David Akana Email & Phone Number

Dakar Region, Senegal

Yaoundé, Centre, Cameroon

As a member of the steering committee, I play a key role in governing the Global Commons Alliance (GCA) strategy. I contribute to decision-making regarding the Alliance's programmatic, operational, and policy priorities and positions. Additionally, I assist in making governance decisions related to strategy and annual budgets to support the GCA's development and growth. A central aspect of my work also involves ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental principles in all our… Show more As a member of the steering committee, I play a key role in governing the Global Commons Alliance (GCA) strategy. I contribute to decision-making regarding the Alliance's programmatic, operational, and policy priorities and positions. Additionally, I assist in making governance decisions related to strategy and annual budgets to support the GCA's development and growth. A central aspect of my work also involves ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental principles in all our efforts. I oversee and provide support to the GCA coordination team as well. Show less

Remote

Editorial ManagementAs the Head of the Bureau, I oversee programs in Africa, ensuring that key objectives, including content production goals, are met. I manage day-to-day personnel in the Africa bureau, which includes conducting regular check-in calls with employees, facilitating staff meetings to coordinate efforts and maintain cohesiveness, and responding to questions and requests from both the team and the public. As the person responsible for overseeing all staff, I… Show more Editorial ManagementAs the Head of the Bureau, I oversee programs in Africa, ensuring that key objectives, including content production goals, are met. I manage day-to-day personnel in the Africa bureau, which includes conducting regular check-in calls with employees, facilitating staff meetings to coordinate efforts and maintain cohesiveness, and responding to questions and requests from both the team and the public. As the person responsible for overseeing all staff, I motivate team members, evaluate employee performance, and approve personal leave and expense requests. I also recruit and select journalists for both staff and freelance positions. Additionally, I oversee and adapt Mongabay’s marketing and audience engagement strategies in Africa.I develop and manage ongoing editorial and co-publishing partnerships between Mongabay and other media outlets throughout Africa, and I facilitate journalism training and capacity-building activities. Lastly, I write, edit, and post stories using Mongabay’s content management system (WordPress) as needed.Grant Management and Financial Adminstration I manage and track the progress of project objectives and budget to ensure compliance with grant and audit requirements. I collaborate with program and operations staff to make sure that grant reports are submitted on time, align with grant objectives, and highlight the broader impacts of Mongabay’s reporting, as well as the ongoing need for funding on these important issues. Strategic Planning and Development I am responsible for setting the overall strategic direction of the bureau and working collaboratively with Mongabay’s Global Program Director to ensure we meet our program objectives. I engage in significant outreach and public engagement efforts with senior government officials, the diplomatic corps, media, scientists, researchers, development stakeholders, and youth and women in Africa. Show less

Dakar, Senegal

Editorial and financial management of Rainforest Journalism Fund;Recruiting project proposals from global, regional, and national independent and staff journalists;Developing strategic partnerships with news media;Vetting relevant proposals received from potential granteesHelping in the broad dissemination of funded stories to achieve impactLeading the development of journalism training programs and conducting remote and in-personon diverse topics including climate… Show more Editorial and financial management of Rainforest Journalism Fund;Recruiting project proposals from global, regional, and national independent and staff journalists;Developing strategic partnerships with news media;Vetting relevant proposals received from potential granteesHelping in the broad dissemination of funded stories to achieve impactLeading the development of journalism training programs and conducting remote and in-personon diverse topics including climate change, data visualization, narrative, and descriptive writingand a wide environment and sustainability topics;Outputs of the grant include landmark multimedia stories published in key regional media. Show less

Remote

Develop a resource communication and outreach strategy for the AU Green Recovery Action Plan;Increase awareness and understanding of AU green recovery initiatives across state members and mobilize support for the plan;Develop an online platform of key stakeholders (national, regional and global) for sharing AU Green Recovery Action Plan related communications, progress and funding opportunities;Prepare fact sheets and collateral/materials that effectively communicate the… Show more Develop a resource communication and outreach strategy for the AU Green Recovery Action Plan;Increase awareness and understanding of AU green recovery initiatives across state members and mobilize support for the plan;Develop an online platform of key stakeholders (national, regional and global) for sharing AU Green Recovery Action Plan related communications, progress and funding opportunities;Prepare fact sheets and collateral/materials that effectively communicate the AU Green Recovery Action Plan based on the Continental Green Economic Recovery Status Reports and Policy Briefs developedby the Green Economic Advisor;Prepare investment fact sheets and briefs for the two annual Donor/Investors Round Table meetings to mobilize resources for the plan;Support the Green Economic Advisor to organize two annual continental technical meetings with relevant stakeholders, including Country Based Economic Advisors, country champions and Finance Ministriesamong others;Organize and prepare press releases, speaking notes and presentations for the commission for joint Knowledge and learning events during andpost Covid19, to inform /sharpen Africa messages to policymakers. Organize events related to Green economic recovery, the AU summit, AMCEN and CAHOSCC, CoPs, among others;Communicate quarterly publications/newsletters on the progress of the AU Green Recovery Action Plan across stakeholders, including media coverage with members states and partners across the continent;Work with the NDC Partnership Support Unit communications team and the UK Government to jointly promote the results of the Partnership Planimplementation, both nationally and internationally. Show less

Dakar, Senegal

Editorial management of “Our Future on Earth 2020” (determining outline, scope, topics, and finalcontent);Commissioning chapters and reviewing final content before publication;Contributing to developing and implementing strategic communications of the report (this year,the media and outreach strategy allowed us to have coverage in The Guardian, Thomson Reuters,and op-eds in The Conversation and Project Syndicate.)

Dakar, Senegal

Overall responsibility for CORAF’s communication and marketing, including publications, media outreach, and online content on websites, social media channels, and newsletters; Communicating, educating, and increasing the awareness of development partners about the development outcomes and impacts of CORAF’s interventions via diverse media (the web and social media, publications, policy papers, trial summaries, videos, germplasm information, photo essays, etc.); Identifying, documenting,… Show more Overall responsibility for CORAF’s communication and marketing, including publications, media outreach, and online content on websites, social media channels, and newsletters; Communicating, educating, and increasing the awareness of development partners about the development outcomes and impacts of CORAF’s interventions via diverse media (the web and social media, publications, policy papers, trial summaries, videos, germplasm information, photo essays, etc.); Identifying, documenting, producing, and helping leverage compelling success stories and positive reports about CORAF’s research outputs for diverse audiences and formats; Managing external service providers, including authors, translators, reviewers, editors, indexers, designers, proofreaders, printers and other providers of publishing-related services; Checking and correcting content and proofs (in English and French) to ensure conformity with guidelines, style, and quality, during the production process; Managing the development of content for publishing, including participation in the development of editorial concepts, commissioning of content, and establishment of publishing partnerships; Overseeing the finalization and leading the implementation of a new institution-wide branding guideline ensuring a consistent identity;Devising plans and leading communications at major events (notably Africa Green Revolution Forum 2018 and 2019, the Sahel and West Africa Club Annual meetings in Paris and across West Africa, major trade fairs across West Africa, etc.); Coordinating the production of promotional videos and set up an active YouTube channel; Managing the pioneer online tv channel (Agripreneur TV) to engage youths through agricultural innovations; Developing and updating the reputational risk plan of CORAF and responsible for the implementation and coaching of the senior management team on diverse communications and outreach competencies. Show less

Abidjan

Drafted and implemented communications and knowledge management plans. Wrote and editedtalking points, briefers, op-ed pieces for placement in leading media outlets. Designed presentations for use internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership and conferences. Organized and coordinated event communications with other departments within the Bank. Developed and maintained websites and social media accounts. Managed media relations, including preparing press releases and media… Show more Drafted and implemented communications and knowledge management plans. Wrote and editedtalking points, briefers, op-ed pieces for placement in leading media outlets. Designed presentations for use internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership and conferences. Organized and coordinated event communications with other departments within the Bank. Developed and maintained websites and social media accounts. Managed media relations, including preparing press releases and media kits. Ensured the correct use of the AfDB logo as well as logos of various initiatives and projects. Coordinated communications during Evaluation Week and World Water Day. Led the development of dissemination strategies of country, corporate, and thematic evaluations. Wrote policy briefs and other summaries for Board members and other decision-makers. Wrote, edited, and published various communication products (press release, media advisory, press kit, annual report, talking points, feature stories on projects, blogs, end-of-year message, etc.). Led the drafting and publication of the 2015 annual report of the Independent Evaluation Office of the AfDB. Managed the identification of various audiences to improve the dissemination of IDEV knowledge products. Led the organization of internal knowledge sharing discussions and exchange forums. Coordinated the design and layout of knowledge products as well as the production of videos and audios. Translating knowledge documents from French to English. Show less

Washington Dc

Development and implementation of communications and knowledge management strategies. Managed the 2nd International Conference on Evaluating Climate Change and Development. Researched, wrote, and published blogs, press releases, articles, talking points, and general website content. Managed websites and social media. Coordinated the Climate-Eval Online Community of Practice. Supporting the engagement strategy of the GEF Independent Evaluation Office. Coordinated the organization of online… Show more Development and implementation of communications and knowledge management strategies. Managed the 2nd International Conference on Evaluating Climate Change and Development. Researched, wrote, and published blogs, press releases, articles, talking points, and general website content. Managed websites and social media. Coordinated the Climate-Eval Online Community of Practice. Supporting the engagement strategy of the GEF Independent Evaluation Office. Coordinated the organization of online webinars. Co-managed the production of two knowledge publications on how to evaluate climate change. Led the GEF IEO participation in the African Evaluation Association bi0annual conference in Yaounde, Cameroon. Show less

Yaounde

Initiated, researched, and planned ideas for stories and program segments. Wrote news stories and presented news on the radio. Packaged TV news stories on the environment and other general interest stories. Gathered material from press conferences and direct coverage of news events for program segments. Independently organized, edited, and produced reports and programs, including introductory and continuity material. Wrote and read news summary and hosted or anchored programs/live coverage… Show more Initiated, researched, and planned ideas for stories and program segments. Wrote news stories and presented news on the radio. Packaged TV news stories on the environment and other general interest stories. Gathered material from press conferences and direct coverage of news events for program segments. Independently organized, edited, and produced reports and programs, including introductory and continuity material. Wrote and read news summary and hosted or anchored programs/live coverage. Managed the environment news deck. Covered national, regional, and international events. Show less

London, United Kingdom

1. Researched, initiate and wrote articles on the Commonwealth. I discussed these ideas with my supervisor and when it was approved, I wrote the story for publication on the Commonwealth News and Information Service – the online publication of the Secretariat. 2. Monitored developments within the Commonwealth for potential story ideas and when I developed ideas, I shared them with my supervisor before writing on them. 3. Build a recipient data base for the Commonwealth News and… Show more 1. Researched, initiate and wrote articles on the Commonwealth. I discussed these ideas with my supervisor and when it was approved, I wrote the story for publication on the Commonwealth News and Information Service – the online publication of the Secretariat. 2. Monitored developments within the Commonwealth for potential story ideas and when I developed ideas, I shared them with my supervisor before writing on them. 3. Build a recipient data base for the Commonwealth News and Information Service. This recipient database was a list of thousands of people in Commonwealth member countries who received the e-bulletin each week. 4. Produced weekly reports for the e-bulletin and most of the reports were on activities of the Commonwealth Secretariat. 5. Participated in the general publicity of the Commonwealth Secretariat through participation in planning meetings for public events. Show less

Yaounde

Developed and wrote timely stories within deadlines and often ahead of competing news outlets; Delivered news and information for print and online platforms; Cultivated and maintained news sources and monitored developments in the news; Identified photographs, video and graphics to illustrate stories; Identified multimedia elements and was in charge of conceiving different forms of news delivery, which could enrich stories. Sometimes, I evaluated story tips from the public… Show more Developed and wrote timely stories within deadlines and often ahead of competing news outlets; Delivered news and information for print and online platforms; Cultivated and maintained news sources and monitored developments in the news; Identified photographs, video and graphics to illustrate stories; Identified multimedia elements and was in charge of conceiving different forms of news delivery, which could enrich stories. Sometimes, I evaluated story tips from the public. Participated in staff development and training; Monitored and consulted regularly with my editor for potential story ideas; Proofread and fact-checked stories before publication. Show less

Master'S Degree, Multimedia Journalism

International Development Evaluation

Program Evaluation

Climate Change

Bachelor'S Degree, Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs

Master'S Degree, Business And International Relations

Master Of Science - Ms, Business And International Relations, 3.5

Master'S Degree, Business And International Relations

Education record