Communications Specialist Consultant AFO Project at International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

Main objectiveof this role

• AfricaFertilizer is seeking to recruit a Communication Specialist Consultant, who will be in charge of ensuring smooth and effective implementation of the Communication Strategies of the initiative. 
• The main objective is to strategically position AfricaFertilizer as the leading authority in fertilizer data and information across Africa. This entails effectively communicating our activities and outcomes to partners, thereby providing them with valuable insights to inform their business and policy decisions.

Responsibilities

The specific tasks are to:

• Updating and implementation of internal and external communications plans and strategies.
• Provide strategic and advisory communications support to the program leaders.
• Creating, planning, and maintaining an internal communications calendar, while executing comprehensive campaigns, engagement activities, and events.
• Collaborate with analysts in various countries to draft, edit, and distribute monthly and quarterly reports in English and French via online platforms.
• Ensure consistency in internal and external communication across all channels.
• Transform ideas into multimedia formats such as videos and animations.
• Create content, materials, and communication resources derived from workshops, partner meetings, etc., for dissemination on social media and other platforms.
• Provide training and support to enhance communication skills within the team.
• Oversee updates on AfricaFertilizer's social media channels, including LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.
• Assist in maintaining and updating content on the AfricaFertilizer website.
• Undertake any additional tasks assigned by supervisor(s) to support the AfricaFertilizer team.

Expected Outputs

The expected outputs at the end of the period include:

• Development of Communications plans and strategies for the project for internal donor reporting and external business development.
• Program leaders are supported with communication strategies and ideas.
• Internal communications are enhanced within the AfricaFertilizer Team and IFDC.
• Reports and newsletters are disseminated on time with appropriate branding.
• All communication materials sent out are consistent in content and branding.
• Contents are generated from ideas, workshops, materials and disseminated to stakeholders.
• The AfricaFertilizer team improves its efficiency in communication with partners and on social media platforms.
• Social media platforms are updated frequently.
• Content on Africa Fertilizer website is always up to date 

Reporting and Work Relationships

• The Communications specialist Consultant will report to the AFO Program Lead or his designee. The role will collaborate closely with other projects within IFDC as case maybe.

Salary Clause

• The proposed monthly consultancy fee for this position is USD 1,500 payable in local currency at the exchange rate of the date of the contract

Location

• This is a National recruitment with a duty station in the IFDC office based in Nairobi/Kenya.

Diversity Clause

• IFDC is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, and offers equal employment opportunities based on ability, performance, and potential. Equal opportunity is integral to the recruitment and selection practices at IFDC. IFDC recognizes the value in recruiting employees with different backgrounds, knowledge, experiences, perspectives, and beliefs. IFDC recognizes and values the contribution of people with a diverse background in capabilities, experience, and perspectives. Diversity encompasses gender, age, experience, education, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and cultural backgrounds as well as other dimensions such as lifestyle and family responsibilities.

About Program/Project

• AfricaFertilizer is an initiative led by the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) which began activities in 200. The Initiative implements activities across the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) region with current support and funding from the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), and USAID Bureau for Resilience and Food Security (BRFS). Key technical partners include Development Gateway (through the BMGF VIFAA Project), Wallace & Associates, the Africa Union Commission (AUC), and also receives technical and financial support from other projects implemented by IFDC in the field of fertilizer market development and soil fertility improvement, such as the Feed the Future EnGRAIS project in West Africa and the Soils Consortium project funded by the USAID Bureau of Resilience and Food Security.
• AfricaFertilizer’s Vision is to be the leading provider of fertilizer data and information for Africa to support market transparency, improved decision making, for a more prosperous agriculture sector. AfricaFertilizer’s Mission is to be the provider of reliable, high-quality, unbiased data and information on fertilizer and soil fertility issues in Africa for promotion of sustainable agriculture in the Continent. To accomplish this, AfricaFertilizer is progressively working to develop, manage, facilitate, and share technical and market information on fertilizers in Africa to support the implementation of continental, regional, and national agricultural policies and regulations that benefit both the public and private sector, including smallholder farmers and agro-dealers.

Required Experience

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in communications, Media Studies, or a related field. Master’s or professional training is an added advantage
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills in either English or French, with proficiency in both languages being an added advantage.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience working in a communications team within a multinational organization.
• Possess imagination and creativity, with the ability to translate thoughts and ideas into tangible outcomes.
• A clear and concise communicator who is able to take away key messages to create clarity for all other colleagues.
• Ability to work autonomously while maintaining effective communication and collaboration within the team.
•  Proficiency in social media platforms and website content management.
• Familiarity with data analysis and analytics to assess communication effectiveness.
• Demonstrated capability in using communications and marketing strategies to achieve program objectives.
• MUST be Bilingual with English and French competency