Communications Officer Responsibilities and responsibilities:

Communications strategies

• Develop communication strategies and annual plans, to promote WASDA’s response and improve communication both internally and externally.
• Ensure gender mainstreaming into communications and public relations activities and maintain gender sensitivity towards staff to promote gender equality.
• Support organization campaigns, ensure media contribution, support and take initiatives towards campaign objectives in the country.
• Support program and advocacy initiatives of WASDA with technical coordination and advice to meet the required standards.
• Contribute to sharing and learning about WASDA’s work through efficient use of internal and external communication channels and systems: using social platform and other avenues.

Internal Liaisons and Communication

• Disseminate a steady flow of information (social media updates, human interest stories, talking points and Q&A, blogs etc.) for dissemination
• Regularly provide high-resolution, good quality digital images and video of WASDA’s work.
• Conduct regular field visits to interview staff and beneficiaries write human-interest stories and take photos and video.
• Develops and maintains various communications channels and materials
• Ensures website contents remain relevant
• Creates interactive social media contents and campaigns

Media and Public Relations

• the creation of a strong professional image of WASDA amongst media and reach the right audience within and outside Kenya.
• Develop and manage relationships with national media, journalist networks as well as NGOs and government authorities in the area of communications to ensure WASDA communications reach the right audience.
• Act as the main point of contact for media and respond to requests for information from journalists, government and donors, including arranging interviews and field visits.
• Act as spokesperson for the organization when appropriate and with approval of the Executive Director.
• Support/facilitate media/donor visits at country level to ensure the objectives of such visits are well met.
• Support measures to strengthen the capacity of staff to communicate using a variety of channels and for different audiences to faciliate the effective dissemination of WASDA’s programmes and projects.
• Efficient management of communications in crisis/disaster situations to create the right environment. Report on emergency/disaster situations according to required standards.
• Ensure proper documentation of WASDA’s information is available all times.
• Comply with WASDA’s Child Protection Policy at all times to safeguard and protect children from all forms of abuse.
• Perform any other work related duties to be assigned to support the attainment of organizational goals.

Knowledge, Skills, Behaviors, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Qualification and Experience

• At least first degree in journalism, Mass Communications or related field
• At least, five (5) years of relevant professional experience including management and implementation of communication strategies, and communication and marketing products
• Experience in the NGO sector

Demonstrated behaviors needed by the post-holder to successfully perform the role:

• Promotes innovation and learning
• Communicates clearly and effectively
• Ability to facilitate participative processes that leads to decision making and agreement
• Ability to operate effectively under extreme pressure including stress, high security risks and harsh living conditions. Works and lives with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner
• Strong competencies to plan, prioritize, and execute autonomously with strategic approach
• Ability to deliver to tight deadlines and budgets
• Capacity to prioritize subjects based on an adequate understanding of local reality
• Creativity and innovation

Knowledge

• Good knowledge of the communication/PR profession
• Project Management
• Knowledge in social media strategies and best industry practices
• Excellent writing, editing and reviewing skills – fluent in the English and Kiswahili
• Knowledgeable in working with local and international media.
• Knowledge in building individual and organizational capacity in communications and PR skills.

Skills Specific to the post needed to put knowledge into practice.

• Strong negotiation, facilitating and influencing skills
• Ability to understand different cultural contexts and marketing / PR realities related to development issues would be an advantage.
• Able “to put in practice” concepts and strategic thinking
• Excellent writing, editing and reviewing skills – fluent in the English, and/or Kiswahili Language
• Strong team building and motivational skills

How to apply

• To apply the above job please send your CV and cover letter to email: Send Email : info@wasda.or.ke
• Equal Opportunities: WASDA is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race or marital status or other protected characteristics