Organization

• Colleges and Institutes Canada

Background

Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET is a 5-year program (2020-2025) implemented by CICan. The program is a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation, the private sector, the MOE, and other relevant Government of Kenya agencies to improve employment outcomes in the country. As a key strategic component of Young Africa Works, the Young Africa Works-Kenya: Youth Employability through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET) Program will strengthen the quality of TVET institutions and systems in Kenya. The program works through a partner-driven participatory approach focusing on supporting the development of 26 Centres of Excellence (COEs) as model institutions that will increase the participation of young Kenyans, particularly women, in market-relevant skills training programs to ultimately increase the number of youth in dignified and fulfilling work in the Big Four and digital sectors.

Job Summary

General Expectations

Reporting to and working closely with the Kenya-based Senior Technical Advisor/CICan Representative (STA), the Communication Specialist will be located in Nairobi, Kenya and will ensure the effective implementation of Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET activities in Kenya.

The Communication Specialist will oversee the program’s strategic communication planning and implementation of the program’s Communication Strategy and workplan including programmatic and organizational communications and branding as well as content creation. Duties will include writing and editing program external communication as well as communication/outreach campaigns to raise awareness of young, people, parents, and caregivers as well as industry about Technical and Vocation Education and Training (TV ET), Competency Based Education and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The Communication Specialist will also coordinate all communications activities with implementing partners and program staff, provide communication support to partner institutions, oversee the development of impact stories and program communications materials, and engagement with media. In addition, Communication Specialist will serve as the communications liaison with the Mastercard Foundation and the MOE and leverage other activities done by partners, in line with the National Communications and Advocacy Strategy.

The position is expected to involve some travel within Kenya.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of the Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET Communication Strategy and workplans;
• Implement communications strategy and keep staff strategic in their communications outputs;
• Work with technical staff to devise communications plans for program activities;
• Coordinate all communications activities with implementing partners and program staff;
• Manage the program external communication:
  • Identify new and innovative tools and communications channels;
  • Identify communications opportunities and threats and advising staff;
  • Developing deep understanding of target audiences.
  • Lead media relations for Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET program: develop and distribute press releases, editing and drafting articles and blogs, maintain a database of journalists and media coverage, answering journalists’ inquiries and ringing round/cold calling journalists.
  • Lead maintenance of social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+.
  • Managing events: taking photos, live streaming, shooting video, editing it, posting it to YouTube and digitally disseminating it.
  • Oversee the compilation of a regular e-newsletter, clearance and distribution.
• Oversee the communication, marketing and outreach strategy aimed at increasing awareness of TVET, of CBET courses and RPL services in collaboration with the program communication consultants;
• Collaborate with program staff on youth engagement activities as part of the program Communication Strategy;
• Organize events related to youth engagement and outreach: planning, building audiences, arranging venues and other logistics.
• Create and support the dissemination of impact stories and program communications materials;
• Write and edit with dignifying and person-first language to reach a broad audience with clear, concise and accessible language;
• Provide communication support to partner institutions in Kenya and Canada related to program activities;
• Provide input into program budget planning for communication activities;
• Support quarterly and annual program reporting: prepare communication activities report, review and edit the full program narrative reports;
• Monitor and evaluate communication activity impact, including news media monitoring.
• Review, assess and adapt the program’s communications activities using indicators established by the overall communications strategy;
• Ensure program’s adherence (CICan and partners) to the Mastercard Foundation communication and branding guidelines;
• Ensure that messages are consistent and aligned with CICan’s mission and values;
• Participate in program committees to represent communication themes;
• Support administrative functions including organizing and indexing materials on the CICan SharePoint site so that communications resources can be easily accessed;
• Manage staff, consultants and suppliers.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Reporting

The employee will work under the direction of the STA/CICan Representative of the CICan Kenya Office, in close collaboration with the Ottawa-based Manager of Operations. The employee is expected to work with a high degree of independence and autonomy.

Qualifications and Competencies

Essential:

• Full fluency in English and Swahili;
• Kenyan citizen or legally permitted to work in Kenya. Note: CICan will not provide a work permit or sponsor individuals;
• Master’s Degree in a related subject area (communications, public relations or similar);
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar role in Kenya in an international development project with an international organization;
• Demonstrated experience in producing high quality communications materials (e.g. impact stories, success stories, fact sheets, social media, website content, articles, press releases, speeches) in English;
• Exceptional written communication skills (writing, editing, proofing), including the ability to write for a range of audiences and formats based on complex, technical content e.g. press releases, blogs, articles, scripts and website content;
• Experience of media relations and networking with Kenyan media partners/journalists;
• Excellent verbal communication, including the ability to ‘sell in’ stories and ‘cold-call’ journalists;
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively on a team;
• Demonstrated experience working with an international team and development practitioners;
• Meticulous attention to detail and a high level of accuracy;
• Ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision to prioritise a busy workload
• Critical thinking, inquisitive and innovative mindset;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; the ability to deal with people at all levels, internally and externally, in a confident, assertive and professional manner;
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to organise and assist with events;
• Capable multi-tasking and understanding of logistical requirements;
• A deadline driven personality;
• A mission motivated personality;
• Excellent IT skills (Microsoft Office and CMS skills essential).

Highly desirable:

• Experience with creating and editing video content;
• Graphic design and desktop publishing skills (including Microsoft Publisher, the Adobe or Corel suites);
• Experience of creating and editing digital media and publishing it in a variety of outputs (Storify, Prezi, Slideshare, YouTube);
• Experience of using social media channels (such Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram) and extending their reach;
• Experience using project management skills;
• Experience of managing consultants, freelancers, agencies and other external service providers.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the education or TVET sector in Kenya;
• Ability to use a still & video camera and to edit video quickly and to a professional standard (using Adobe Premier Elements);
• Experience using a contact database;
• Experience of using website CMS;
• Experience working with technical experts.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV with three references as one PDF file not exceeding 8 pages to email address applications@ke.collegesinstitutes.ca with the title on the subject line, Communications Specialist.The deadline for receiving applications is 28th June 2023 at 5 p.m.

Phone calls or in-person visits will not be accepted. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.