Deadline: 15 August, 2023

Location: Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Malawi, Senegal, Uganda, Rwanda or Zambia

Heifer International is seeking to fill the position of Communications Manager for Africa.

Heifer International is on a mission to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way by supporting and investing alongside local farmers and their communities.

Responsibilities

• In liaison with regional leadership, develop and implement a communications strategy for Heifer Africa
• Drive visibility and positioning of the Heifer brand across the region, in alignment with regional leadership
• Ensure alignment on the organisation’s brand and messaging strategies across the country offices
• Ensure adoption of all aspects of approved PR/brand DNA in all content – documents, presentations, brochures, adverts, and speeches
• Ensure that corporate narrative is deeply entrenched in all internal and external communication and visual expression
• Direct Heifer Africa’s brand positioning through cross functional and cross-team coordination and cooperation
• Serve as a champion for internal PR/corporate narrative
• Influence the tone, look, and feel of shared media platforms with close coordination with the global communications team
• Receive strategic direction and manage relationships/information flow with retained PR consultants
• Provide feedback and observations towards refining or re-thinking strategies
• Leverage data on Heifer’sr past successes in Africa to position
• Position Heifer appropriately in the public domain
• Identify suitable positioning opportunities
• Ensure top-of-the-mind awareness for Heifer and achieve the highest visibility in the development sector in key media
• Leverage media partnerships to position Heifer as thought leader on youth and technology to increase incomes for smallholder farmers
• Promote access to innovative finance and elevate Heifer’s voice to attract investors
• Showcase Heifer’s partnership with the private sector and governments
• Identify suitable programmes, events and initiatives for media leveraging and positioning
• Position Heifer as a thought leader in driving integration between technology and climate-smart agriculture
• Assist with developing the business case for Heifer and ensure visibility with key business media, government, and the local donor community
• Write opinion pieces that position Heifer Africa experts as thought leaders
• Responsible for Heifer Africa content development
• Assist with development of speeches/presentations/brochures/infomercials/short clip videos
• Assist with responses to media enquiries
• Manage all executive external and internal communication
• Provide high-quality, consistent programme and thematic content based on approved communication and brand DNA in multiple media channels, including press, web, and social media
• Create, maintain and conduct analytics reporting and extract key insights for future communication plans, complete with formal proposals and recommendations on tactics

Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Humanities, or a related degree, plus 15 years, minimum, of experience in a reputable PR/brand consulting firm, or corporate communications in a large organisation, preferably multi-national firm
• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Humanities, or a related degree, plus five years, minimum, of experience in senior management position leading public relations/brand management or corporate communications (desirable)
• Knowledge of public relations work applied across all forms of media
• Strong writing, editing and presentation skills
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in building networks, partners and collaborations for media and positioning
• Negotiation skills including ability to listen and persuade
• Global mindset, preferably with demonstrated experience in working at local and global levels
• Demonstrated experience in working with diverse cultural groups, and gender equity approach
• Experience in taking complex ideas and capturing them in accessible ways and multiple formats – briefing papers, positioning pieces, publications, press releases, and social media
• Experienced in identifying and managing sensitive media issues and crisis communications
• Ability to collaborate and build positive working relationships with multiple internal and external partners
• Experience with the design and implementation of results-oriented communication strategies
• Demonstrated experience managing and/or facilitating events, small convenings, and forums of experts (preferred)
• Ability to inspire and support the team and give expression to Heifer’s mission through word, media, and public relations activities
• Constant face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication with colleagues and the public
• Ability to confidently give oral presentations and impromptu speeches to a wide range of audiences
• Outstanding English writing and oral communication skills
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed
• Willingness and ability to work outside of normal business hours
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality

To apply and for more information, click here.

Photo source: Heifer International