Communications Officer

Job Title:               Communications Officer

Salary Grade:      5

Department:       Communications

Reports to:           Communications Manager

Supervises:          Interns, Learning and Communications Assistant (partially)

Overall Responsibility:

You will be responsible for supporting the effective communication of Twaweza (including Uwazi) across different mediums, as well as through the design, writing, production and distribution of communication materials. You will also support the Communications Unit to learn about effective communication that can spark social change. You will serve as the first point of information contact for Twaweza, and respond in a manner that is clear, timely, and effective, and that projects a positive image of the organization.

Specific Responsibilities

 

Website and Social Media

1.       Learn, develop, coordinate and maintain an effective social media presence for Twaweza in Kiswahili and English, including through blogs, facebook, twitter and other means as appropriate;

2.       Support colleagues in ensuring Twaweza websites in Kiswahili and English are up to date, functional, compelling and accurate, liaise with website developers and technical support as needed.

Content Production

1.       Write and produce high quality communication materials, including website content, and effectively communicate these across key audiences in Kiswahili and English;

2.       Edit materials (papers, briefs, power point presentations, etc) in Kiswahili and English and undertake full quality assurance to ensure that they conform to Twaweza standards and will promote the image and objectives of the organization;

3.       Create popular material for Twaweza and our partners; strong knowledge of and experience in creating broadcast content is preferred;

4.       Liaise and work with external suppliers and partners including, but not limited to designers, printers and production companies;

Supporting Other Units and Partners

1.       Support the regional programs unit to extend the reach of partnerships and content;

2.       Develop and maintain good links with the media; support press conferences and other engagements with the media including regular briefs and establishing print media partnerships;

3.       Support research and establishment of the positive deviants program

4.       Organise events as required, including publication launch events;

5.       Support Communications Manager to work with partners to document and publish their work and lessons;

Inspiring Active Citizenship

1.       Learn and research around behavior and social change communication;

2.       Liaise closely with regional programs units, particularly through media partnerships in Tanzania to explore opportunities to communicate Twaweza’s core messages and to spark behavior and social change;

3.       Explore innovative media and civil society collaborations that inform citizens, prompt debate on key service delivery issues and inspire collective and individual actions on these issues;

General Communication

1.       Communicate clearly and in a timely fashion with external audiences, face‐to‐face, through email and telephone; conferences where appropriate, and other forms;

2.       Establish mechanisms to ensure creative, dynamic and regular internal communications;

3.       Support management in communication, advocacy and representation needs as required;

General Responsibilities

1.       Conduct occasional research and writing assignments on Twaweza key areas for use in diverse ways supportive to program goals, including internal learning, policy debates, opinion articles;

2.       Undertake the activities above in line with the associated budgets and with work plans, in ways that are consistent with Twaweza policies;

3.       Contribute to the preparation of quality and timely plans, budgets and reports;

4.       Keep abreast of new ideas and materials in the area of organizational learning, M&E and communications;

5.       Participate in meetings and sessions and sessions as needed;

6.       Undertake any other lawful tasks as may be assigned by your manager or the Head of Twaweza.

Education, skills and experience

· Experience in development and/or communications work ;

· A university degree in a relevant field;

· At least two to three years’ relevant working experience, specifically in communications ;

· Excellent writing and communication skills in Kiswahili and English; an eye for detail;

· Strong analytical and organizational skills;

· Computer proficiency including web‐based applications;

· Flair for working with visual materials; a powerful creative eye; design skills are desirable;

· Keen understanding of traditional media, social media and uses of new technologies for communication in East African context;

· Ability to be on top of issues and deliver quality on time.

Changes and Amendments:

This job description may be amended by Twaweza after consultation with the employee and the supervisor.

Application process:

To apply for this position, please submit your CV (max 4 pages) to jobs@twaweza.org, including a cover letter explaining your interests/motivations to work for Twaweza, and 2 samples of your written work and names of 3 referees, in MS Word or PDF file. In the subject of your email write your name and the position you are applying for.