Communications Manager Jobs at CARE International
CARE International in Kenya is looking for a well organized and highly motivated individual who is result-oriented to fill the following position:
Communications Manager
Ref: CM/3/2013
Department/Project: Communications
Supervisor: Country Director
Location/Duty Station: Nairobi
Grade: H
Reporting to the Country Director, the incumbent will enhance the sustainability of the mission by improving CARE Kenya’s public image by promoting public and media awareness of CARE’s broad programmatic areas; Global Fund HIV/AIDS prevention, Refugee assistance and Livelihoods initiatives.
Supervisor: Country Director
Location/Duty Station: Nairobi
Grade: H
Reporting to the Country Director, the incumbent will enhance the sustainability of the mission by improving CARE Kenya’s public image by promoting public and media awareness of CARE’s broad programmatic areas; Global Fund HIV/AIDS prevention, Refugee assistance and Livelihoods initiatives.
Job Summary & Purpose:
To enhance the sustainability of the mission by improving CARE Kenya’s public image by promoting public and media awareness of CARE’s broad programmatic areas; Global Fund HIV/AIDS prevention, refugee assistance and livelihoods initiatives.
To be responsible for improving the flow of information within the organization and managing relations with media representatives, promoting public awareness of successes of relief and development programmes, improving CARE’s relations with the government and fostering knowledge and support for CARE relief and development activities by representatives of line ministries through the provision of concise, regular reports about ongoing activities.
To secure CARE’s positive image in publications and electronic coverage by providing up-to-date information to meet demands from the press and electronic media and be responsible for providing general situational information and updates on CARE’s work and send to CARE members, regional offices and partners.
Tasks and responsibilities
R1: Development and implementation of a communication strategy for improving relations with the Government of Kenya.
Tasks
- Identification of key officials, departments, ministries
- Planning and coordination of conferences, briefing meetings, field visits, project launches or handovers, and social events for increasing interaction with appropriate level officials
- Production of public statements, speeches
- Develop collegial connections with government representatives for directing their interests to CARE accomplishments.
R2: Development and implementation of a media strategy for improving CARE’s public image in Kenya
Tasks
- Production of articles for internal and external media on CARE Kenya activities
- Provide information and creative input for pamphlets, promotional, materials, videos, photos, exhibition displays.
- Develop collegial connections with media representatives; provide updates and factual background information and tips on stories about CARE projects, highlighting accomplishment.
- Work with CARE Canada and CARE International media and communications departments to provide information, photos and stories about CARE Kenya for international media
- Preparation press releases, as required.
R3: Development and implementation of an internal communications strategy to improve knowledge of staff about CARE Kenya, CARE Canada, CARE International
Tasks
- Production of project summary reports
- Production of newsletter
- Provide update stories/articles/photos for CARE website
- Provide recommendations to senior programme staff on strategies for dealing with government officials/departments/ministries
- Prepare updates and handouts on CARE’s work and situation for visitors and for regional and country offices and CARE members.
- Prepare a monthly internal news bulletin, which is a means of mass communication with CARE staff and an opportunity for feedback to senior management.
R4: Provide the Country Director with reliable information and talking points for responding to media demands for interviews
R5: Serve as media and information focal point in emergency response
Tasks
- With input from emergency manager and ACD Programme prepare and update emergency situation reports
- Support emergency programme team in information management, preparation of information bulletins etc, to ensure that CARE Kenya and CARE International are up-to-date about the emergency response
- Act as main focal point for media enquiries, help arrange and prepare talking points for interviews, prepare written media releases/photos
- Deal directly with CARE Communications Working Group
R6: Supervise and support Advocacy Assistant in the development of an advocacy strategy for CARE Kenya
R7: Network with sector coordinators, programme coordinators, project managers, district managers, consultants, CARE members, other country offices and regional offices, NGOs, UN agencies to promote sharing of current information.
R8: Train project line staff and national staff in protocol and dialogue techniques with government officials.
Authority:
- Spending Authority: None/Support budget
- Supervision: 1 staff member
- Decision Making: Analytical decision-making in media, communications, advocacy, development trends, research and policy formulation
Contacts/Key Relationships (internal & external):
- Reports directly to Country Director
- Works closely with Executive Assistant
- Collaborates with Sector Managers, Programme Coordinators, Project Managers, IT unit
- Coordinates with media, public, and officials from line ministries in government in reference to information and reporting, as well as other development partners, stakeholders, and the public
- Coordinates and networks with CI Media & Communications Coordinator, Head of Global Advocacy, CARE Canada’s Communications and Fundraising teams, CI Communications Working Group
Working Conditions:
- Based in Nairobi, with 25 per cent travel to the field
Qualifications:
- Education: A Bachelor’s Degree in International Development, Journalism Communication or any other relevant area and at least 2 to 5 years work experience in a similar organization
- Experience: Experience with digital photography
- Competencies: Excellent writing and desktop publishing skills.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills, team work, good public relations, self driven, problem solving and decision making skills.
- Fluency in English and Kiswahili is a must.
- Computer literacy a must.
The Communications Manager must be able to operate without close supervision and be self-organized on tasks and outputs including unobtrusive use of logistics support.
Applications
If you feel you meet the requirements for this position, send your application indicating the reference number, title of the position along with an updated CV and telephone contacts of three professional referees to:
The Human Resources & Development Manager,
CARE International in Kenya,
Email: Vacancies@care.or.ke so as to be received not later than 22nd March, 2013.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
