Communications Specialist at Colleges and Institutes Canada

Responsibilities

• Lead development of the Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET Communication Strategy and workplans;
• Implement communications strategy and keep staff strategic in their communications outputs;
• Work with technical staff to devise communications plans for program activities;
• Coordinate all communications activities with implementing partners and program staff;
• Manage the program external communication:
  • Identify new and innovative tools and communications channels;
  • Identify communications opportunities and threats and advising staff;
  • Developing deep understanding of target audiences.
  • Lead media relations for Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET program: develop and distribute press releases, editing and drafting articles and blogs, maintain a database of journalists and media coverage, answering journalists’ inquiries and ringing round/cold calling journalists.
  • Lead maintenance of social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+.
  • Managing events: taking photos, live streaming, shooting video, editing it, posting it to YouTube and digitally disseminating it.
  • Oversee the compilation of a regular e-newsletter, clearance and distribution.
• Oversee the communication, marketing and outreach strategy aimed at increasing awareness of TVET, of CBET courses and RPL services in collaboration with the program communication consultants;
• Collaborate with program staff on youth engagement activities as part of the program Communication Strategy;
• Organize events related to youth engagement and outreach: planning, building audiences, arranging venues and other logistics.
• Create and support the dissemination of impact stories and program communications materials;
• Write and edit with dignifying and person-first language to reach a broad audience with clear, concise and accessible language;
• Provide communication support to partner institutions in Kenya and Canada related to program activities;
• Provide input into program budget planning for communication activities;
• Support quarterly and annual program reporting: prepare communication activities report, review and edit the full program narrative reports;
• Monitor and evaluate communication activity impact, including news media monitoring.
• Review, assess and adapt the program’s communications activities using indicators established by the overall communications strategy;
• Ensure program’s adherence (CICan and partners) to the Mastercard Foundation communication and branding guidelines;
• Ensure that messages are consistent and aligned with CICan’s mission and values;
• Participate in program committees to represent communication themes;
• Support administrative functions including organizing and indexing materials on the CICan SharePoint site so that communications resources can be easily accessed;
• Manage staff, consultants and suppliers.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Reporting

The employee will work under the direction of the STA/CICan Representative of the CICan Kenya Office, in close collaboration with the Ottawa-based Manager of Operations. The employee is expected to work with a high degree of independence and autonomy.

Qualifications and Competencies

Essential:

• Full fluency in English and Swahili;
• Kenyan citizen or legally permitted to work in Kenya. Note: CICan will not provide a work permit or sponsor individuals;
• Master’s Degree in a related subject area (communications, public relations or similar);
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar role in Kenya in an international development project with an international organization;
• Demonstrated experience in producing high quality communications materials (e.g. impact stories, success stories, fact sheets, social media, website content, articles, press releases, speeches) in English;
• Exceptional written communication skills (writing, editing, proofing), including the ability to write for a range of audiences and formats based on complex, technical content e.g. press releases, blogs, articles, scripts and website content;
• Experience of media relations and networking with Kenyan media partners/journalists;
• Excellent verbal communication, including the ability to ‘sell in’ stories and ‘cold-call’ journalists;
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively on a team;
• Demonstrated experience working with an international team and development practitioners;
• Meticulous attention to detail and a high level of accuracy;
• Ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision to prioritise a busy workload
• Critical thinking, inquisitive and innovative mindset;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; the ability to deal with people at all levels, internally and externally, in a confident, assertive and professional manner;
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to organise and assist with events;
• Capable multi-tasking and understanding of logistical requirements;
• A deadline driven personality;
• A mission motivated personality;
• Excellent IT skills (Microsoft Office and CMS skills essential).

Highly desirable:

• Experience with creating and editing video content;
• Graphic design and desktop publishing skills (including Microsoft Publisher, the Adobe or Corel suites);
• Experience of creating and editing digital media and publishing it in a variety of outputs (Storify, Prezi, Slideshare, YouTube);
• Experience of using social media channels (such Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram) and extending their reach;
• Experience using project management skills;
• Experience of managing consultants, freelancers, agencies and other external service providers.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the education or TVET sector in Kenya;
• Ability to use a still & video camera and to edit video quickly and to a professional standard (using Adobe Premier Elements);
• Experience using a contact database;
• Experience of using website CMS;
• Experience working with technical experts.