The program aims to reduce net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from land use sectors across all 287 rural woredas in the region. The Government of Ethiopia, through the support of the World Bank’s BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes, is implementing OFLP-ERP to promote equitable, sustainable, and low-carbon development. The grant supports community-driven activities that reduce deforestation, enhance forest carbon stocks, and improve land use management in 49 selected districts, laying the groundwork for an Emission Reduction Purchase Agreement (ERPA) to sell up to 10 million tons of CO₂ emission reductions. OFLP-ERP is led by OEPA with implementation coordinated by the Oromia Forested Landscape Program Coordination Unit (ORCU). To support effective implementation, OEPA seeks to recruit a Communication Specialist.

Key Responsibilities

The Communication Specialist will play a central role in ensuring that OFLP-ERP is well-understood by stakeholders across Oromia. Responsibilities include: leading state-wide information campaigns to promote awareness and engagement; supervising communication activities within the OFLP-ERP work plan; advising on external communication-related monitoring activities; developing and implementing the program’s communication strategy; building the communication capacity of ORCU staff and field coordinators; coordinating media engagement and outreach programs; organizing community workshops and consultation sessions; leading the creation of OFLP-ERP newsletters and behavioral change programs; supporting communication aspects of safeguards, Benefit Sharing Mechanisms (BSM), and Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM); and performing any other communication-related duties as assigned by the Program Coordinator.

Expected Deliverables

Annual work plan and budget (AWPB) and periodic progress reports. Documented lessons learned from program implementation. Communication tools, templates, training materials, and ToRs. Contributions to Forest Management Information System development. Reports from advocacy events, field visits, and outreach programs.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education: MA/BA in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Social Sciences, or related field.
Experience: Minimum 8 years (MA) or 10 years (BA) in communication, public engagement, or government-civil society dialogue. Experience with development communication, social impact evaluation, and cross-sectoral coordination.
Skills: Strong analytical, reporting, and presentation skills. Excellent written and verbal communication in English, Amharic, and Afan Oromo (fluency in English is mandatory). Knowledge of OFLP-ERP, climate change, and safeguard policies is an asset. Familiarity with collaborative tools and information-sharing platforms.

Supervision

The Communication Specialist will report to the OFLP-ERP Program Coordinator and work closely with the ORCU team and other stakeholders involved in the program.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit their application letter, CV, copies of academic and work experience certificates, and any supporting documents within 15 working days of this announcement.

Deadline: May 16

Submission Address: Oromia Environmental Protection Authority (OEPA), Human Resource Management Directorate.
Location: On the road from Pushkin Square to Kera, Oromia Bureaus New Buildings, 7th Floor, Finfinne (Addis Ababa)
Phone: 011 838 8193