Communications Specialist, International Development

Land O’Lakes International Development

Communications Specialist, International Development

Land O’Lakes International Development is a division of Land O’Lakes, Inc., a U.S. food and agricultural cooperative that implements humanitarian and economic development activities for donor agencies. 

Land O’Lakes is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the position of: Communications Specialist, International Development.

Description

This position will preferably be based in Nairobi, Kenya, but applications will also be considered from candidates based in Minneapolis/St. Paul or Washington, D.C. 

The Communications Specialist will independently write, edit, design and promote stories about Land O'Lakes International Development's work at organizational and project-specific levels. 

S/he will play a lead role in maintaining and updating the divisional website on a regular basis, helping to populate the Intranet with relevant and timely communications materials, and developing and executing upon Land O'Lakes' social media strategy. 

This individual will help with desktop publishing and graphic design of print and online materials, including fact sheets, brochures, e-newsletters and social media sites, and will also help develop USAID Branding Strategies and Marking Plans for new programs, as needed. 

S/he will also occasionally assist with coordinating external presentations and facilitating effective representation at public events, as well as with editing New Business Development proposals.

An estimated 40 percent of Nairobi-based Communications Specialist's time will be devoted to providing direct communications support to our Kenya Feed the Future Innovation Engine program, which will also include training staff on communications activities, and media relations. 

The remainder of this individual's time will be focused on supporting other field-based programs and providing general communications support to headquarters.

40% - Kenya Feed the Future Innovation Engine Project Support (print and online): Provide direct communications support to support KFIE, including writing and editing text for brochures, fact sheets, success stories and news items. Populate and maintain the KFIE project website, and work to ensure effective outreach among the program's various stakeholders. Support the writing and editing of project quarterly and final reports to USAID, raise awareness about the project and the innovations it funds through social media, and work to advance the thought leadership of Land O'Lakes' role in enterprise development and the incubation of agricultural innovations in Kenya.  Provide training to build the capacity of other KFIE staff in communications, and support media outreach as needed.

20% - Website Management, Graphic Design and Social Media: Ensure that the IDD external website and departmental portal are regularly updated with comprehensive information about global and project-specific efforts; desktop publish and design materials as needed; help develop multimedia content and regularly update social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

20% - Print Communications Support: Write and edit text for brochures, fact sheets, success stories and news items that help advance the division's technical expertise in agricultural and food systems development with core audiences. Support the integration of communications efforts into field-based programs throughout the project lifecycle, including assisting with conceptualizing and writing branding and marking plans, and providing direct communications assistance to projects as needed.

10% - New Business Development Support: Support the New Business Development team in an overflow capacity when needed, including assistance with editing, formatting, compiling and creating graphics for International Development proposals, and/or developing USAID Branding and Marking Plans

10% - Presentations and Events: On a periodic basis, provide assistance in supporting external events, including coordinating logistics and staffing company booth and developing relevant PowerPoint presentations.

Required (Basic) Experience & Education: 

• Bachelor's degree required
• Superior English writing and editing skills; ability to succinctly write and edit compelling copy on a tight deadline.
•  The ideal Specialist-level candidate will have at least five years of communications experience of increasing responsibility, including at least three years with an international development organization;
• At least one year of website management experience; comfort with social media tools and new media technology; experience with graphic/production design and/or desktop publishing. 
• Strong understanding of international development issues required; 
• Excellent computer skills, including MS Word, PowerPoint, Photoshop and desktop publishing software (e.g. InDesign). 
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally to remote locations.

Required Competencies & Other Skills: 

Stress Tolerance: Maintaining stable performance under pressure or opposition (such as time pressure, or job ambiguity); handling stress in a manner that is acceptable to others and to the organization. 

Contributing to Team Success: Actively participating as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals. 

Innovation: Generating innovative solutions in work situations; trying different and novel ways to deal with work problems and opportunities. 

Planning & Organizing: Establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently. 

Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others' assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence rather than having high standards imposed. 

Time Management: Effectively managing one's time and resources to organize and prioritize workload activities and deliver on-time results.

Preferred Experience & Education: 

• Master's degree preferred
• Understanding of agricultural development/value chains preferred.

Percentage of Travel: 15% regional/international

To apply:

Send resume and cover letter to recruit.nairobi@idd.landolakes.com