Communications Officer Job Vacancy in Uganda at SIHA Network

Job Title: Communications Officer SIHA Network
Application deadline: December 30th, 2011
Location: Kampala- Uganda

Job summary: The work of the communication Officer will address the key areas of information management and access to information, editing and reviewing of SIHA documents in addition to enhance and maintain communication with SIHA Network members in the Horn of Africa region.
Place and Hours of Work: SIHA Secretariat office in Kampala, Uganda. The office hours are 9-5. The post holder will be expected to undertake some work outside normal office hours during evenings and at weekends.
Duration: 1 year; this will include 3 months of probation
About SIHA:

The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa –SIHA Network is a coalition of civil society organisations from North and South Sudan, Uganda, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Somaliland. SIHA was founded in 1995 by a collection of women's groups with the view of strengthening the capacities of women organizations in the Horn of African countries.
SIHA is advocating for social change and gender equality for men and women in the Horn of Africa and working specifically on: gender equality, eliminating violence against women and girls, promoting human rights, peace building and conflict transformation, enhancing women’s leadership and political participation and production and dissemination of knowledge.
SIHA has grown over the years and has now established a strong constituency of over 40 members in the different states of the Horn of Africa. SIHA secretariat is in Kampala, Uganda from where all programs are monitored. Then, SIHA has an office in Khartoum, Sudan and Nyala, Darfur in addition to in country coordinators in Somaliland, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Requirements:
• The post holder will have a post graduate degree and /or appropriate experience and studies in either communication, Journalism , English language or literature
• Excellent oral and written skills in English and strong editing and reviewing and summarising abilities.
• Able and interested in working on posting and updating information online into SIHA website and face book page
• Experience and interest in working with grassroots and community based civil society organisation
• Interest and ability to perform information gathering desk and field research
• Knowledge of the Horn of Africa region
• Abel to work under pressures and to prioritize work load responsibilities
• Good organisational, coordination skills ; good interpersonal and communication skills; the ability to liaise effectively with people at various levels

• The ability to work as a member of a multicultural team and to work on your own initiative and the ability to be self-servicing
• Willingness to undertake travel in the Horn of Africa; cultural and political sensitivity and openness are essential.

Profile:
The candidate for this position should have a strong communication skills and interest in performing information gathering and compilation, editing and reviewing. She or he should have a strong writing abilities and the capacity to promote SIHA and its members. The candidate should have strong sense of initiation and ability to suggest and apply various effective communication strategies.
The candidate must have a genuine interest in women rights and the principles of gender equality.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
• Implement SIHA communication activities in collaboration with SIHA team and member organizations
• Editing and reviewing and supervising the quality of SIHA publications including; project progress reports, proposals, concept notes and any other documents needed by the SIHA team
• Manage and upgrade SIHA website and face book page
• Prepare and disseminate SIHA online weekly and annual newsletters.
• Assist in program and project work implementation.
• Maintain an up to date email list and contact details of all member organizations, associates and donors.
• Fallow up and communicate with SIHA members organizations through their websites and regular emails and meetings
• Mission visits to Horn of Africa countries to visit other SIHA offices/member organizations, to follow-up on ongoing activities.
• Work closely with SIHA teams across the Horn region and establish communication with SIHA offices and area coordinators.

Please submit you C. V , cover letter and the contact information of at least two professional references not later than: 5:00 pm December 30th ,2011 via email to: sihahornofafrica@yahoo.co.uk

Secretariat
SIHA Horn of Africa
P.O.Box 5
Ntinda, Kampala
Uganda
Tel/Fax: 256-414-286263
Address: Plot 80, Semawata Road
Ntinda, Kampala
Uganda
Email: sihahornofafrica@yahoo.co.uk
www.sihanet.org

SudanOffice
P.O Box: 1805
Omdurman,Sudan
Tel/Fax: 249-183-571789
Address: Khartoum South, Kht/3
Ahmed Khair St West to Algorashe Park.