Communications Officer (Editorial & Communications Coordination), SC8 - Nairobi at World Food Programme (WFP)

JOB PURPOSE:

To support the planning, coordination and implementation of WFP Kenya's communications priorities, with a particular focus on editorial content development, storytelling, media engagement and quality assurance. The position ensures the timely production of accurate, compelling and audience-focused communications products, while supporting effective coordination of communications activities across programmes, field offices and the Communications team.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Support the development and implementation of WFP Kenya's communications plans and priorities, coordinating activities and deliverables to ensure alignment with Country Office objectives and corporate communications strategies.
• Research, write, edit and produce high-quality communications products, including human-interest stories, news articles, press releases, speeches, talking points, briefing notes, key messages and other editorial content for internal and external audiences.
• Work closely with programme teams and field offices to identify newsworthy developments, human-interest stories and emerging communications opportunities, translating complex operational information into clear, compelling and accessible narratives.
• Coordinate editorial planning, content production and day-to-day communications workflows across the team, including maintaining content calendars, tracking assignments, following up on deliverables and providing technical guidance to colleagues to ensure timely delivery of quality communications products.
• Support media engagement and outreach activities, including preparing media materials, facilitating interviews and field visits, responding to media enquiries and maintaining relationships with journalists and media outlets.
• Coordinate communications inputs for campaigns, high-level visits, events, emergency responses and donor visibility initiatives, ensuring clear messaging, timely delivery and consistency across communications products.
• Review and edit communications content produced by colleagues and external partners, providing editorial guidance and quality assurance to ensure accuracy, clarity, consistency with corporate messaging and adherence to WFP's editorial and ethical storytelling standards.
• Monitor and analyse traditional and social media coverage, identify emerging issues, opportunities and reputational risks, and provide timely updates and recommendations to inform communications planning and decision-making.
• Liaise with WFP programme teams, field offices, regional and headquarters Communications colleagues and external partners to support coordinated messaging, information sharing and the effective delivery of communications activities.
• Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to support WFP to quickly respond and deploy food and needed resources to affected areas at the onset of a crisis.
• Other duties as required.

EDUCATION: Advanced degree in journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications or another related field from a recognized university is required. or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

EXPERIENCE: At least three years of relevant professional experience in journalism, international relations, public relations, communications, or a related field.

LANGUAGE:  Fluency (level C) in English.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Demonstrated experience in communications, journalism, public information, media relations or a related field.
• Strong editorial experience, including researching, writing and editing high-quality stories, press releases, speeches, briefing materials and other communications products.
• Experience coordinating editorial workflows, content calendars and communications deliverables across multiple teams or stakeholders.
• Experience translating complex technical or operational information into clear, compelling and audience-focused communications content.
• Experience supporting media engagement, communications campaigns, high-level events and external outreach activities.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound editorial judgement, provide constructive guidance to colleagues, manage competing priorities and deliver quality work with minimal supervision.