AKF Yetu Initiative Communications Officer Job in Nairobi, Kenya

Vacancy: Communications Officer, Yetu Initiative 
 

Location: Nairobi, Kenya
 

Category: Marketing & Communications
 

Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a private, non-denominational, development agency promoting creative solutions to problems that impede social development. AKF (East Africa) seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, literacy and health, with a special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in coastal and other resource-poor areas. 

AKF (EA) works in five sectors including Health, Education, Early Childhood Development, Rural Development and Civil Society enhancement. Over the last several years, AKF (EA)’s programmes have evolved and expanded in response to government policies, beneficiary demand and assessment of needs. 

In order to optimise AKF (EA)’s efficiency and effectiveness as a development actor in the region, it seeks to support and improve innovations that create viable solutions to community problems that impede development.
AKF(EA) is starting a 4-year project with USAID entitled the Yetu Initiative. 

Yetu means “Our” in Kiswahili and the Initiative will help Kenyans assert “These are our concerns and these are our solutions”. Yetu will strengthen CSOs in community philanthropy, which occurs when citizens mobilise their own resources to address their community’s needs (whether these are very local communities or even the global community of Kenyans).

Yetu will “build the capacity of Kenyan CSOs to engage and catalyze citizen support for their missions” through 3 objectives:

1. Build alliances between Kenyan businesses and CSOs;
2. Improve the capacity of Kenyan CSOs;
3. Improve the cultural and technological environment for community philanthropy.

AKF (EA) is seeking experienced personnel for the following three positions which will be based in Nairobi. 

These positions will report to Senior Management and form part of the core team.
 

Description

The Communications Officer will be responsible for all communications relating to Yetu. 

Specifically, the Communications Officer will:

• Develop a comprehensive communications strategy for Yetu and for all implementing partners and activities.
• Ensure compliance with donor communications requirements for all project publicity and communication activities
• Coordinate the effective communication of Yetu’s key messages and strategic direction to various Kenyan and global stakeholders, in partnership with AKF’s DC and Geneva offices
• Develop communications and marketing materials, including: advertisements, publications, presentations, videos, etc.
• Document results and best practices including compiling success stories, developing presentations and other communication materials for policy engagement and other purposes
• Publish articles to increase the visibility of Yetu projects and their results
• Update and maintain a photo bank and communications library
• Train and mentor communications officers within CSOs that Yetu works with to enable CSOs to improve their own communications and better tell their own story
• Work with the MERL officer to conduct focus groups, surveys, market research, etc.

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelors’ degree or equivalent in communications, journalism, international development or relevant field
• Minimum 5 years experience in producing a wide range of strategic communications materials (ideally in both the NGO fundraising and corporate contexts)
• Exceptional English communications skills with the ability to produce high quality reports, publications, advertisements, presentations, documentaries and other communications materials
• Experience in managing, leading, mentoring and training staff to enable CSOs to handle their own communications
• Proven ability to design high-quality marketing and communications strategies for organizations and specific campaigns.
• Experience overseeing communication activities on donor-funded international development projects
• Must be highly creative, artistic, and able to design communications and marketing materials that resonate with a broad audience
• Experience carrying out surveys, focus groups, market research and graphic design a plus

How to Apply

CLICK HERE to apply online

Applications close on Wed, 17th Dec 2014