Act Change Transform (Act!) is a local Non-Governmental Organization whose mission is to facilitate the empowerment of marginalized people and communities, in Kenya and neighboring countries, to become active participants in their development by enabling them to: stand up for their rights; demand good governance in the management of resources; and participate in decision making processes. Act! does this through implementing partners, offering them capacity development, management of grants so that value for money is achieved and providing strategic leadership in national advocacy for the benefit of women, youth, people with disabilities and other marginalized communities.
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (Ref: ACT/SCO/03/2014:
1.0 Job Summary Reporting to the Head of Capacity Development & Quality Assurance (HOCD&QA), the Senior Communications Officer will provide communications advice, guidance and implement communications plans for Act! Specifically ensuring that the right communications resources are sought developed and distributed to the relevant audiences. The role will build a progressive communications culture that supports the strategic objective of creating an integrated organization with a strong brand identity shared across all employees and programmes.
2.0 Key responsibilities The main roles and responsibilities of the Senior Communications Officer will include but not be limited to the following:
2.1 Communications design • Develop Act!s communications strategy, plans and budget • Establish the credibility of communications as a management discipline • Create clear processes for sharing of information laterally between programmes and shared services as well as vertically • In partnership with the ICT function, ensure Act! is at the forefront of all communications technology • Ensure quality implantation of the Act! brand by nurturing the communications skills of employees to express themselves simply, clearly and powerfully. This will help give Act! a distinct competitive advantage within the sector. • Provide relevant communications training, coaching and mentoring to the Senior Management and Programming teams
2.2 Documentation and Publications • Produce compelling success stories, press releases, internal newsletters, annual reports, presentation materials and other communications products and publications • Contribute towards Act’s Knowledge Management strategies • Undertake photography and dissemination of photographic materials to speak to Act!s programming requirements • Provide videography and documentary support including idea generation, conceptualization and implementation • Provide communications materials for the website and social media outlets as a development tool for Act! • Edit all strategic documentation and publications for the organization- newsletters; annual reports and Funding proposals. • Provide quality control on all communications with Act! partners • Design and layout project documents including brochures and ensure Act! branding guidelines are adhered to. • Coordinate the production, collation and editing of Act! web articles • Ensure regular updating of the Act! Website content in liaison with the IT Manager.
2.3 External Communication • Develop strong media relations with key local and international media to promote Act!s profile • Participate in communications planning and briefing for example during press conferences and media interviews • Attend relevant external activities together with platform managers and New Business Development team
2.4 Project Management • Lead in communication strategic planning for each project Develop communication plans, including implementation plans, work plans and schedules across all ACT platforms and departments. • Manages and supervises the work of the Communication Program associates and interns • Represents Act! at meetings within the areas of operation, the wider network and beyond as directed 2.5 Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning • Develop a sound system for the monitoring of Act!s communication strategy • In liaison with the MERL and programme teams support the tracking and reporting of outcomes • Participate in and contribute to quarterly and other scheduled programme performance review meetings • Edit organizational bi-annual, annual and annual performance reports. 2.6 Capacity Development • Develop a Capacity Development / training plan and mentoring on communication for Act! • Provide technical guidance and support to the Capacity Development Team on communications standards • Provide technical support to the program teams for capacity development in communications for partners 2.7 Networking and representation • Establish and maintain regular contact with the media and partners as well as other relevant stakeholders • Implement a broad based communications market strategy for Act!s platforms and key competencies • Negotiate collaboration with the media with regards to press coverage and adverts • Attend external meetings and other Advocacy related gatherings through which Act! can profile our work • Represent the programme and Act! in meetings as delegated by supervisor 2.8 Resource Mobilization • Contribute to the development of Act! fund-raising strategy and annual fundraising plan • Participate in researching funding sources and donor trends to help position Act! ahead of major funding changes or trends • Participate in exploration of new income generation opportunities for Act! • Contribute in development of proposals for fundraising 3.0 Qualifications, Experience and Skills The minimum required academic and professional skills for the jobholder to perform successfully in their job are: 3.1 Academic qualifications • Masters degree or equivalent in Communication 3.2 Professional Qualifications • Post graduate qualifications in Mass communication / journalism • Qualifications in development communication or program/project design
3.3 Experience At least 6 years substantive experience in development communications
3.4 Essential competencies • Excellent written and oral communications skill • Strong analytical, editorial, report writing and documentary skills as well as excellent presentation and facilitation skills • Self-driven and able to deliver results with minimum supervision • Willingness to travel extensively within the country, work extended periods in the field and interact effectively with partners and willingness to learn new approaches • Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multicultural environment and with partners at all levels • Excellent creativity, organization and coordination skills • Excellent interpersonal, communication and design skills
How to apply:
If you meet the requirements as contained in the description, please submit (1) a detailed and current CV; (2) an application cover letter demonstrating why you qualify for this opportunity, quoting your current and expected gross salary. All applications should be submitted electronically to hr.admin@act.or.ke quoting the reference number (ACT/SCO/03/2014). Only candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted.