Organization: Adeso - African
Development Solutions
Position Title: Senior Communications Officer
Position Title: Senior Communications Officer
Reporting to: Regional Communications and Advocacy Manager
Program
/ Duty station: Nairobi,
Kenya, with frequent travel to field offices in Garissa, Wajir, Isiolo,
Turkana, and Marsabit
Duration:
1
year with possibility of extension
Starting
date: ASAP
Organizational
Context:
Adeso,
formerly known as Horn Relief, is an expanding and vibrant African based
international development and humanitarian organization.
At
Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full
potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which
Africans can thrive.
Our
belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a
healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming.
We
work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community
well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work,
providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.
For
the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental
awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects
in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future.
At
present, Adeso has programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan.
Adeso
is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It
offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and
development.
Project
Summary:
The
REGAL IR program is a 5 year initiative aiming to reduce hunger and poverty,
increase social stability and build strong foundations for economic growth by
strengthening social, economic, and environmental resilience in pastoral and
transitioning communities in Kenya’s arid lands.
It
has six thematic areas including diversifying livelihoods, improving value
chain inclusiveness, natural resource management, conflict management, disaster
risk reduction, and improving nutrition. The main project office is based in Isiolo
County.
REGAL-IR
implements activities in Isiolo, Garissa, Wajir, Marsabit, and Turkana
counties.
Position Summary:
Position Summary:
Adeso
is seeking a qualified and committed individual to join its team as Senior
Communications Officer for the REGAL IR Program being implemented in
Kenya.
Reporting
to the Regional Communications and Advocacy Manager and managing the day-to-day
communications needs of the program, the Senior Communications Officer will
oversee the implementation of the REGAL-IR Communication strategy, which
includes a wide-range of public-information and outreach activities in support
of the REGAL-IR program, targeting information to specific audiences both in
Kenya and the United Sates.
He/she
will also be responsible for overseeing the communications efforts of all
partners.
Specific Roles and Responsibilities:
Public
information and publicity materials
- Support REGAL-IR
by overseeing the drafting, editing, and dissemination of timely and
accurate information, fact sheets, press releases, responses for requests
for information, and other public-information materials relating to
program activities. These documents must be written in clear, concise
English, prepared for both reporters and general audiences;
- Prepare success
stories and submissions for various publications (including USAID’s
Frontlines);
- Provide guidance
to REGAL-IR program team and sub-grantees on USAID branding and style
guidelines, and ensure regulations are implemented;
- Review
communication materials being produced by sub-grantees;
- Provide
communication support to sub-grantees;
- Manage, prepare
and maintain an updated standard information package on the REGAL-IR
program for briefings and for distribution;
- Develop and
maintain public communication materials including fact sheets, brochures,
newsletters, presentations and other visual displays on REGAL-IR’s
programs and objectives;
- Oversee
procurement of public communication materials;
- Manage
consultants for translation of materials into local languages;
- Manage the
REGAL-IR website and web materials, including those supplied by Adeso’s
partners;
- Manage
REGAL-IR’s social media presence;
- Work with
external consultants for website development, photography, and video
production.
Media
Relations and Press
- Carry out
targeted information and media outreach activities. These activities are
designed to push accurate information about REGAL-IR to local, regional
and national markets in Kenya, the United States, and elsewhere, through
magazines, newspapers, radio, television, public service announcements,
and other outlets;
- Coordinate with
relevant counterparts within Adeso to produce and release accurate,
timely, useful and well-written information to local and international
news outlets;
- Write and
distribute press releases and follow up to encourage and support news
coverage;
- Monitor REGAL-IR
news coverage;
- In close
coordination with the Regional Communications and Advocacy Manager, expand
opportunities for coverage by arranging briefings, interviews, and tours
for journalists.
Community
outreach
- Work with radio
producers/stations in Kenya to develop and implement an Information,
Education and Communication campaign;
- Work with
partners to develop themes and messages for radio programs, and identify
relevant resource people for these programs;
- Work with
relevant providers to implement two-way exchange of information through
SMS services.
Other
- Any other duty
as may be assigned
Skills
and Qualifications:
Essential:
- Masters Degree
in Communications/Journalism or related field, or Bachelors degree and
demonstrated experience;
- At least 5 years
of experience working in Communications within a humanitarian or
development context, experience working on USAID-funded projects an asset;
- Experience in
managing websites and in using social media tools in a professional
context;
- Experience
working with local and international journalists;
- Experience
overseeing the design of radio programs and campaigns;
- Proven ability
to create messages and shape information and press materials and thorough
knowledge of news-writing style required;
- Experience and
skills in the use of software programs such as MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel,
and ability to use Adobe software such as InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator
an asset;
- Excellent
communications skills (oral and written), as well as a critical eye for
editing and grammar;
- Outstanding
written and spoken English and Swahili is essential;
- Demonstrated
effective organizational skills and ability to handle work in a timely
manner and to coordinate tasks to meet deadlines;
- Ability to work
in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with respect for diversity;
- Knowledge of or
interest in humanitarian and development programs, as well as a commitment
to Adeso’s mission and vision;
- Willingness and
ability to travel to remote locations.
Desirable:
- Good written and
spoken Somali, Turkana, and/or Borana;
- Knowledge of
USAID branding and marking requirements for Assistance Awards.
Application
Process:
This
is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated
professional.
If
you would like to join this dynamic team and help contribute to better
resilience and economic growth for African communities, please submit your
application to jobs@adesoafrica.org quoting the position in the email subject
matter, by July 12th, 2013.
Each
application should be addressed to the Human Resources Manager and include the
following:
- An updated CV;
- An application
letter which should includes full contact details of three work-related
referees;
- Two writing
samples.
This
position is only open to Kenyan Nationals.
Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed.
Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed.
Only
short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Adeso
is an equal opportunity employer.
Website:
www.adesoafrica.org