Job Opportunity: Communications Coordinator- ActionAid International Kenya

Role Overview:

The holder of the position shall be responsible for the execution of AAIK’s Communications Strategy, develop and produce communications materials for organizational, policy, programme initiatives and partnership capacity support functions. The job holder in consultations with the ED will work closely with the organization’s Senior Management Team, unit managers, in developing appropriate communications packages for use by staff and partners. The post holder will maintain timely communication and work with Fundraising Officer – Child Sponsorship and Supporter Care to deliver on timely communications as well as manage online platforms and documentation for advocacy and campaigns. S/he will support partners to carry out their communications roles by developing content for website and other social media work.

Values Practice & Strategy Change Priorities

• Leading Innovation and Change – Establish a culture of excellence in respective to a team that values experimentation and continuous improvement
• Feminist Leadership – Championing feminist leadership principles and values including commitment to diversity and inclusion (race, gender, power)
• Child protection and safeguarding –Embed AAIK and sector’s approach to child protection and Safeguarding is embedded in all initiatives holistically
• AAIK Values Practice – Ensure a personal and team culture that demonstrates all of AAI’s Values including: Mutual Respect, Equity and Justice, Integrity, Solidarity with people Living in Poverty and Exclusion, Courage of Conviction, Independence and Humility

Organizational and Corporate Development

• Contribute to the development and achievement of the AAI’s strategic objectives including Country Strategy development.
• Keep the other members of the AAIK informed on communications
• Ensure compliance & stay current with international, regional, and local legal requirements in the programme respective areas

Programme and Strategy support

• Coordinate development and dissemination of policy and advocacy resources and briefs on AAIK’s development and humanitarian issues
• Coordinate and generate policy papers, confidential lobby briefs to inform advocacy actions, media and popular campaign initiatives and products
• Facilitate rollout of AAIK advocacy plan (with timeline and key outcomes)
• Collaborate with SMT on effective brand risk management, strengthen risk controls, minimize risk exposure and responding to opportunities
• Support documenting of evidence for policy research and advocacy strategy, policy briefs and position papers and generate content development of policy briefs for inclusion in county/ national policy briefs
• Coordinate programme findings and lessons learned to key stakeholders by producing and sharing quality lessons learnt documents.
• Manage effective communication from community to AAIK, other partners or other relevant stakeholder

Media, website and social media

• Enhance and actively promote AAIK’s brand and works via various platforms and channels, particularly the digital and social media platforms
• In consultations with the Executive Director serve as Communication point of contact for AAIK and focal person for promoting AAIK in the media including TV, Bill Boards, Radio, Prints.
• Coordinate capacity building for staff and partner organizations on communication processes.
• Work with unit heads to coordinate creation of content and uploading of relevant documents on to AAIK’s website and internal sites
• Develop, execute, maintain and utilize AAIK’s social media strategy and content and social media calendar
• Collect, edit and post blogs written by partners, sponsors, staff, etc. on website and external sites

Internal Coordination and communication

• Create internal communications protocols and initiatives that will foster employee moral
• Define key performance indicators for each communications channel which will indicate a level of success
• Monitoring results reached by the work developed by the communications according to the agreed objectives, providing adequate feedback to each person in the team on their performance and achievements and adopting the need measures to adjust areas of work, plans, delivery of products, behaviours and attitude
• Write and deliver internal newsletter on a monthly basis
• Serve as a gatekeeper, work closely with and support communications need of other programme and fundraising units.
• Coordinate all communications functions across AAIK, manage proactive and reactive initiatives for AAIK’s fundraising, campaigns and advocacy, and programme activities.

Fundraising Support

• Responsible for script writing and production of fundraising adverts and documentaries.
• Work with Programmes and Strategy Lead and Fundraising and IPD Lead to create content and design information, educative and communication materials for fundraising engagement.
• Coordinate the editorial team and ensure their communications work, outputs and productions are effective, appropriate and innovative to inspire the public and solicit their support to AAIK work.

Branding and visibility

• Support donor communications and reporting that require materials that demonstrate impact of our interventions
• Lead and develop AAIK’s brand communications and engagement guidelines, and ensure effective delivery and related activities to achieve AAIK’s goals and objectives
• Coordinate development of key performance indicators for each communications channel which will indicate level of success
• Reach out to influencers, media and beyond in order to arrange story placement at national level

People Management, Mentoring and Development

• Support recruitment of partner staff (where need be) and ensure availability of and provide appropriate professional development opportunities.
• Organize capacity development programmes for staff
• Establish measurable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations; coaching, mentoring and other development opportunities; recognition and rewarding for outstanding performance

Other Duties

• Participate actively in meetings, planning and review activities regarding LRP and partner programming.
• Actively participate in key relevant internal meetings such as programme review meetings or LRP Area meetings as required. Participate in any donor visit to project(s) within AAIK, as required.
• Perform other functions that will be assigned by the Line Manager

Minimum Requirements

1. A Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Communications, Public Relations, Media studies , Journalism or their equivalent from a recognized University;
2. Have at least Five (5) years working experience in communications and public relations in an INGO;
3. Experience in preparing and analyzing publications, communication plans and drawing insight for use by management and donors;
4. Have good understanding of human rights, women’s rights, social mobilization, socio-economic justice;
5. Communications for development and humanitarian work is preferred.

Essential knowledge and skills

• Excellent negotiation and communication skills, including demonstrated ability to handle sensitive negotiations on matters affecting AAIK staff, partners and communities.
• Ability to maintain donor relationship and accountability in line with funding policies and standards.
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Excellent planning and prioritization skills
• Excellent Skills in Programme Information Management
• Strong analytical/problem solving, and management of crisis, conflict, and risk