Job Vacancy at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Description

The Nairobi-based Regional Information Officer (RIO) for the East Africa Regional Office (EARO) will implement a communications strategy that establishes CRS as an industry leader with key audiences in the U.S. and in the region. The RIO will capture and effectively disseminate success stories and other content that demonstrate the impact of our work, our expertise and thought leadership and amplify our messages. Dissemination of success stories and other content will serve to enhance CRS' credibility and influence among key stakeholders, attract partners and contribute to the acquisition of funding. Audiences include institutional and private donors, partners, the local Church, national governments, peer agencies and other target audiences. To boost CRS' visibility and draw attention to priority issues, the RIO will establish and maintain relationships with national and international media representatives based in the region. (S)he will be a resource for journalists, sharing story ideas and keeping them abreast of CRS activities. The RIO will help ensure strong and consistent branding and messaging in line with guidance and procedures from donors and CRS' global headquarters in the U.S. and work with country program Communications or other designated staff to create and execute Communications plans.

Specific Responsibilities:

Storytelling

• Ensure that the region's interests and perspectives are fully integrated in all agency communication projects.
• Liaise with regional technical staff to ensure a broad understanding of the technical work and proper representation in media and content.
• Travel throughout the region to gather information on CRS and partner programs and write compelling human interest-focused success stories, take photos and videos, and write content that can be used for marketing materials, private and institutional donor outreach (particularly USAID), crs.org, social media, direct mail pieces, e-newsletters and other platforms.
• In coordination with PIQA and USAID Communications staff, ensure placement of CRS stories and content on USAID platforms and digital properties.
• In conjunction with country program and HQ MarCom staff, coordinate visits of videographers and/or photographers to the region.

Marketing Materials:

• Help manage the design and production of creative and compelling communication and marketing material --photos, video, fact sheets, brochures, etc. - for various audiences, including public and private donors, government, partners, media and others as needed.
• Manage freelancers in the production of above marketing materials as needed.
• Identify and utilize effective distribution channels to disseminate marketing materials to key audiences.

Media Relations:

• Under the supervision of the regional marketing manager and working with the HQ Communications team, program and senior management teams, develop media strategies as a tool to raise CRS' profile regionally and in the U.S. around priority issues and programs to establish CRS' as a leader in development.
• Map the media landscape, identify media opportunities; develop and nurture relationships with US and international media; develop talking points; train spokespeople.
• Secure media placements in top-tier national and international outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and NPR, for example.
• Provide support and coach country program Communications staff in effective local media outreach.
• Serve as spokesperson as needed.

Brand Management:

• Take a key role in brand development for the region, ensuring that all communications are consistent with CRS' branding and publications guidelines and donor requirements.
• Ensure that all staff are trained and supported in the brand guideline implementation.
• Engage and inspire country program staff around the brand strategy; and ensure appropriate CRS-branded wear, signage and collateral.

Training and Coaching

• Support country program Communications staff in the development and execution of annual work plans for communications and marketing.
• Facilitate and coach relevant CRS country program staff and partners on best practices in marketing and brand management, including storytelling, photography, public affairs and media relations.
• Establish robust Community of Practice with country program Communications staff in an effort to provide greater strategic guidance and support, and build a stronger Communications network that will allow CRS to increase its brand awareness with audiences across the continent as well as in the U.S.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Regional director, senior and business development staff, program staff, Marketing and Communications, PIQA and OverOps MarCom, Charitable Giving, Advocacy.

External: CRS partners, international and U.S. media, USAID Communications staff.

Personal Skills:

• Strong communications skills and emotional intelligence to forge strong working relationships
• Self-motivated, proactive, autonomous
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Ability to deal effectively with deadlines
• Strong representational skills
• Team player
• Ability to work in harsh and challenging environments

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in journalism/communications preferable
• 5 - 7 years work experience in journalism, communications and public/media relations
• Solid understanding of U.S. and international media
• Proven track record of high-level US media placements
• Experience working in international development preferred
• Proven written and oral communication skills in English
• Significant photography experience; videography preferred.
• Knowledge of video editing
• Basic knowledge of social media, especially Twitter
• Overseas work experience in the developing world, preferred

Travel: Ability and willingness to travel up to 50%