Somalia Communications Manager HEO at British High Commission Nairobi

Main purpose of job:

• To lead the UK Government’s communications effort in Somalia, design and implement communications campaigns in support of UK Government policies and programmes, and be the main UK Government contact for Somali and international media.
• You will be the primary Communications Advisor to the British Ambassador to Somalia, and provide advice to other colleagues to promote UK interests and deliver public messaging on Somalia.  
• This is an opportunity for a confident, experienced communications manager – and Somali speaker and Somali expert – to lead our exciting communications effort on Somalia, working in the wider communications team based in Nairobi.
• The role will be based at the British High Commission in Nairobi, reporting to the Head of Communications (Kenya and Somalia) as part of the wider Communications Team, but in very close collaboration with – and with frequent travel to – the British Embassy in Mogadishu.

The skills we’re looking for:

• The successful candidate will have extensive experience of successful, long-term communications campaigns, which cover the full range of traditional, digital and social media.
• The successful candidate will have extensive experience of working in the Somalia context, of the Somali media, of international organisations, and will have excellent written and oral communications skills in English and Somali.
• The successful candidate will also ideally have substantial experience with videography, photogrpahy and content editing, alongside all the main social media platforms used in Somalia.
• In addition to running communications campaigns, the successful candidate will manage the UK’s Somalia social media pages, and produce daily media and social media monitoring reforms, as well as publishing content on the UK Government’s website, GOV.UK. Some responbsibility for the Communications Team budget will also fall under this role.

The person we’re looking for:

• They will be confident, collaborative, able to work independently and set their own communications agenda, while also being a strong team player.
• They will build strong networks of both internal stakeholders – to support our communications campaigns – and external stakeholders, to influence for the UK with our Somali audiences.
• They will be an effective communicator, delivering high-quality work to deadlines.
• They will have fluency in, and excellent communication skills in, the Somali language.
• You should also expect frequent travel to Somalia, and occasional travel to the UK.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive UK communications strategy for Somalia.
• Provide media advice to the UK Ambassador to Somalia, British Embassy Somalia colleagues and London office, building wider media relations and contacts, developing core scripts and media plans.
• Design and implement media campaigns that reflect all aspects of the UK effort in Somalia. Oversee and implement British Embassy events and media briefings.
• Have responsibility for the Embassy’s website and social media platforms
• Oversee and implement British Embassy events and media briefings
• Produce daily media monitoring reports on news relating to Somalia and our programmes.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Extensive previous experience – at least six years – of working in a communications role; excellent understanding of/familiarity with Somali news media and political environment.
• Qualifications – Bachelor’s degree in journalism/Development Communications/Media and Public Relations.
• Excellent communicator with demonstrable experience of working in public relations and/or news media.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, experience of working in a fast-paced environment and delivering to deadline.
• Extensive experience of organising media related events and/or briefings.
• Proven IT skills, especially management of websites and social media.
• Drive and a willingness to work under time pressure.
• Excellent level of spoken and written English and Somali.
• Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  
• Experience in videography and video editing;
• Excellent experience of high quality photography.

Required behaviours  

• Seeing the Big Picture, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing