Job Vacancies at Palladium

Background:

 Kenya Tupime Kaunti Project is a five-year USAID-funded activity that aims to support ongoing investments by the national and county governments and other development partners to strengthen outcome and measurements, learning, and accountability (MLA) systems to provide quality data and synthesized information for planning, implementation, policy development, and decision-making. Specifically, the project has two key sub-purposes as per the prescribed results framework:

• Increased leadership and management capacity of county governments for effective outcome measurements, learning, and accountability systems; and
• Increased availability, analysis and use of quality data.

USAID Tupime Kaunti project is a Cooperative Agreement implemented by The Palladium Group with sub-grants to Kenya School of Government (KSG) and Maseno University. The project runs from Oct 2016- Sep 2021and over the implementation period has worked in 13 counties (Baringo, Nakuru, Samburu, Turkana, Kakamega, Kisumu, Migori, Busia, Bungoma, Vihiga, Homa-Bay, Kisii and Siaya) supporting HIV, Malaria, Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH), Child Protection, and COVID-19 programs.

The project is seeking for a consultant to support in documenting project milestones realized during the five years of technical implementation and MLA strengthening demonstrating the sustainability of the project’s investments. This will entail producing a video documentary, writing project wide and County specific success stories . The assignment will be participatory and guided by the project branding guidelines and donor communication regulations. Below are the specifics of the five key tasks to be performed within this Scope of Work.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

 Task 1: Prepare an inception report and work Schedule

The consultant, after reviewing project documentation, will hold an inception meeting with the project team to (i) review and discuss the process for conducting the assignment, (ii) determine roles and responsibilities (iii) identify preliminary background information related to the assignment (iv) finalize a draft work plan in an inception report which will be submitted to Tupime Kaunti management for approval. The work plan will guide this assignment to facilitate close monitoring of the progress, timely completion of all tasks, and satisfactory end-results.

Task 2: Develop a script and/or a storyboard for the documentary video interviews and story writing.

The consultant will engage with the project team and moderate a session to develop a script that will guide the content and flow of the video and the write-up to ensure there is a similar layout for all the content that are developed – The Story to be told. The script should highlight the background, the problems that the project sought to address, the strategic approaches, and how the project interventions responded to the challenges. The story will also highlight and reflect the beneficiary perceptions on the results, achievements and Impact of the project’s interventions. For the write-up, the consultant will moderate the session to determine the content and flow of the written documentation. The story will demonstrate the sustainability of the interventions beyond the life of the project. The consultant will also work closely with the project team to determine the components of the story to be told, the respondents to be interviewed, sites to be visited to gather materials for the deliverables.

Task 3: Conduct interviews with selected speakers.

The consultant will Conduct interviews with select County Staffs, Tupime Kaunti Staff, Kenya School of Government, Maseno University, and National Ministry Officials capturing experiences, successes, and lessons learnt. The consultant will interview and record the selected speakers as per the script towards the production of video documentaries, success stories write ups that will capture all project themes and highlighting project key milestones, lessons learnt, best practices, results, and impacts of the Project’s interventions.

Task 4: Production.

The consultant will piece together the information materials captured in the above tasks to produce draft written and audio-visual documentaries in English while ensuring high quality documentation standards in written and video editing and cutting to produce the videos in a high-quality production format and formats that can be used in social media platforms. The raw materials to be used will include archived materials by the project and materials generated by the consultant. The production will ensure inclusion of smooth transitions, voice-overs, narration, sub-titles, animation, and so on, to deliver a captivating documentary. The final production delivery will include a written documentation for publication, an abridged 5-minute video, and an extended 15–30-minute video.

Task 5: Write and design project stories, briefs, and success stories.

Throughout the processes in the tasks above, ensure inclusion of the interests of the final story writeup and document project implementation and impact to include project briefs, success stories, and best practices to include high quality illustrations and pictures as provided by the Project in Task 2 above. The final write-up and design layout should be of high-quality demonstrating project impact and sustainability of its interventions.

Performance Period:

This is a performance-based assignment and the final approved deliverables are expected on or before May 30, 2021. Actual timeline will be developed after discussion with the selected consultant. Sufficient time will be allocated to ensure content is relevant and brings about the desired results.

Performance Station(s):

Fieldwork interviews will be conducted across the project implementation counties and most of the central work will be done virtually or from the Project Office in Kisumu.

Deliverables:

1. Inception meeting report and work-plan including a detailed timeline for the filming and writing process (Concept and scenario) approved by the project.
2. Draft script for review with project team (brief synopsis, script and storyboard of the main documentary) and final script with interview matrix mapping to the story board to include questions and interview individuals and locations and approved by the project.
3. Draft written documentation content approved by the project management.
4. High-Quality (High Definition) and portable long and abridged trailer video versions (QuickTime, AVI, MP4) for feedback and final cut. Final submission should also include master footage of all interviews.
5. A soft copy of project story write-up (s) – Project wide, Program specific and county specific based on their strength for review and approval.
6. A print ready soft copy of final story layout and design for the Project’s approval.

Qualifications:

• Applicants should have extensive experience in gathering story materials packaging videos and information products into impactful and compelling stories in Public Health in Kenya.
• Applicants should provide examples of communications materials (both printed and audio-visual) in the recent past (not more than five years).
• Knowledge in Strategic Information, Health systems Strengthening, and/or Measurement and Learning Projects will be an added advantage.
• Degree in communication, journalism, video production or other related fields.
• At least five years’ relevant experience in developing communications and knowledge management products.
• Proven experience in telling success stories in written and audio-visual materials.
• Knowledge and experience with USAID branding requirements and able to work within tight timelines.
• Access to high quality filming, light, sound and editing equipment.

Copyrights:

Copyrights for all materials, content and output associated with this project will be fully reserved by Tupime Kaunti.

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Activity Overview and Role

Palladium seeks a Director of Strategic Communications to lead internal and external communications for the Feed the Future East Africa Market Systems Activity, a 5-year, $23 million task order under USAID’s Regional Integration and Stronger Economics (RISE) IDIQ mechanism. The Activity is designed to promote increased agricultural production, trade, improved policies, finance and investment, and resilience to shocks and stresses in the East Africa region by addressing agricultural issues that can only be solved on a regional basis. The Activity will collaborate closely with USAID/Kenya and East Africa’s regional intergovernmental partners, including the East African Community (EAC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region. The Activity is organized under four objectives: 1) Strengthening cross-border agricultural market systems, 2) Accessing and scaling technologies, 3) Strengthening regional resilience, and 4) Strengthening the regional agriculture policy and regulatory environment. The geographic area of focus includes the East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Zambia.

The Director of Strategic Communications (DSC) will collaborate closely with the Project Manager and the Deputy Project Manager to create and oversee the implementation of the project’s internal and external communications strategies to reflect communications priorities. S/he will develop and implement multifaceted external communications strategies including messages, tactics, and deliverables specifically designed to educate and engage policymakers, regional bodies and associations, private-sector actors, and civil society. S/he will report directly to the Deputy Project Manager.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the Project Manager in the successful management of all administrative and programmatic functions and activities
• Design and implement a results-oriented communications strategy utilizing a range of communications tools including media interviews, social media platforms, conferences, workshops and project events, project publications, videos, media sponsorships, and external engagement opportunities.
• Design communications tools to effectively communicate activities and progress (e.g., videos, workshops, conferences, and public events, visual images and infographics, press releases, social media, radio messaging, etc.).
• Conduct media relations for the activity (including organization of press conferences and other high-visibility events).
• Plan and host regular learning events to share information and reflect upon lessons learned to continually improve performance.
• Under the direction of the Project Manager and Deputy Project Manager, maintain close and collaborative relationship with USAID and the U.S. Embassy teams on all outreach and communications efforts.
• Coordinate on strategic communications issues and questions with Palladium Home Office Project Director and Palladium’s Communications team.
• Manage internal communications and foster knowledge sharing across objectives and geographies.
• Maintain digital library of images and other communications tools and gather and catalogue media highlighting the work of the project and partners.
• Proactively lead the drafting and finalization of project deliverables, including coordinating information gathering for quarterly and annual technical reports, project success stories, and annual work plans.
• Ensure appropriate branding and marking for all activity assets.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as public relations, mass communications, public policy, or journalism. Master’s degree preferred.
•  Minimum five years of work experience in strategic communications or a related field.
•  Technical understanding of issues related to regional cross-border trade, private sector engagement, agricultural development, or other relevant Activity areas.
• Proven experience designing and/or implementing a local, national, or regional strategic communications strategy.
• Experience leading communication efforts for bilateral or regional USAID-funded projects preferred.
• Strong written communications skills, competency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience designing visually appealing communications materials; graphic design skills a plus.
• Strong Preference for Kenyan and East African citizens.

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Join our team!

 The Palladium Data, Informatics and Analytical Solutions (DIAS) practice vision is to improve health and development investments and outcomes by strengthening information and governance systems and local capacity and ownership at scale to use quality data in real time for positive impact. To do this, DIAS takes a systems approach that combines its expertise in M&E and research; effective data use; and information and communication technology (ICT) to help governments and development partners throughout the world design, implement, and evaluate service delivery and performance monitoring systems at all levels of the health, education, agriculture, and economic growth systems. To support the technical delivery of informatics solutions, DIAS has formed a regional team of informatics experts based in Nairobi, Kenya. The Kenya Informatics Team is responsible for supporting health informatics and ICT projects across the DIAS portfolio globally.

Position Summary

We are looking for consultant Full-Stack Software developers to support our team of developers working on the design and development of various technology products. S/he will work with highly experienced and result driven Tech Leads and Product managers to design and develop software solutions in  a highly paced environment.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in enterprise-level programming and architecture experience.
• Proven experience as a Full Stack Developer or similar role.
• Experience developing scalable and secure web and mobile applications.
• Experience with relational databases such as Microsoft SQL, MySQL and PostgreSQL, including designing schemas and query performance analysis. Experience in NoSQL databases is an added advantage.
• Should have strong knowledge and experience in CI/CD tools like ANT, Maven and Jenkins.
• Should have experience in Web analytics implementations
• Prior experience as an independent consultant is an added advantage.

Skills and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of multiple programming languages, libraries, and frameworks such as C#, Java, Python, PHP, Android, React, Node.js, Angular, Vue, etc
• Should have experience configuring and managing web application servers (e.g., Nginx, Apache Tomcat, IIS etc.)
• Should have demonstrable experience in working with HTTP/RESTful APIs, microservices and distributed solutions.
• Should possess excellent communication skills and attention to detail.
• Should demonstrate strong problem solving and technical skills.
• Should demonstrate knowledge of the trends in the software development domain.
• Should be able to work under minimum to no supervision and yet deliver quality results on time.
• Experience Health Information Exchange standards is an added advantage.

Minimum Qualifications

• BSc. in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with the OpenMRS platform is an added advantage.
• Experience with the DHIS2 platform is an added advantage.