Senior Communications Officer- Carbon Project at Northern Rangelands Trust

Job Purpose:

The Carbon Project is looking for a dynamic and experienced individual to provide strategic communication and public relations leadership and oversight to a growing organization whose impact is well-recognized and continuously supported. 

The overall purpose and responsibility of this role is to lead, develop, coordinate and implement successful communications and public relations strategies through targeted, innovative communications that reach and catalyze change in key constituencies from communities to government and donor stakeholders. 

The Senior Communications Officer is responsible for building and maintaining a positive profile for Carbon work through impactful media and outreach across key external online and offline communications channels; driving compelling stories and events that reinforce the project’s brand, while ensuring regular and efficient sharing and exchange of information through effective internal communications. 

Key roles/responsibilities:

• Ensure strategic and effective communications, helping to oversee the development and implementation of the communications strategy related to the project including leading on all aspects of communication and public relations management within the project. 
• Strategy: Develop, lead and manage the delivery and review of internal and external communications and public relations strategy that support the project; well-illustrates the conservation and development wins being made by communities; strengthens the project’s profile, and supports the organisation’s fundraising efforts. 
• Work Planning: Lead the development of communications work plans which outline key activities for implementation that support project objectives, Fundraising, Programme and Communications strategies. This also includes developing and implementing carbon communication activities and budgets in collaboration with the project management and Finance teams. 
• Social Media and Ground Level Communications: Oversee the development and management of the carbon website, social media channels (including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) and production of regular and incisive blogs, to conduct similar efforts at an individual conservancy level as well. 
• Products: Work with colleagues to produce editorials, features, advertisements, brochures, fact sheets, briefings, position papers, news stories, impact assessments, etc. 
• Media: Develop and maintain positive working relationships with targeted online, print and broadcast journalists, editorial writers and columnists, as well as other media staff. This includes supporting well-executed media strategies and activities, including press conferences, one-to-one briefings, press release, and other written materials. 
• Campaigns and events: Conceive, develop and lead groundbreaking communications and advocacy campaigns, projects and events to help achieve our community conservation goals. Enhancing our partnerships with county and national governments is a key priority. 
• Internal Communications: Support in the development of internal business/information sharing platforms for effective internal communication to build and maintain the project’s internal communication network and secure internal buy-in for the project, generating maximum participation and support within the organisation. 
• Partnerships: Collaborate with the Grants and Communications departments to ensure an integrated communications strategy is developed and implemented with regards to community conservancies and the Carbon Project. Hold periodic meetings and work closely with implementing offices, donor offices and to ensure close coordination on communication efforts. 
• Reporting: Prepare progress and impact assessment reports, track the project’s media presence, and analyse and report on the frequency and quality of coverage on a timely basis. 
• Assessment: Review existing communications capacity and assets and related communications outputs with the aim to identify available resources and expertise and gaps in Carbon Communications assets and needs.
• Research: Oversee and conduct market research as appropriate to inform creative and innovative communications strategies, messaging and campaign propositions designed to effectively persuade target audiences to help support the continued growth of community conservancies and the project. 

Knowledge, experience, and qualifications required:

• Masters degree in any of the following fields Public Relations, Corporate Communication, Mass
• Communication and Journalism or other related degree from a recognized institution.
• Bachelor’s degree in any of the following fields Public Relations, Corporate Communication, Mass
• Communication and Journalism or other related degree from a recognized institution.
• Minimum of 10 years experience in practical communications management across a broad geography.
• A strong technical background in areas related to communications-conservation.
• Knowledge of a working environment involving government, donors, NGOs and social media.
• A personal style that inspires trust, team work, professionalism and cooperation.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, and ability to develop effective partnerships.
• Experience in online marketing and communication.
• Experience writing, editing, and proofreading printed or online content for diverse audiences
• Experience in handling social media including blogs, face book, twitter and others as a professional communications tool.
• Experience working with conservancies, wildlife and international media.
• Fluency in English and Swahili required, both verbal and written, a foreign language is added advantage