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The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) is a not-for-profit organisation that facilitates and promotes public/private partnerships to access, develop, adapt and deliver appropriate agricultural technologies for sustainable use by smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is headquartered in Nairobi, and its mandate covers sub-Saharan Africa...
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Manager Communications & Partnerships , and overall guidance of the Executive Director, the Communications Officer – East and Southern African will have responsibility over building the visibility of AATF, telling its story and promoting the brand among target audiences both in and outside Africa.
S/he will be responsible for designing and implementing AATF’s communications outreach utilising a fitting mix of channels and tools.
S/he will work closely with AATF management, projects and partners to ensure alignment of communication efforts with the organisation strategy and initiatives.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Corporate Communications
- As a key member of the Communications Unit, you contribute to development of the AATF communications strategy and direction in support of raising visibility and positioning the organisation appropriately
- Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of AATF East and South Africa regional communications in line with the overall communications and corporate strategies and project goals
- Provide strategic advice to AATF management, staff and partners on communications ensuring preparedness for media engagement and other presentation opportunities including preparation of press releases, talking points and speeches
- Cultivate a healthy working relationship with regional media maintaining a database, managing media activities and ensuring appropriate plans are drawn, implemented and monitored in support of engagement with AATF
- Ensure consistent use of messages across the organization and among project partners, monitoring effectiveness of the messages in delivering results and making necessary adjustments
- Anticipate and prepare staff and partners to proactively manage possible controversies through a well-structured and disseminated issues management plan
- Develop and disseminate appropriate knowledge products and communication materials (technical and non-technical) including reports, leaflets, brochures, web materials and videos, ensuring clear messaging and adherence with organisational branding guidelines
- Guide effective identification, selection and utilisation of events for organisational visibility, ensuring brand alignment and fitting media coverage.
- Liaise with human resources department to build internal communications systems to support to build team cohesiveness
- Monitor and report on progress with communication initiatives, working closely with Monitoring and Evaluation office
- Guide on consultancy support needs and requirements and oversee performance in line with AATF policies.
Project Communications
- Work with project leads in developing workplans, identifying and packaging stories that demonstrate AATF’s work and results for dissemination to key audiences
- Work with advocacy teams to support outreach to key audiences as per project goals. Any other duties assigned from time to time.
- Produce talking points, website stories, media briefings, AATF project brochures, thematic summaries, executive bios, and Q&As
- Produce photos and video of AATF programmes for AATF photo archive
- In collaboration with programme team develop and disseminate quality communication materials to a range of external and internal audiences, including AATF project brochure, thematic summaries, Q&As and talking points to keep external stakeholders effectively informed and engaged
- Assist in collecting testimonies and case studies from the field as required
- Produce for projects regular contextual analysis documents, briefings, trends report, situation updates, research, draft advocacy position papers, talking points, key messages, and ad-hoc reports
- Provide media relations and support public relations activities for AATF projects , including distributing press releases, coordinating interviews, and hosting media visits to AATF projects
- Assist in collecting testimonies and case studies from the field as required, or other tasks as needed at AATF
Impact of Results:
The key results have impact on AATF’s corporate brand positioning, visibility and reputation, including overall success with implementation of AATF projects, initiatives and strategies.
The results will build AATF as a strong development partner.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
- Ability to build and sustain relationships with key constituents (donors, research institutions, media, government institutions, etc.)
- Ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
- High-level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills including ability to build alliances and collaborative relationships with sensitivity to diversity.
- Ability to maintain high standards of integrity; establish straightforward, productive relationships; treating individuals with fairness and respect.
- Excellent writing and editing skills
- Fluency in English. Knowledge of French or Portuguese would be an added advantage
Recruitment Qualifications
Education:
- Master’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or any other related and equivalent disciplines from a recognized institution;
Experience:
- At least Five (5) years’ experience in public relations and communications
- Documented experience with the production of written materials – such as reports, briefing notes, position papers, talking points, etc.
- Experience of leading communication activities (including information management) in a challenging environment
- Understanding of media handling, pitching and media management
- Experience delivering communications assets across multiple channels, including print, social, and digital, with a solid knowledge and use of media and multimedia platforms
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
- A working knowledge of French would be an added advantage
Qualified candidates are invited send their applications on or before 7 February 2020 to aatf-hr@aatf-africa.org and clearly indicate on the email subject –Communications Officer – East and South Africa
African Agricultural Technology Foundation is an equal opportunity employer; committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious and ethnic backgrounds and any other diversity groups to apply and become a part of our organization.