Position Summary
- The Communication Manager should be a dynamic, creative, and a
visionary individual with a keen sense of news and an ability to see the
bigger picture. This role is focused on crafting and executing an
ambitious and effective communications strategy aimed at enhancing USAID
Nawiri’s public profile and influence.
- They will be responsible for leading communications and media
efforts, including overseeing management and upgrade of communications
channels including the website and social media accounts; setting,
measuring and reporting on reach targets; writing and publication of key
documents such as annual reports, learning briefs and impact materials;
managing communications aspects relating to key high profile events and
workshops; expanding media contacts and increasing USAID Nawiri’s media
presence; and ensuring the highest quality of work from external
designers, photographers, and other media production specialists.
- The Communications Manager must be a strong communicator and
team leader, focused on building capacity and empowering the team to
achieve common communications objectives. They will provide technical
supervision to the County Communications team members, and support the
USAID Nawiri Team in articulating programmatic impact in our communities
to advance profile-raising, advocacy and learning goals. The
Communications Manager will actively elevate the program’s reputation as a
reference point for an informed and meaningful voice on key issues related
to persistent acute malnutrition in the Arid & Semi-Arid Lands
(ASALs).
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
- Develop and implement an ambitious communications strategy
which aligns with USAID Nawiri’s Evidence, Learning and Impact Agenda,
Mercy Corps Kenya’s Pathway to Possibility Strategy and Mercy Corps’
Africa Regional Communications Strategy.
- Oversee the preparation and implementation of detailed
communications workplans at national and county level, setting the bar for
creativity, innovation and results.
- Work with the Program Performance and Learning Director and
Regional Communications Manager to set, measure and report on aspirational
communications targets and performance metrics, using learnings to improve
future strategy.
- Oversee the development of a suite of communications tools and
products (such as FAQs, Technical Overviews etc) which can be used by all
team members whenever the need arises.
- Forge strong, institutional linkages and maintain a productive
working relationship with USAID, Government of Kenya, the NAWIRI
consortium, PREG Partners, and other relevant partners in the
communications and advocacy fields to ensure alignment of strategic
priorities and leveraging of each others resources to amplify reach and
impact.
- Support with risk mitigation on reputational risk issues, in
collaboration with the Regional Media Manager and the leadership team.
Media Engagement
- Work with the regional and global media teams to build and
maintain strong relationships with media outlets and journalists,
supporting media visits and interview, identifying promotional
opportunities and drafting supporting materials such as press releases, to
secure optimal coverage for USAID Nawiri initiatives and goals.
- Stay at the forefront of industry trends by actively
monitoring media coverage, key announcements, emerging evidence, and
high-level conversations to continuously refine communication strategies
and ensure alignment with USAID Nawiri interests.
- Manage USAID Nawiri’s social media platforms, supporting
communication team members to create engaging content, and monitor
performance metrics.
- Identifying strategic opportunities and new champions to
advance USAID Nawiri priority issues.
- Serve as the primary point person for all communications
related queries related to the Mercy Corps/USAID NAWIRI brand and ensure
training of other USAID Nawiri media representatives who can act as
spokespeople.
Content Development
- Translate complex concepts into clear, actionable messaging
for diverse audiences. This includes developing key messages, fact sheets,
social media content, and creative digital materials and will involve
working with technical program team members to achieve and support their
vision.
- Capitalize on data sources to ensure content is evidence
driven and grounded in tangible facts.
- Ensure that Mercy Corps NAWIRI’s work is accurately, regularly
and compellingly represented on Mercy Corps Global internal communications
platforms, including: internal agency content platforms — Workplace pages,
The Hub and The Globe as well as relevant donor media platforms and lead
the development of a monthly country-level Mercy Corps NAWIRI newsletter.
- Collaborate closely with technical and implementation teams at
the Nairobi and County levels to convey program strategies accurately and
cohesively and ensure alignment of branding, messaging, and consistency
across all communication channels.
- Act as the lead brand manager, maintaining USAID compliant
Branding and Marketing standards across materials, events, and other media
as outlined in the program’s Branding and Marking Guidelines.
- Coordinate and support the execution of high-level events,
including identifying invitees and speakers, developing agendas or
presentations and other communications related tasks.
Team Management
- Build and maintain a strong, collaborative and innovative team
culture, where communication colleagues are empowered, enthusiastic about
trying new things and are working towards a common goal.
- Work with county communications team members to develop
individual workplans, regularly provide performance feedback and build
their capacity in key communications areas.
- Oversee the communication budget on a monthly basis and ensure
it is being spent and monitored accurately.
Safeguarding Responsibilities
- Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into
their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their
area of work.
- Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the
dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
- Encourages openness and communication in their team,
encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using
reporting mechanisms e.g. Integrity Hotline and other options
Adherence to Policies and Procedures
- Personal conduct should always be professional and respecting
local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times
and in all in-country venues.
Accountability To Participants
- Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts
towards accountability, specifically to program participants and to
international standards guiding international development work, while
actively engaging ecosystem as equal partners in the design, monitoring
and evaluation of our field projects.
Knowledge and Experience
- Bachelor degree or equivalent in media and communications,
journalism, social studies or relevant field. Masters preferred. 7+ years
of experience in similar sector with demonstrated progression and results
will be considered in place of education.
- A minimum of 7 years of experience in communications and media
sector.
- Be the center of excellence when it comes to brand and
communication strategies, trends and new opportunities, consistently
refreshing your knowledge, which you share with the team and wider
organisation
- Ability to translate a vision into action, bringing energy and
enthusiasm to grow an impactful communications team and strategy, with
prior people management experience.
- Strong written and oral communication skills in English
required.
- Excellent computer skills, including experience with Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher. Experience with Adobe’s design suite a
plus.
- Commitment to building strong and cohesive teams, demonstrated
ability to grow team capacity and mentor, coach and champion junior team
members.
- Team-player with positive attitude to problem solving and
conflict resolution.
- Ability to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines
and to calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected events impacting
program operations.
How to Apply
