Communications Officer - Emergency Response at World Vision Kenya

Key Responsibilities:

Emergency Response Communications

• Provide leadership with emergency Response communications support through content creation and dissemination, ensuring information is shared among staff and key internal audiences and external partners, using appropriate platforms.
• Design communications materials for social media, website and other platforms.
• Coordinate with the World Vision Disaster Management department and other Response teams to identify key audiences (funding, advocacy, partnering, influence, community) and craft a focused communication (or external engagement) plan, objectives, activities and plans to deliver and evaluate them.
• Ensure content complies with child protection and informed consent protocols and treats subjects with dignity.
• Provide communications support to promote grant, technical and sector function positioning and visibility.
• Monitor and manage reputation risk issues associated with emergency responses and comply with World Vision risk reporting protocols.
• Establish processes to deliver rapid sign-off of messaging and content in collaboration with response managers and National Office Senior Leadership Team.
• Collaborate with global, regional and national disaster management team colleagues to define key issues, messaging, and communications channels communications initiatives.
• Collect stories, write and publish in media, WVK website or social media.
• Help plan and execute communications plan for the various responses in a support or lead capacity.

Internal Communications

• Establish response communications systems and processes to generate content in coordination with Disaster Management teams.
• Identify, brief and train spokespeople to ensure professional on-message media engagement that promotes World Vision’s response operations.
• Lead the production and dissemination of response reports for World Vision Kenya COVER Response and other Responses that may emerge (including Sit Reps).
• Work with Response Director/Manager and other emergency functions to provide regular updates to the National Office, region and partnership.
• With National Office (NO) support and guidance, execute required Communications Policies and Communications Strategy, ensure staff understanding and monitor for compliance.
• Regularly update World Vision Kenya’s website, Facebook page, YouTube Channel, Twitter and other media channels, including relevant appeal pages on wvi.org

Media Relations

• Liaise with Support Office (SO), Global Centre (GC) and other World Vision entity communications to pursue, prioritize, coordinate, pitch, react to and manage media interviews, opportunities and content, including development of press releases.
• Facilitate local and international media visits to market & profile World Vision Kenya’s responses as they occur.
• Ensure all materials are shared via World Vision Relief.
• Develop and update response narrative, key messages, Q&As and guidelines in order to proactively and effectively position WVK’s humanitarian crises and World Vision’s response.
• Develop and maintain key media contacts and build relationships with different media houses.
• Support the handling and management of all media crisis communications within the guidelines of the National Office, Regional Office and World Vision International.

Others

• Participate in Trans teams and support other initiatives by partners in the spirit of integration
• Any other duties as might be assigned from time to time

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Arts in journalism or communications/public relations or at least 3 years (or more) relevant working experience in related field.
• At least 5 years’ prior experience in emergency communications
• Experience working with media and drafting key messages.
• English language fluency (written and verbal).
• Excellent writing, videography and photography skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills (specifically with working with people from a variety of cultures).
• High level of confidence and confidentiality.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft office and Adobe Creative Suite (Lightroom, Premiere Pro, InDesign).
• Experience updating and creating content for social media and website
• Photo editing skills are desirable
• Media Council of Kenya accreditation
• Public Relations Society of Kenya Member