VACANT POSITION:  STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

OPENING DATE:  25^th January 2022 AT 12:30 P.M.

CLOSING DATE: 21st February 2022 AT 2:00 P.M.

WORK HOURS: FULL TIME BASIS/PART-TIME

Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE) is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of Gender, culture, nationality.  All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

KECOSCE does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Job Summary:

Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE) is a Kenyan National NGO active in the Coast, Northern Kenya and Nairobi regions of Kenya. KECOSCE has its main offices in Mombasa.

KECOSCE works with grassroots communities and at county/national level to facilitate a just, secure and progressive society.  This is achieved through our strategic pillars including strengthening Democracy, Good governance and Human Rights, Supporting Sustainable Environment and Natural Resources Management, promoting Peace, Security and Inclusive Societies, enhancing Gender Equality and Empowerment of women and strengthening organizational sustainability.

KECOSCE is seeking to recruit a Strategic Communications Officer to join its team of self-driven staff and contribute to the achievement of the organization’s vision.

Position Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Develop communications strategies that bolster KECOSCE’s reputation as a leading humanitarian and development organization. Craft messages that engage philanthropists, the press, thought leaders, and the general public. Build productive relationships with journalists, write effective pitches and press releases, edit newsletters, and plan and implement successful conference call series for donors. Develop and produce communications materials, including brochures, publications, briefing materials, press releases, and articles, and manage their dissemination
2. Maintain KECOSCE’s webe/online presence: Devise and implement the organization’s social media strategy. Manage all institutional social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram) with support from members of the staff for whom the CO will provide guidance on this activity. Ensure visibility and presentation of results organizational activities; ensure increased hits on the website and reach of the social media accounts, as well as evidence of visual content; Upload information to knowledge management system on a regular basis, including news, updates, and resources. Prepare and provide training and workshops on communication and advocacy to staff and partners, as appropriate.
3. Prepare and conduct communications needs assessments for the Organization including for projects, programmes and corporate change initiatives
4. Integrate communications, advocacy and outreach strategies into proposals for project/programmes and other initiatives; Advise management and Project Managers on daily implementation of the strategies;
5. Monitor and analyze print and social media and draft reports; Provide inputs to the quarterly and annual work plan and progress/annual reports;
6. Identify and propose information-sharing opportunities, activities, approaches and platforms and partners;
7. Develop a tailored strategy on working with media and manage relationships with the media; maintain and update a media database;
8. Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, and briefing sessions for the media, as required;
9. Design concepts of various communication products such as TV and radio programmes, websites, publications and other promotional or information materials in cooperation with staff and partners;
10. Ensures timely preparation of talking points, their relevance to the event and compliance with organization’s mandate and priorities.
11. Liaise with advocacy partners and undertake outreach to civil society organizations, governments, and other groups to ensure that newsworthy information reaches the public and donors;
12. Provide inputs to donor reports and information packages for donor review.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Quality communications strategy and timely implementation which leads to greater exposure and understanding of KECOSCE’s work
• Timely monitoring of current events and trends
• Quality and relevant advocacy materials and content
• Timely updating of website and social media
• Timely dissemination of materials as shown by knowledge of KECOSCE’s activities in country

• Regular interactions with mass media, as shown by coverage

Competencies

• Demonstrates ethics and integrity;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of KECOSCE
• Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions;

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Knowledge of web-based management systems
• Knowledge of production, graphic design and photography standards
• Knowledge of social media platforms and experience in social media outreach
• Knowledge of local and national media landscape.
• Ability to establish and maintain contacts with media at national and local levels,
• Ability to be strategic and analytical
• Knowledge of gender and human rights issues
• Outstanding oral and written communications and editing skills
• Proven ability to problem-solving and thinking creatively;
• Ability to facilitate and encourage open communication and communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Proven performance in organizing and coordinating major initiatives, events or challenging inter-organizational activities;
• Ability to establish priorities for self and others, achieve results and meet strict deadlines in an effective manner, maintaining a high quality standard throughout;
• Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• degree or equivalent in corporate communications, public relations, media communications, social sciences, international relations, journalism and/or other relevant.
• Additional training and certification in communication and related areas is a strong advantage.

Experience:

• A minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in communications including   experience in media relations.
• Experience in developing and implementing media/communications strategies and plans, including organizing awareness campaigns.
• Experience in active/advanced  use of social media, multi-media and digital platforms;
• Experience in writing reports, researches, articles and/or blogs;
• Experience working in a large development agency is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in oral and written Kiswahili and English.

How to Apply

In order to flatten the COVID-19 Curve, all Interested applicants are advised to send their applications ONLY THROUGH EMAIL. to [email protected]  indicating “Monitoring and Evaluation Officer” on the subject line.  This offer is will close on 21st February 2022 at 2:00 pm.EAT.  All applications will be treated with utmost confidentiality.