Job Title: Communication and Social Media Officer – The Tree of Life Kenya 

Organizational Profile

Fondazione L’Albero della Vita – The Tree of Life Kenya is an organization registered in Kenya as a Trust with the aim of ensuring the wellbeing, protection and promotion of the rights of children and their families and encouraging community development.

The Tree of Life envisions a world without poverty where children can enjoy their rights; grow up in a safe environment, protected from all kinds of violence and abuse, with access to equal opportunities.

The organization has been working in Kenya since 2011, focusing on the sectors of Child Protection, Education and safeguarding of children.

The Tree of Life has been operating in the space of Juvenile Justice, Care Reform, Alternative Family Care, TVET and job inclusion for vulnerable youth, as well as improving education, Wash, nutrition and health services in the ASAL and in the informal settlements of Nairobi.

The Project

The Tree of Life is starting up a new program in Kenya in collaboration with several Government Departments, and national and international partners. The project, entitle “RISE”, aims at activating and strengthening formal, inclusive educational services, personal and professional development and sexual and reproductive health pathways to children and youth, both vulnerable and in conflict with the law in Kenya, focusing on the role of Government institutions, educative communities and the private sector. The proposed action is part of a framework of major structural changes in Kenya in the field of Education (reform of the education system), Protection (Care Reform) and the juvenile / child justice system (Restorative Justice, ADR).

Job Title: Communication and social media Officer

Supervisor: Programme Coordinator

Duty station: Nairobi, with travels in the project’s target areas if required

Starting date: 1st July 2023

Deadline for application: 28th May 2023

Summary of the Role:

The Communication and social media officer will design, manage and implement the Tree of Life communications & Advocacy strategies, and will support the fund-raising strategy with the objective of increasing the visibility, the fund raising and promoting the work of the organization in the country, as well as increasing awareness for Tree of Life’s mandate and programmes among its partners, the media and the general public.

The candidate will be also responsible for operationalizing the RISE project’s communication and advocacy plan, in compliance with all donor’s guidelines.

He/she will act as the main focal point for communication and visibility while in charge of the management, animation, dissemination and development of communication tools, information supports and external and internal visibility operations of the organization.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Support the preparation of communications and advocacy budgets.
• Review, consolidate and implement the communication, visibility and advocacy component of the RISE project, as per project and budget approved, in synergy with the communication office of Tree of Life Headquarters.
• Manage the Tree of Life social media channels in Kenya (Fb, Twitter, Linkedin, etc.), as well as the website, updating the editorial content of Tree of Life, ensuring regular and timely updates and information sharing about the work of Tree of Life, scheduling social media posts on all platforms at different times of the day/week.
• Ensure an increase in exposure and followers on social media; monitor and report content performance, engagement, and community growth to guide future targeting and planning.
• Design, develop and edit communication media (newsletter, updates, posts, etc.), preparing high-quality online and published materials to convey clear and effective messaging.
• Collect visibility and information materials, strengthening and ensuring proper visibility of the organization and the RISE project in Kenya, through various activities and channels.
• Create and schedule content for communication supports online and offline: document results and best practices including compiling impact stories, lessons learned, articles, key messages, interviews, blogs, developing presentations and other communication materials, to increase the visibility of Tree of Life projects and their results, disseminating communication products as per communication strategy.
• Structure and monitor editorial and communication processes and procedures: follow-up of monitoring communication tools, field-to-head office in Nairobi, templates to collect information from the field staff, etc.
• Ensure that all developed materials maintain a high degree of consistency, accuracy, and relevance.
• Maintain a communications and marketing assets library, including photos, videos, case studies, and social media graphics and visibility materials of Tree of Life operations.
• Support program teams for project visibility and donors’ visibility, ensuring compliance with all donors’ visibility guidelines.
• Review and improve deliverables developed in the framework of the Tree of Life ongoing programs, such as manuals, guidelines, SOPs, Concept Notes, etc.
• Contribute to the development of programs-related documents, such as Fact sheets, Capability statements, Presentations-Ppt, Concept Notes, etc.
• Enhance stakeholders’ understanding on Tree of Life operations through dissemination of relevant communication and media related information at national, regional, and international level, monitoring news outlets to explore opportunities to introduce the work and mandate of Tree of Life.
• Influence key stakeholders, media, policy makers, NGOs, and governments about Tree of Life programmes and views, through identified media outlets, social media platforms, website.
• Any other duty as required by the supervisor in line with the post and relevant to the achievement of the Tree of Life objectives.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Bachelor degree in Communication, Marketing, international relations, international development or related discipline from a reputable international or Kenya institution.
• Ability to leverage proper marketing across key social media and communication platforms.
• Strong writer and analytical reader, especially for deliverables to be developed for external stakeholders (e.g. donors & partners).
• Communication, presentation, networking, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to write, edit, and distribute content, including publications, press releases and any other marketing material that communicates the organization’s activities, products and services.
• Ability to work independently, suggest practical solutions and follow-up effectively on the management decisions.
• Good planning skills, pro-activity, creativity, and ability to meet the established deadlines.
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian and development context in Kenya and East Africa
• Computer skills (Microsoft office word, excel, etc.).
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to summarize complex information in clear, non-specialist language.
• Confident in managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work quickly and flexibly in changing circumstances.
• Background knowledge on development issues and /or areas related to Child Protection and Education will be a strong asset.
• Motivated by our vision of creating a world where everyone is an educator, and where Children are the key actors of human and social development, being a faithful reflection of the past, present and future of the growth process.

Other Skills Required

• Honesty and strong ethics are required in order to be successful in this position.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated capacity and willingness to learn – open to learning new ways of doing things.
• Firm belief in teamwork, gender equality, participatory approach and sustainable development.
• Planning and management skills.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in media & communications work and advocacy, marketing or fund-raising sector and carrying out similar tasks.
• Proven track record of managing media platforms, producing media content, using digital marketing methods, with a view to building and maintaining online engagement.
• Proven experience in planning and organizing events and activities.
• Photo & Video production and editing skills and experience; good knowledge of visual design and layout development for information materials.
• Experience of working with diverse teams, as well as ability to work with partners using effective interpersonal and communication skills.

Confidentiality

Employees must sign a child Safeguarding Policy and a confidentiality agreement, and may not share organizational materials without the express written permission from a supervisor.

Respect – the Tree of Life aims to always show respect and appreciation for team members, Partners and all.