Communications Officer Career Opportunity – NAYA Kenya

Position Title: Communications Officer

NAYA is looking for a dynamic and versatile Communications Officer to support and coordinate the communications and media functions of our various advocacy programmes.

Working under the Programme Manager, the Project Officer will oversee and support the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the She Leads project implementation in line with defined objectives and quality.

ABOUT NAYA KENYA

The Network for Adolescent and Youth of Africa (NAYA) is a Kenya-based, youth-led regional advocacy network founded in October 2001 by the African Regional Office of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA).

NAYA aims at enhancing the capacity of youth advocates, young people, and youth led organizations to undertake Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) advocacy at international, regional, national and county levels to improve the quality, affordability and accessibility of health including SRHR information and services.

NAYA advocates for reforms and implementation of policies and legislation to improve the quality, affordability and accessibility of Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AYSRHR) information and services. To achieve our objectives, NAYA regularly enlists the support of policy makers, opinion leaders, media, like-minded organizations and individuals. We are currently implementing advocacy programmes in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale, Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, Kajiado, and HomaBay counties.

ROLE, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Digital Communications

    • Lead programmes team in developing and delivering the NAYA’s Social Media Strategy.
    • Manage NAYA Kenya’s social media account, with the support and input of the programmes team.
    • Create interactive and engaging SRHR content that is tailored to a range of audiences.
    • Write compelling copy for the website and social media, complying with the different NAYA projects editorial standards.
    • Ensure the NAYA website is regularly updated and ensure consistency and quality control.
    • Lead multimedia productions including video, photography and design, supported by the in-house graphic designer.
    • Supervise and coordinate digital communications interns and youth advocates for various digital media campaigns.
    • Coordinate visibility and online campaigns of different NAYA programmes alongside other implementing partners.

2. Media Relations

    • Facilitate engagement with media for profiling of NAYA’s programmes through media pitches.
    • Monitor social media for any press / journalist requests NAYA might respond to.
    • Respond in a timely manner to queries from national and international media.
    • Package stories and information enabling us to pitch to print and online media.
    • Arrange interviews and / or connect journalists with spokespeople from across the NAYA team.
    • Manage NAYA’s media database.
    • Conduct media monitoring and produce regular reports as per different programme requirements.

3. Content Generation

    • Write, edit and distribute content, including publications, press releases, website content, op-eds, annual reports, speeches, newsletters and other materials that communicate NAYA’s activities.
    • Ensure that all published content is delivered to high standards, within budget and is in compliance with the agreed curation and programme guidelines.
    • Ensure the NAYA brand is understood and complied with by all staff in all external communications.

4. Training

    • Co-develop and conduct Communications training for program staff, youth advocates, media practitioners and partners whenever required. May occasionally provide guidance and coaching to implementing partners on media engagement.

Supportive Functions

    • Support the Head of Programmes with wider partner stakeholder management and engagement.
    • Support the development of new branded assets to meet the needs of various NAYA programmes. Liaise with designers and external suppliers to ensure assets are produced on time, in budget, and to the required standards.
    • Manage NAYA Kenya’s digital photo library, and ensure the correct details are included (proof of consent, photographer credit, etc.) when they are uploaded.
    • Monitor press coverage and social media metrics
    • Support the coordination of specific events and represent the organization externally when relevant.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

    • Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism or related field, or equivalent on-the-job experience in a communications role.
    • 3-5 years’ relevant experience in a communications role.
    • Strong writing and editing skills; excellent attention to detail; experience of writing for news and for the web.
    • Experience of social media and community management, and of adapting messages to different audiences.
    • Experience of website content management.
    • Experience coordinating teams for online and offline media campaigns.
    • Good time management and organizational skills.
    • Proficient in Microsoft Office, content management systems and social media platforms.
    • Experience in graphic design and audio-visual production is an added advantage.
    • The ideal candidate should be able to think creatively, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

HOW TO APPLY

Kindly send your application to jobs@nayakenya.org on or before 20th January 2023 with the e-mail reference as “REF: NAYA Communications Officer”. You are required to state your age and expected salary for the position.

NOTE: Due to the expected large number of responses, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.