Communications Intern at Palladium International

Project Overview and Role:

USAID Feed-the-Future Kenya Investment Mechanism (KIM)

The Feed the Future Kenya Investment Mechanism is a five-year USAID project designed to unlock $400 million in investment for key sectors of Kenya’s economy, including agriculture, and for regional trade and investment opportunities under the Prosper Africa initiative. KIM is a comprehensive intervention that is addressing the supply-side, demand-side, and enabling environment-related constraints to investment. Through the mobilization of capital and building partnerships between stakeholders in the financial ecosystem, KIM supports USAID's overall goal of fostering broad-based, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth for Kenya.

KIM provides smart incentives and capacity building support to both business advisory service providers and financial institutions. These incentives are designed to create a sustainable ecosystem for businesses to access finance and investments needed to expand and grow. Business transactions are further supported by a diverse range of sustainable partnerships--with and among strategic businesses, institutions, government counterparts (county and national) and other development partners. These partnerships will lead to scaling and replicating creative approaches to unlock finance and investments, reduce risks of extending credit to the agriculture and energy sectors, and offer testing of innovative business models that can be scaled.

 Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

KIM requires a Communication Intern to support the implementation of the communications plan and related KIM communications tools. Under supervision of the Communications Manager, the intern will support dissemination of project messages to inform key audiences of project progress and successes. S/he will primarily draft success stories and assist in development of content for social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn). The intern should be a highly skilled, motivated and self-driven individual who is interested in gaining significant hands-on experience in the areas of communications, adaptive programming, knowledge management, research and social media management including excellent operational skill of Microsoft Office.

Scope and Activities

The Communications Intern will undertake the following tasks:

• Draft monthly social media schedules and posts, monitor and analyse engagement on related programme activities on social media, for review by the Communications Manager.  
• Support the development of compelling narratives for communications content that can take the form of human-interest stories, case studies, social media graphics, newsletters, website content, etc.
• Support with compiling lessons, synthesizing technical reports for KIM communication products in liaison with the Communications Manager and the program team.
• Liaise with the Communications Manager to compile, edit and update KIM calendar of events.
• Assist with formatting reports and other technical documents including editing, design and layout.
• Assist with keeping digitized, updated media and programme partners contact list.
• Performing other appropriate tasks as requested by the supervisor.
   

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Skills, Experience & Qualities Required:

• Master’s degree in Communications, Public Relations or Development related field.
• A creative writer, with ability to synthesize complex material into easy to consume communication pieces.
• Strong skills and experience using Microsoft Office, with interest and ability to learn new software
• Experience using social media tools and channels, particularly blogging and content management systems
• Graphic design, video production or digital photography skills an advantage
• Motivated and energetic self-starter who takes initiative
• Ability to multi-task and balance multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse team members
• Enthusiasm to learn and develop new skills within the role.