Communication Officer, USAID HERO at Kenyatta University

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Communication Officer will be responsible leading communication and media efforts of the program in close collaboration with the Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP). More specifically, the Communications Officer will play a key role in ensuring that there is an effective communications strategy and campaign for civic engagement and civic awareness, including in relation to reforms; will support implementation of the Program Communication Strategy; develop local media contacts; and design media-related activities to build the identity of the program in the fourteen counties. The Communications Officer will lead and advise on the production and dissemination of a broad range of communications for the USAID HERO Project. S/he will support program reporting and lead on communications to County Governments’ Media, USAID, and other institutional stakeholders. The Communications Officer will fill a critical gap in developing internal and external communications through proactive responses to information requests, refining success stories to appeal to specific audiences, and production of relevant knowledge products including a monthly newsletter. S/he will support the HERO Team in articulating programmatic impact in our communities to advance profile-raising, advocacy and learning goals. The Communications Officer will actively elevate the program’s reputation as a reference point for an informed and meaningful voice on key issues related to the program health financing activities.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in media and communications, journalism, social studies, or relevant field.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in coordinating and producing written and audio visual content for donor engagement, public advocacy, media, and community relations.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in required, including supporting report writing, editing, and proofreading program documents.
• Experience coordinating internal and external communications.
• Excellent computer skills, including experience with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher.
• Experience with Adobe’s design suite a plus.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Proven experience in international development communications.
• Experience with representation and liaison with donors and peer organizations.
• Ability to deliver high quality products with short deadlines.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Willingness to learn and collaborate with others.

Additional job responsibilities

• The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.