Since 1963 and in 146 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development, and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society. ACDI/VOCA currently has approximately 50 projects in 30 countries and total revenues of $174 million.
JOB SUMMARY
The Communications Manager will take a dynamic approach to developing and executing the Livestock Market Systems Activity communications strategy.
S/he will build relationships across the LMS project portfolio with staff and take a proactive approach to identifying stories and messaging that communicate LMS learning and results to various stakeholders, especially USAID.
S/he will lead both internal and external communications efforts, S/he will contribute to content-development of project outreach materials, including learning, success stories, Facebook/LinkedIn postings, Tweets, presentations, photography, videography, events management, and media relations.
S/he will liaise between project partners, beneficiaries, key project staff, and local service providers to build a strong bridge for the exchange of information and incorporate the project’s learning, results and findings into the overall communications and outreach activities of the project.
S/he will report directly to the Chief of Party. The position will be based in LMS office in Nairobi with eventual travel to the field.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Review the existing communication strategy and update it regularly, as applicable.
Develop the annual communications work plan based on the Leader and Associate awards work plans.
Execute the activities in the communications work plan using overarching communication strategy for LMS.
Attend monthly USAID communications meeting and actively participate in the LMS Communications Working Group and execute on action items that come out of these meetings.
Proactively work with field staff across LMS using the project updates from the field and other reporting to identify learning and achievements.
Craft messages (case studies, one pager, webinar, tweets, LinkedIn posts etc.) to disseminate learning and results to different stakeholders (USAID, implementing partners, government of Kenya and others);
Coordinate with program staff to gather information for writing programmatic communications including manuals, graphics, articles, success and impact stories that offer analytical story telling.
Share appropriate content with ACDI/VOCA’s HQ to be distributed on the weekly internal newsletter “AV Global”, on ACDI/VOCA’s public website and social media.
Edit project reporting deliverables such as quarterly and annual reports to ensure we are communicating our progress, learning, and results in alignment with USAID’s Journey to Self-Reliance.
Lead and coordinate with field staff the organization of events. This includes drafting communications collateral (manuals, press releases, key messages, success stories, talking points, graphics etc.).
Build the capacity of and provide communications support to LMS team.
Maintain a comprehensive database of communications consultants who can offer niche communications services.
Manage LMS’s photo library and conduct photo editing as appropriate.
Qualifications
Education: Master’s degree in Mass Communication or its equivalent
Experience: A minimum of 5 years’ experience in communication specially using digital media and excellent writing skills.
Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
Experience drafting and executing a comprehensive communication plan in support of a project strategy, incorporating a variety of media and tactics.
Experience writing and managing content for a variety of media including digital and social media platforms (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.), video scripts and storyboarding, case studies, and factsheets/briefings.
Ability to work proactively with teams to anticipate and identify learning and results occurring in the field and craft messaging around those.
Ability to work independently as well as build relationships across a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to represent the project in external meetings including with the donor.
Ability to research, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information quickly.
Ability and willingness to travel in LMS’s implementation counties (Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Turkana, Wajir), including to remote locations.
Knowledge of graphic design and photo/video editing software.
