Communications Specialist, Development Outreach and Communications Service at Management Systems International

Please Note: Only Kenyan citizens are eligible for this position.

Position Summary:

The Communications Specialist will support USAID/Kenya and East Africa's Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Services task order through August/September 2018. The Communications Specialist will work full-time to provide support to the development of communications products and publications focused upon USAIDs development strategy, as well as lead the production of high quality, brand-compliant, multimedia information products and visual assets.

Responsibilities:

Social Media and Media Monitoring

• The Communications Specialist will be responsible for managing the projects presence in social media and for the creation of content necessary to grow the USAID mission's engagement within the sector. S/he will also focus on content creation, basic online graphics and development of products/messages for public access and online platforms including website, Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.
• Author brief social media postings with corresponding links and source appropriate images for the postings.
• Schedule and post social media content as per the content calendar and obtain approvals for content prior to publishing.
• Produce social media toolkits and contribute to the daily management of several accounts.
• Provide analytics, identify trends and develop creative inputs.
• Review daily press and produce media monitoring reports.

Event Coverage

• Prepare website stories.
• Engage in media calls and prepare press kits.
• Take, edit and post photos.
• Update media contact lists.
• Prepare event specific media monitoring reports.

Gathering Content from the Field

• Gather stories from implementing partners via field visits at the discretion of the COR.
• Produce various products from field content including Flickr photo albums, Transforming Lives and Exposure photo stories that reflect USAID reach and impact with a human-interest focus.
• Prepare content for use in other publications including annual reports, e-newsletters and brochures and videos.

Strategic Planning

• Provide input into strategy review sessions on a quarterly basis
• Assist in developing an agenda and a presentation that:
  • Reviews and assesses MSI communications work in the previous quarter using indicators established by the overall communications strategy;
  • Highlight successes, challenges and recommendations;
  • Synthesizes journalist participation and press coverage; and
  • Pitches potential stories or identifies gaps in content based on field work and research.

Coordination Meetings

• Support coordination of quarterly meetings with IP communication staff.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Communications or a relevant related field of study. Master's degree preferred.
• 3-5 years of related public relations, public outreach or Communications for Development experience
• Demonstrated experience producing and editing written products such as social media messages, news/blog articles, reports, fact sheets, speeches, success stories, and press releases
• English language skills at the S/5 and R/5 level to perform communications technical services.
• Ability to travel as needed throughout Kenya and East Africa
• USAID experience is a plus
• Ability to work well in a team

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
MSI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer.

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