Communications Officer Non-profit Jobs - Development Initiatives (DI)

Organisation: Development Initiatives (DI)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda or Nairobi, Kenya

Reports to: Head of Communications

Development

Initiatives (DI) works to end extreme poverty by 2030 by making data and

information on poverty and resources transparent, accessible and useable. Our

mission is to ensure that decisions about the allocation of finance and

resources result in the end of poverty, increase resilience and security of the

world’s most vulnerable people, and ensure no one is left behind. We work to

make sure these decisions are underpinned by objective and transparent data and

evidence, and lead to increased accountability and sustainable long-term

outcomes. DI works to support decision makers and others to make sense of both

existing data on poverty, vulnerability and crisis, and the resources available

to address them. We create innovative technical solutions to improve data

quality, make it more accessible and useable, and build the capacity of others

on data collection, publication and use.

Job Summary: The Communications Officer will be responsible for

identifying and pulling out key messages across projects and outputs and ensuring

colleagues are creating inspiring content across all formats. The incumbent will

also write engaging copy such as regular e-newsletters and targeted mass

mailings. The incumbent will also involve building and maintaining good media

contacts and ensuring the day-to-day running of regional digital communication

channels.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Develop and implement communications plans


• The incumbent will draft press releases and
  
  proactively engage with media contacts to obtain coverage for DI’s work


• Use digital communications to gain traction
  
  for DI’s content and buy-in for the organisation’s work and objectives


• Plan and manage production of corporate
  
  branded materials, ensure brand integrity, quality and consistency by
  
  adhering to the set brand guidelines and templates


• Plan and execute key communication
  
  activities, including launch events and national and regional roundtable
  
  forums


• Create and maintain a contact database for DI
  
  in the region, including a media contacts list


• The incumbent will draft and lay out mailings
  
  (including newsletters and updates) and coordinate their review and
  
  approval


• Offer support the delivery and maintenance of
  
  good internal communications and information sharing internally


• The Communications Officer will coordinate
  
  website content development in a timely manner and ensure focused, highly engaging
  
  written materials


• Package and communicate key messages in a
  
  creative and engaging way for diverse audiences that include a range of
  
  stakeholders at the sub-national, national, regional and global levels


• Identify key moments and maintain a calendar
  
  of DI activities and external events


• Work closely with the Head of Communications
  
  to ensure integrated and coordinated working across regions, and to
  
  support the delivery of corporate communications objectives


• Evaluate the impact of key communications
  
  tools through good monitoring, evaluation and impact processes

2. Organisational

Responsibilities:

• Implement and manage projects and activities
  
  in line with DI’s vision, mission, values and goals


• Render support in the development of new
  
  projects and identify new and emerging opportunities where the
  
  communications function is relevant.


• Develop and maintain effective systems and
  
  processes for communications activities ensuring these are consistent with
  
  DI’s operational requirements and policies


• Support the development and implementation of
  
  the organisational strategy

Qualifications, Skills and Experience: 

• The ideal candidate for the Communications
  
  Officer should hold an Undergraduate degree (ideally in a related field e.g.
  
  communications, journalism, international relations, economics, politics
  
  or development studies). A Master’s degree in related field is desired


• A minimum of three to five years of hands-on
  
  experience in communications and PR, preferably in a not-for-profit
  
  organisation or a development organisation


• The Communications Officer will be a
  
  creative, dynamic and smart working individual with exceptional
  
  copywriting skills and excellent attention to detail. They will have
  
  demonstrable experience in writing impactful communications materials and
  
  using digital communications to drive interaction with content, as well as
  
  engaging with the media


• Initiative, sound judgement and the ability
  
  to work harmoniously with individuals of different national and cultural
  
  backgrounds


• Working knowledge of, or keen interest in,
  
  development and poverty eradication


• Excellent communication skills, including
  
  experience of working effectively with diverse audiences, both verbally
  
  and in writing


• Ability to work under pressure yet deliver on
  
  time with attention to detail and accuracy


• Ability to work independently with minimal
  
  support as well as in a team environment


• Excellent written and spoken English, as well
  
  as a critical eye for editing and proofreading


• Ability to write a range of communications
  
  materials, including press releases, web stories and newsletters to a very
  
  high standard and in an engaging way


• Skilled in developing and delivering messages
  
  for a range of audiences, including translating technical and complex
  
  content into non-specialist language


• Previous experience working with journalists
  
  to secure media coverage


• Experience using social media tools in a
  
  professional context to drive user interaction online


• Previous experience in delivering digital
  
  mass mailings (preferably using a platform such as MailChimp or dotmailer)
  
  and managing contact lists


• Proven experience in developing and
  
  delivering communications plans


• Experience of event organising


• Professional experience in copyediting and
  
  proofreading is desirable


• Previous experience of using website content
  
  management systems such as WordPress is desired

All

suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their updated CVs (no

more than 3 pages) and covering letter which should detail your skills and evidence

of experience and how it relates to the job description via E-mail to: HR.Africa@devinit.org,

quoting ref: Comms officer, East Africa, in the email subject line. The cover letter

should also include your salary expectations, notice period/available start

date and where you saw the job advert i.e. theugandanjobline.com website.

Deadline: Wednesday, 4th May, 2016