Online Communications Specialist/Web Designer

The Online Communications Specialist/Web Designer is responsible for the written and visual communication aspects a new website for SUA. He or she will work with a project team coordinated by a member of SUA Computer Centre staff. Our ultimate goal is to build the capacity of the SUA Computer Centre and other SUA staff to create and manage the website. The person in this position will be expected to contribute towards this goal.

The Online Communications Specialist will manage the creation of content, design the user interface, edit content and ensure a positive customer experience. This includes overall navigation flow, layout of specific pages, and the knowledge and use of applications in the chosen Content Management System (CMS) to create dynamic pages.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Training, organizing, and supporting SUA staff as they create and edit web content;
• Collecting and preparing content for the website;
• Ensuring content on the SUA website communicates clearly, effectively, and consistently;
• Designing a maintenance mechanism for all pages on the SUA web site;
• Providing technical and user training and manuals to SUA staff;
• Ensuring that all design elements, templates and finished solutions work within a variety of browser types and screen settings;
• Working with the Computer Centre staff/website redesign committee on style and approach for the project;
• Providing design elements, comps, templates, and finished solutions;
• Testing new content before move to production;
• Creating and maintaining metadata and other inputs in the system to optimize search engine results;
• Performing image manipulation tasks such as creating thumbnails, image resize, file format conversion and simple image edits;
• Creating and maintaining multimedia, including photo galleries, slideshows, and videos embedded in Web pages;
• Improving the website information architecture to provide easier navigation and accessibility of the site to stakeholders;
• Participating in efforts to improve quality of SUA web pages as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Online communications specialist;
• Creative, dynamic and forward thinking individual;
• Innovative - able to identify new opportunities and make them happen;
• Managing websites, including management of design and developer staff;
• Cross-cultural interaction across language barriers;
• Team player who can work independently;
• Demonstrate ability to prioritize, multi-task, and work with minimal supervision in a team environment;
• Strong organization skills with emphasis on being conscientious and detail-oriented;
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with image editing, desktop publishing, word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software;
• Conversant in web basics;
• Knowledge of multimedia/creative: e.g., interactive/web content, digital graphics/optimization.

Required Qualifications/Experience

• Associates degree/diploma in Communications, Information Technology, or related field and/or a satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates ability to perform the duties above. Bachelors preferred;
• Minimum 3 years as a web content/social media manager, preferably in a university setting or similar environment, with content development and maintenance responsibilities;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Experience editing various types of web content ranging from general text content to specialized digital content;
• Graphics experience with image editing and desktop publishing software required;
• Experience in coaching, training and mentoring staff;
• Working knowledge of software such as operating systems, desktop publishing, word processing, and presentation software, as well as experience with social networking websites;
• Experience with WordPress, Drupal, Joomla or other open source CMS, including template development and customization;
• Experience with content management systems, web analytics, HTML, PhP, and CSS;
• English language fluency required, Kiswahili language skills a plus;
• Background and experience in the East Africa region preferred.

How to apply

To apply for this opportunity, please send a cover letter, CV or résumé, three samples/links to your previous web design/content development work and salary history to alvis@iagri.org by January 22, 2015.

Applications submitted without samples will not be considered.

East African nationals are strongly encouraged to apply