Trending Jobs: Communications Specialist at Heifer International

Monday 11 January 2021

Communications Specialist at Heifer International

Heifer International’s mission is to work with communities to end world hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth. Dan West was a farmer from the American Midwest and member of the Church of the Brethren who went to the front lines of the Spanish Civil War as an aid worker. His mission was to provide relief, but he soon discovered the meager single cup of milk rationed to the weary refugees once a day was not enough. And then he had a thought: What if they had not a cup, but a cow? That “teach a man to fish” philosophy is what drove West to found Heifer International. And now, nearly 70 years later, that philosophy still inspires our work to end world hunger and poverty throughout the world once and for all.

Description

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

FUNCTION

Heifer International is partnering with Cargill Inc. on the upcoming USAID project in India and Kenya. This anticipated five-year-multi-country activity will require the expertise of a qualified full-time Communication Specialist for Heifer International Kenya’s role on the project, which is implementing innovative, market-driven, and sustainable solutions that will inform research and development.

The Communication Specialist has the following roles:

Responsible for leading and coordinating the communications plan for Kenya that feeds into the global communications plan for the project.
S/he plays a critical role for the project by serving as the principal focal point for internal and external communication of the project in Kenya.
S/he is responsible for establishing and managing relations with partners, media, and government representatives within Kenya, as well as being responsive to USAID requirements.

Work closely with Heifer International’s Global Communications Team, Support documentation and dissemination impact data is shared with appropriate stakeholders. The outputs are communications products that drive the project’s social behavioral change objective around increasing awareness and education.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS
Stakeholder focused, strong writer, manager complex communication environments, creative, analytical, pragmatic, self-motivated, attentive to details and team player.

Responsibilities & Deliverables

A.Communication Planning and Product Development and Partnership (50 %)

Design and develop communication strategy for the project in compliance with Donor’s requirements, aligned with global communication strategy and coordinating with Heifer International’s Global Communications Team.
Lead the design, development, and quality control of all the projects communication products and materials following USAID, Cargill and Heifer’s branding and marketing requirements.
Work Closely with Project Director, Project Manager for each country, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MELs) team to tell the story of project achievements, including project background, successful stories, and best practices with media and internal and external stakeholders.
Support country teams to plan and execute project launches, end of project conferences, and other project events as needed.
Develop and nurture good working partnerships and linkages with NGOs, government agencies, local institutions including and other like-minded organizations to advance the objectives of the project as well the mission of Heifer and the project partners.
Support the engagement of and liaison with SBCC Consultant towards the achievement of project milestones as well as support stakeholder workshops and Key M & E events

DELIVERABLE

Approved project communication strategy in place and is reviewed and updated at least twice a year reflecting project communication priorities and global communication priorities.
Regular coordination on strategy and other deliverables with Heifer International’s Global Communications Team
Develop quality communications materials and products that follow USAID, Cargill and Heifer branding guidelines for internal and external use.
Project reports are timely produced with quality and professionalism, including but not limited to annual, quarterly, and Monthly reports
Outreach project events are successful and well participated.
Good working relationship and linkage is maintained with Government, media, NGO’S and other stakeholders. Including donor community point of contact and communication officers, local government public relation officers,
Communication plans and activities are implemented on time and within budget.
Project activities and events are documented in a most accurate and professional manner.

B. Mass Media Campaign on Animal Health and Nutrition (25%)

Develop an overall project mass media campaign and outreach strategy for the project duration; including social media, blogs, other web-based means to reach in-country and global audiences and manages social media accounts.
Generate an annual plan of key project mass media activities, events, and materials.
Develop key messages and materials including radio, print and electric media materials on poultry production, nutrition, and consumption.
Support the development of messaging and instructions targeted towards consumers of the small pack animal feed additive to ensure proper use and adoption

DELIVERABLE

Mass Media and dissemination and outreach strategies developed and monitored quarterly with communication focal points of the project, plugging into multi-country strategy.
Successfully carry out the project Annual Communication Program including activities such launch events, radio and television features, press releases, impact stories delivered, newsletters, web content, etc.
Mass media campaign activities implemented, and reach monitored for all the project target audiences.
Appropriate communications and marketing material targeting project participants developed and rolled out in consultation with the project partners.

C. Managing of communication materials (10%)

Ensure both proactive and reactive communication to Cargill, USAID and Heifer stakeholders concerning project events.
Maintain and update communication and networking files
Develop and maintain communication materials such as photographs, films (both soft and hard Copies) and recording materials such camera in line with Heifer’s brand guidelines
Strengthen Heifers branding and visibility with government officers and development community (donor and NGO).

DELIVERABLE

Communication and information materials are well managed and high quality.
Communication Assets are safeguarded and well managed.
Develop and maintain a stakeholder database

D. Knowledge management and organization learning and exchange processes (10%)

Secure coverage in relevant newspapers and journals.
Facilitate capacity building program to country staff on communication parameters i.e. success story write-ups, Photography, among others.

DELIVERABLE

Organization and project participants are well conversant with the intervention in question.
Project capacity development needs in communications and train staff in the use of communication equipment, writing skills, media relations, etc.
Contribution to the establishment of an Animal Health and Production Information System in the target counties.

E. May perform other job-related duties as assigned (5%)

Carry out other duties that may be assigned to you in the interest of Heifer International and the partners

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s in Public Relations, Communications, Development Studies, or related field, plus at least five (5) years of related experience. Must be able to synthesize technical material into short and concise communication pieces across different platforms; ability to work independently, under supervision, and part of a team; culturally aware and sensitive. Experience in creating, marketing, and disseminating publications and other communications products; fluency in Microsoft office, adobe acrobat, and Adobe Creative Suite; knowledge and ability to articulate pertinent issues in agricultural or health-related research and development is essential and previous experience with USAID funded projects. Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Requirements

Master’s degree in a similar field preferred with at least 5 years of practical working experience in communication and networking.
Prior working experience supporting Agricultural or Health-related research and development is a plus.
Prior knowledge and experience in the field of Social Behavior Change Communications and Monitoring and Evaluation.

Most Critical Proficiencies

Good analytical and writing skills and ability to verify information.
Excellent qualities and management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
A good understanding and sensitivity to issues associated with poverty, hunger, environment, natural resources management, climate change and knowledge of the context to which non-profit organizations operate.
Ability to promote the vision and strategic goals of Heifer International and its partners.
Computer proficient in word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, email, and Internet software (Microsoft Office preferred).
Conversant with communication soft wares for report, video, and photo editing
Strong organizational skills.
Skilled at strategic thinking and anticipating future developments and trends to incorporate them into organizational plans.
Demonstrated proficiency in English and Kiswahili oral and written.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands

Preparing and presenting documents in a well-designed and attractive format with superior attention to detail.
Ability to lead teams effectively and exhibit strong conflict resolution skills.
Proven team and customer care skills with the ability to train and work cooperatively with a diverse staff, including field staff in several locations.
Demonstrates integrity by modeling Heifer’s and project partner values and ethical standards.
Openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Constant face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication with colleagues both within and outside of the project area.
May require constant sitting and moving, working at a computer for extended periods.
Working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.
Performing multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds (9 kilograms) floor-to-waist.
Willingness to work with a flexible schedule.
Willingness to travel both locally and internationally.