Communications Officer at Hatua Likoni

About Hatua Network:

In Kenya, 30% of employers cited an inadequately skilled workforce as a major barrier to growth (WEF, 2017). The unfortunate reality in Kenya, and many parts of the developing world, is that the education system is not preparing youth with the soft skills they need to succeed in the workforce.  As a result youth unemployment stands at 26.2% in Kenya (UNDP, 2018) -- and these numbers do not even take into account youth that are underemployed or working in survival jobs.

Over the past 12 years, Hatua has worked to enable Kenyan youth from low-income families to realize their potential through education, soft skills development and career guidance. Through experience we have learned what youth need in order to excel: access to quality secondary and tertiary education, mentoring focused on values and character development, CV building experiences while still in school, and connections to professional networks that can help them access career opportunities after graduation. Hatua Network provides youth with these essentials. We reach youth during the most formative years of their lives and provide support that transforms their future prospects. We unlock their future potential, from trying to survive with no credentials, no connections and no opportunities, to instead becoming university graduates, ready to work, earn, and contribute to Kenya’s economic growth.

To date we have reached 560 young people, including 470 of whom we are currently sponsoring and mentoring through secondary and tertiary education, and 90 who have completed college or university. Of those who graduated more than 1 year ago 93% are working, earning an average income that is 3X the combined average income of their parents. This is a total transformation from poverty to professional careers and living as role models to others.

In Kenya, and across the continent, today’s youth bulge is a unique opportunity for development and economic growth. Imparting youth with career success skills simultaneously addresses the needs of youth and employers, thereby strengthening the supply and demand sides of Africa’s employment market.

If you are passionate about helping us expand our model to reach 1,600 youth with transformative programming, while helping to move the field of youth empowerment towards better meeting the needs and leverage the opportunities of the private sector, you should be applying for this role.

About the role

To meet our ambitious and exciting growth goals we have created this new full-time communications role in our small, dynamic and growing fundraising & communications team focused on showcasing our work and impact, cultivating interest and support in Hatua’s work, strengthening Hatua’s relationships with existing partners and building relationships with new donors.

You will position Hatua’s programs to donors and the general public in ways that resonates with their passion to create impact and stirs them to take action. Your success will mean continued support from existing donors and new partners joining our cause.

This is an ideal role for someone passionate about youth development who has great writing and persuasion skills to bring Hatua’s stories to life through words and pictures in a way that excites potential partners to be part of our work.

Your responsibilities will include:

Developing engaging content and messaging for Hatua's various audiences:

• Mapping out our different audiences and developing relevant messaging and calls for action for each in line with our program and fundraising goals
• Drafting content for, designing layouts and sending quarterly newsletters, insider newsletters for key stakeholders and our end of year fundraising campaign
• Creating a social media schedule and creating regular social media posts that drive visibility and position the work we do
• Maintaining up to date content on Hatua’s website
• Writing at least 2 blog posts per month

Collecting and maintaining up to date communications materials

• Conducting program site visits to collect stories, photos and videos from students and staff
• Identifying and documenting student and alumni success stories to ensure we have great evidence and stories that showcase our activities and impact
• Regularly updating Hatua’s profile & publicity materials
• Organizing and backing up photos and important communications materials

Driving regular communication that helps donors feel emotionally connected to Hatua’s work

• Sending prompt thank you letters and entering up to date donor details into Hatua’s Donor Management System, as well as optimizing Hatua’s use of our DMS.
• Selecting stories, photos, and layout for all external reports.
• Drafting and designing Hatua’s Annual Report.

Tracking the impact of Hatua’s communication campaigns

• Tracking communications progress by monitoring relevant metrics and goals and tweaking strategies as required
• Maintaining monthly donation reports and total amount raised
• Tracking social media, newsletter and other numbers
• Using DMS to track and analyse individuals donors, reengaged donors or significant increases in donation levels, donor retention, increase donations levels, and new donors
• Building out and growing Hatua's student sponsorship program

Who we are looking for

• You are highly passionate about youth empowerment and have a strong interest in education and employability.
•  You have at least two to three years of relevant experience with strong results (marketing, content creation, social media management, communications, fundraising, etc).
• You have persuasive communication skills, with an ability to tell stories in an exciting, captivating and empowering way that influences action.
•   Very strong writing skills, with the ability to produce drafts that don’t need editing on style or grammar.
•  You are social media and tech savvy: You use your gadgets and social media to create, influence and interact, not purely to consume.
•  Keen eye for design: You know how to conceptualize and design visual content that is neat and professional, and grabs people’s attention and passes a message.
•  Graphic design and video editing skills and experience with relevant software packages is a plus or willingness to learn.
• You are able to adjust your style to a variety of audiences, both Kenyan and international, both youthful and professional.
• The idea of mobilizing resources towards a great cause excites you, and working long hours on your laptop doesn’t drain your energy. You enjoy writing and can write efficiently.
• You are proactive, a self-starter and can work without much supervision. You are able to organize your own work and meet deadlines.
•  Experience engaging press/media is an added advantage

You have the cultural fit to work with the team at Hatua Network, if

• You are 100% values driven and want to instill strong values in the next generation
• You enjoy working with and for the community
•  You are a great team player, people talk about you being helpful and collaborative
• You are able to work independently and bring results in an unstructured environment
• You enjoy diversity and you are generally optimistic about the future

Why work with us?

• We get a lot of fulfillment by working with underprivileged youth and seeing them transform their lives over the 10 years they engage closely with us.  If you enjoy building deep emotional connections and seeing the impact of your work, this job is for you
• Our team has a deep sense of ownership over the organization. Everyone has the chance to take a leadership role and contribute to the organization’s growth
• Build interesting networks
• We believe in personal growth and you will have a lot of opportunity for career development as the organization grows
• We have a strong sense of family within our team and understand the importance of having some level of flexibility around working hours

Other information

The successful candidate will start in December 2020. You will be based in Mombasa, and work between our offices in Likoni and on Mombasa Island. We’ll arrange a 6-month probation period with learning and delivery objectives.