Communication Officer at KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP)

JOB DIMENSIONS:

• Participate in the design and planning of new stakeholder/public/school /university engagement activities including setting up participatory meetings and identifying resource requirements.
• Ensure smooth implementation of public engagement and communication activities in Nairobi region as agreed upon in the Programme engagement work plan
• Support in the facilitation and expansion of school engagement activities including: on-line school engagement (SEP KEMRI website); “I’m a scientist” on-line engagement platform; and other appropriate Nairobi school engagement approaches identified through 1 and 2 above
• To explore potential future opportunities for communication/engagement in Nairobi and beyond through engagement with key health/education stakeholders, researchers and members of the public.
• To support the Policy engagement officer and the head of communications in media engagement and liaison for dissemination of research.
• To support the Policy engagement officer and the head of communications in website content development / updating in collaboration with the ICT department and scientists
• Liaise with the KWTRP Head of Community Engagement and the Head of Communications, and / or other programme officers working in relevant areas to implement an overarching communications strategy
• To prepare/draft write-ups as may be required for inclusion in/ to support proposals, posters, presentations/seminars, IEC materials (including website content) and publications.
• Participate in tracking use of project funds/ grants through the monitoring, review and preparation of field expense reports, tracking of study expenses etc.
• Prepare and submit draft reports/media as required including activity reports, project progress reports, short videos etc.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in the design and implementation of new community/public/school/university engagement and communication activities
• Engaging with health and education stakeholders in the implementation of engagement/communication activities
• To implement KWTRP school and university engagement activities
• To keep KWTRP website updated with KWTRP Nairobi updates
• To support media liaison/communication and policy engagement where required
• To prepare/draft write-ups as may be required for inclusion in/ to support proposals, posters, presentations/seminars, IEC materials (including website content) and publications.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A degree in a relevant discipline (communications/ journalism/Public Relations/ Social science / health / Community Development)
• Experience in desktop publishing software (Correl Draw, Photoshop, etc)
• At least 3 years’ experience in public engagement/communication/development
• Experience of creating and implementing engagement/communication plans and activities in a busy organization
• Experience of preparing visual content for scientific/health communication media (e.g. websites, video, magazines, policy briefs, newspaper articles etc.) in a variety of styles to suit different audiences
• Excellent familiarity with modern and best practice approaches to communication, knowledge exchange and information management
• Computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft applications

COMPETENCIES:

• Good inter-personal skills and ability to network, build and maintain strong relationships
• ICT skills including familiarity with website design approaches
• Excellent presentation skills (use of PowerPoint or other media including video), excellent quality of written work in English
• Ability to work with limited supervision to meet deadlines