Communication Manager at TradeMark East Africa (TMEA)

Roles and responsibilities 
Strategy planning & Reporting

• Provide supporttDirector of Communication in developing the Corporate Communications Strategy, including:
• annual communication plans and budgeting, results tracking and reporting with a focus on corporate and stakeholder communication of results.
• advise the senior TMA team, programme partners and agencies in implementation of the agreed strategy and in dealing with identified crisis issues.
• develop and maintain consistent messaging for the organisation, impact areas, countries/clusters, and key issue and campaigns.
• help shape issues management 
• crisis communication 
• operate as a trusted communication leader in the organisation, providing insightful, thoughtful, and relevant counsel tthe Senior Leadership Team, regional, country and functional-cross cutting teams.

CEO's Office Support

• Support the CEOs office in creating, collating, and packaging marketing and communications information about TMAs key results and impacts tsupport fundraising. 
• Under the direction of the Communications Director, manage the CEO’s corporate communications requirements tincrease TMA’s visibility among key stakeholders. Tinclude identify and target audiences andstakeholders teffectively position TMA as a key aid-for-trade organisation and advocate on the topics centraltour work, raise the profile of these and our points of view, position the relevant members of TMA as expertson these topics, and highlight the successes and impact of the organisations whom we are funding.
• Focal Point with Board, Donor institutions and Senior Leadership Team tdevelop partnership opportunities in close collaboration with Communication Director and Programme teams. In this role, the incumbent will represent the unit in partner convened processes relating tbrand positioning. 
• Prepare periodic reports tthe CEand prepare briefings tmeetings of the Council and Board of Directors. 
• Create and execute action-oriented experiences for CEand board members such as mission visits tidentified programmes and partners, media engagements, participation in global convenings and campaigns. Coordinatesuch identified engagements.
• Share lessons learned from the field and TMA’s research based technical approaches tAid for Trade issues in Eastern Africa and provide insights tthe program teams tposition TMA for future collaborations and funding opportunities.

Job description

• Expert Support in Programme Communications: Partner with TMA Regional Directors and Country leads tbuild strategic communication intprogrammes 
• Review portfoliwork with regional and country directors texplore, design and undertake strategic communications initiativesfor TMA supported programmes and grantees; prioritise on quick win efforts tbuild awareness and push agendas.
• Advise and coach regional and country directors as well as communication focal points on communications objectives, strategy and tactics and advise on maximising visibility opportunities sustainably. 
• Mainstream programme communication principles within programme management cycle through collaboration with teams ttailor-made communication solutions for individual programmes in consideration of social political climate. Includes: Work plans, budgets and implementation plans. 
• Develop and execute integrated communication campaigns and standalone tactics tsupport programmatic goals and fuel positive change.
• Support country teams remotely and in country tdevelop and execute strategic communications projects, provide quality assurance and dotted line support tin-country based communication focal points which report intthe country team.

Content Development & Dissemination

• Review, develop and re-purpose information and messages for TMAs audiences using a variety of media including TMAs owned media (Website, Intranet, Extranet, Social Media Platforms).
• Lead continuous innovation tensure the organisation and department taps intevolving and emerging tools and technologies of communication.

Media Relations & Management

• Refine and strengthen TMA’s approach tmedia relations and storytelling, proactively positioning its work and points of view with key media and ensuring we are effectively leveraging research, announcements, and partner stories tbuild our profile.
• Drive editorial story planning and documentation tboth national, regional and pan-African press, including collaboration with senior editors, reporter follow-up (fact-finding, pitching, messaging, quote development/approval, executive interview coordination, etc.). 
• Effectively build and manage relationships with TMA programme teams, donors, grantees, public partnerinstitutions, communication agencies, vendors and media for symbiotic storytelling and topic amplification.Brand Management
• Responsible for managing the TMA brand by working with the Communication Officer treinforce use of the graphics manual standard with regards tthe TMA logapplication, events management and branding.Internal Communications
• Responsible for improving communication among staff on TMAs programmes, projects, results and impacts leveraging the TMA intranet. Promote, facilitate and build a results focus, learning and information sharing across TMA.

Academic and professional qualifications 

• Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Communications, International Relations/Public Affairs, Journalism, 
• Marketing, Political Science or related disciplines.

Work experience 

• Postgraduate degree holders will have 8 years and undergraduate degree holders will have 10 years of substantial 
• professional experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility largely in a communications function and working in multiple countries for an international development organisation, International NGO or private sector.

Technical skills and behavioural competencies

• A team player with high EQ and ability to navigate ambiguous and matrixed environments, comfortable at managing up and beyond hierarchy.
• Strong knowledge and ability in media relations, digital communications, marketing communications, events management and narrative development
• Digitally savvy and experience in electronic media production 
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills in English is required, French is desirable.
• Knowledge of media landscape in East Africa, West Africa, and the Horn is required.
• Track record of delivering strategic communication, business development for communication, people management, relationship management and knowledge management.
• In-depth understanding of audience mapping and expertise in high-impact messaging to strategic audience.
• Knowledge of national/international political trends impacting trade and ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate effective, productive client relationships/partnerships. 
• Strong initiative and follow through, the capacity to think creatively and strategically

Job description

• Functional proficiency in leading the planning, development, and execution of a communication strategy in support of defined objectives.
• Strong conceptual and research/analytical skills - Has the ability to rapidly analyse and integrate information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations. 
• Content Development - Must have functional proficiency to create story maps, define document concepts,write, rewrite, or edit complex communications products for purposeful structure, clarity of ideas, and the logical, persuasive presentation.
• Results and outcome focused 
• Collaborates with other team members and contributes productively to the team's work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view.
• Proven experience in working as both a leader and a member of a team.
• Knowledge, Learning, and Communication - Actively seeks knowledge needed to complete assignments and shares information in a clear and organized manner.
• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Analyses facts and data to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others' work.
• Self-motivated, creative, excellent organizational skills, proven ability to perform multiple tasks, and ability to work with both internal and external constituencies