Communications Officer at Amref Kenya

• The Communications Officer will take a dynamic approach to developing and executing the Imarisha Jamii project communications strategy. She will build relationships across the Imarisha Jamii project portfolio with staff and take a proactive approach to identifying stories and messaging that communicates the project learning and results to various stakeholders, especially USAID.
• S/he will lead both internal and external communications efforts, contribute to content-development of project outreach materials, including learning, success stories, Facebook/LinkedIn postings, Tweets,
• presentations, photography, videography, events management, and media relations.
• S/he will liaise between project partners, beneficiaries, key project staff, and local service providers to build a strong bridge for the exchange of information and incorporate the project’s learning, results and findings into the overall communications and outreach activities of the project and the donor.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
KEY AREA KEY TASKS

• Strategy Development Identify and consolidate communication needs of the project and partners
• Update the communication strategy and update it regularly, as applicable
• Identify appropriate communication channels suitable for the respective audience

KEY AREA KEY TASKS

• Execute the activities in the communications work plan using overarching communication strategy for the project
• Develop the annual communications work plan based on project’s work plan
• Sensitize project staff on the communications strategy
• Advocacy, Relationships
• Management and Networking
• Attend monthly USAID communications meeting and other forums and actively participate in the Communications Working Groups and execute on action items that come out of these meetings
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, media networks, bloggers, investors and audiences that will help advance the Imarisha Jamii objective
• Build relationships with external allies and partners to advance the global campaign and other influencing strategies
• Reporting and Documentation of Project Key Milestones
• Build the thought Leadership of the project and use it to grow the project’s influence
• Create valuable content (case studies, one pagers, webinar, tweets, Facebook and LinkedIn posts etc.) to disseminate learning and results to different stakeholders (USAID, implementing partners, the Government of Kenya and others
• Optimize the project’s presence on both social and mainstream media (print and electronic)
• Solicit project information in coordination with program staff to gather information for writing programmatic communications including manuals, graphics, articles, success and impact stories that offer analytical storytelling
• Document best practices, human interest stories and work with project team leads, advisors and specialists to refine the stories for publication
• Share appropriate content with USAID Kenya and Amref Kenya to be distributed on the weekly/monthly/biannual internal newsletters, public website and social media
• Edit project reporting deliverables such as quarterly and annual reports to ensure we are communicating our progress, learning, and results in alignment with USAID’s Journey to Self-Reliance
• Coordinate with respective communications persons from different organizations, CSO and counties on upcoming events. This includes drafting communications collateral (manuals, press releases, key messages, success stories, talking points, graphics etc.)
• Events Management Support preparations of donor field visits
• Maintain a comprehensive database of project information
• Media correspondents
• Information Repository Manage the Imarisha Jamii photo library and conduct photo editing as appropriate

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field.
• Knowledge of digital marketing tactics and email marketing
• Knowledge and proficiency in design and desktop publishing software (InDesign/Photoshop).
• A minimum of Four years’ experience in communications strategy development role
• Experience in project design, proposal writing, needs assessments, surveys, and information management
• Experience in packaging messages (case studies, one pagers, webinar, tweets, LinkedIn posts etc.) to disseminate learning and results to different stakeholders specifically USAID, implementing partners and the Government of Kenya
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills
• Excellent critical thinking skills and the ability to exercise good judgment and solve problems quickly and effectively
• Experience drafting and executing a comprehensive communication plan in support of a project strategy, incorporating a variety of media and tactics
• Experience writing and managing content for a variety of media including digital and social media platforms (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.), video scripts and story-boarding, case studies, and factsheets/briefings
• Cross-cultural sensitivity, flexible world view and emotional maturity.
• Presentation skills
• Good interpersonal skills

Competencies

• High level of integrity and honesty
• Team player
• Ability to work independently and take full accountability as well as build relationships across a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to represent the project in external meetings including with the donor
• Ability to research, analyse, evaluate and synthesize information quickly
• Ability and willingness to travel in the implementation counties (Turkana and Samburu), including to remote locations

HOW TO APPLY

• Your application should include a cover letter detailing why you are the best fit for this position and your CV with relevant skills and experience. The closing date will be Wednesday September 20, 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.