Executive Assistant and Communications Officer

Our client, Uraia Trust, was first established as a programme (the Kenya’s National Civic Education Programme, popularly known as Uraia) through a partnership of a group of development partners and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Kenya.

The programme aimed at consolidating a mature political culture in which citizens are more aware of, and fully exercise their rights and responsibilities, as well as participate effectively in broadening democracy.

Initially, the key focus of Uraia was more on facilitating the engagement of a number of civil society actors to push for reform across a range of key issues such as the constitutional review, boundaries review and electoral reform among others.

This has since changed to focus on civic engagement to accompany civic education to enable a more holistic and integrated approach in achieving Uraia’s goals and objectives.

In this regard, Uraia transitioned from its current state to a new entity, Uraia Trust in line with its Strategic Plan (2011-2015). It is in light of this that Uraia seeks to recruit high calibre, results oriented and self driven professionals with integrity to take up the following position:

Ref. No. EACO/11

Job title: Executive Assistant and Communications Officer

Supervisor/Manager title: Executive Director

Department: Programmes /Executive Director’s Office

Location: Nairobi

Job summary

The jobholder is responsible for ensuring creative and appropriate communication services for the effective and efficient execution of civic education and engagement activities.

A key part of this role is developing and effectively executing a multi-media strategy to underpin Uraia’s programme activities.

S/he will also serve as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director and offer administrative support to the senior managers.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement the multi-media strategy and ensure its effective implementation based on current events and upcoming opportunities, in line with Uraia’s programme objectives.
• Lead the day-to-day management of the Uraia media programme, including providing regular work plans, progress reports, and ensuring regular communications with all programme partners.
• Advice on content development of key messages and topics to be discussed through mainstream and specialised media outlets, oversee production and placement of specially recorded Info commercials and obtain approval as is necessary.
• Advice on branding and visibility in relation to media opportunities (use of logo, key messages, ownership of the programme etc.).
• Ensure that media press cuttings and appearances are recorded and kept on file; obtain recordings of specific programmes from radio and TV stations for distribution and use in programme activities around the country, with a view to establishing the Trust Multi-media Resource Centre.
• Participate in any editorial committees set up to develop special Uraia-branded TV or radio based programmes and identify guest speakers/spokespersons from the civil society that could appear in identified media slots.
• Ensure greater awareness of quality civic education and engagement practices and accessibility of educational and informative materials.
• Liaise with media monitoring services and interpret findings in light of the Uraia media strategy and Uraia Resource File contents whenever necessary.
• Support and train consortia and CSOs on how to appear on the media through tailored media training.
• Coordinate all Trust related programme communication including the outsourcing of these services.
• Ensure regular contact and maintain relationships with media houses to ensure adequate coverage of programme related activities.
• Provide information to upload on a regular basis on the Uraia Trust website.
• In liaison with the Procurement Officer, develop terms of reference and tender documents for specific service delivery components, e.g. branding materials.
• Develop and monitor the communication budget in liaison with the finance unit.
• Provide administrative support to the Head of Programmes and Head of Support Services.
• Manage the Executive Director’s (ED) diary and prioritize issues requiring his/her attention.
• Handle all communications to and from the Executive Director’s office.

Focus areas of responsibility - % of time spent

• Communications and public relations management - 70%
• Stakeholders liaison - 20%
• Administrative duties - 10%

Academic and professional qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in Communications, Public Relations, Media Relations or Sociology.

Experience

• At least 4 years experience in communications, public relations or media relations.
• Experience in providing secretarial/administrative support to a senior level role is an added advantage.

Additional skills

• Planning and coordination skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem solving skills
• Excellent presentation, oral and written communication skills
• Quality orientation abilities
• Computer Proficiency particularly in MS Office Suite

Core technical skills required for the role

• Public relations and communications
• Administration/office management skills

The offer

These are challenging and exciting roles that provide the qualifying candidates the opportunity to make a marked difference in the realisation of Uraia Trust’s goals and objectives.

If your career aspirations match these exciting opportunities, please write in confidence quoting the position title and reference number on the subject of the e-mail or cover letter on or before 1 July 2011.

Enclose your curriculum vitae containing a working e-mail address, daytime telephone contacts, qualifications, experience, present position, current remuneration, names and addresses of three referees should be sent to the address below or e-mailed to uraiatrust@kpmg.co.ke.

Executive Selection Division,
KPMG Kenya,
Lonrho House, 16th Floor, Standard Street,
P O Box 40612-00100,
Nairobi.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.