Justice Defenders calls for suitably qualified applicants to fill the following Communication Officer position.

The Communications Officer will be responsible for promoting Justice Defenders’ work, to inform and motivate current and potential supporters, donors, and partners. 

A key part of this role will be sourcing and gathering appropriate stories from the prisons where we work, ensuring they demonstrate the impact against key communications objectives. We are fortunate to work with people from a huge variety of backgrounds so there is an abundance of stories we could gather. The key to the success of this role is having a thorough understanding of what makes a great story, being able to quickly identify those with potential, and advocate reasoning for which to explore further.

 

The role holder will be a creative individual who is able to create engaging communications products (written stories, audio recordings, and potentially social media assets), produce plans to promote content for audiences within Kenya, and distribute raw and final content to relevant internal stakeholders, both within Kenya and in the UK.

They will use initiative to identify new ways to further the reach of Justice Defenders’ work, whether that be growing our social media following, producing new resources for in-country partners, or telling peoples’ stories in exciting new ways.

They will be confident in writing engaging posts for social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn) and meticulous in organizing all raw content associated with stories (audio recordings, transcripts, notes, photographs with metadata, video, consent forms) into folders which are easily accessible for colleagues.

Roughly 70 percent of the role (3.5 days) will be focused on supporting and implementing the global communications strategy which supports our fundraising, therefore the role will work closely with the Communications and Content Lead based in the UK. The remaining 30 percent of the role (1.5 days) will focus on building awareness and fostering donor relationships within Kenya.

• Working closely with the Communications and Content Lead based in the global communications team in the UK to brainstorm and identify the best stories to meet monthly focus themes.
• Preparing stories for the global communications team by recording interview transcripts, writing stories, ensuring consent forms are completed and captions and descriptions are included in the metadata of photographs.
• Preparing briefs and shot lists for photographers and videographers and managing them to deliver as required.
• Consistently working to improve communications processes, developing and maintaining a photo and video library.
• Disseminating stories from the field projects to partners through various formats and media.
• Drafting or soliciting articles, editing and publishing Justice Defenders’ monthly newsletters.
• Disseminating newsworthy articles on the organisation to global partners and supporters worldwide.
• On occasion leading the identification of media avenues, negotiating of rates and coordinating media coverage of special events.
• Maintaining the organisations’ mailing databases.
• Marketing of events and producing appropriate event communications materials such as brochures, fliers, display boards, banners.
• Drafting regular updates for the global social media channels and website to promote events, achievements and stories collected locally.
• Listening to conversations on social media to identify opportunities to engage and build our community.
• Editorial review of internal reports.
  

Communication Experience

• At least 3 years’ professional experience in public relations, media relations, and communications including knowledge and competence in digital communications writing for social media and websites, within a busy organization.     
• Management of a social media account.Management of a social media account.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical colleagues, and have excellent report writing skills.
• Willingness to travel to programme sites across Kenya, interact effectively with local communities, conduct interviews with programme participants, and document the activities.
• Experience sourcing, booking, and working with freelance photographers or videographers.
• A commitment to recording peoples’ stories accurately, ethically, and with sensitivity.

Organization and communication skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and good time and personal management skills
• Good communication skills and a strong command of English and Swahili languages.
• A strong team player and demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team setting.
• Experience working remotely with teams based internationally would be an advantage.
• Confident in providing advice including the development of relevant messages and use of the optimum media channels for effective communication.
• Experience in training and guiding a team on communication strategies.
• Experience in advertising and promoting events.
• Computer literacy in the use of MS Office Suite – Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with practical experience in the use of electronic communications including email, internet, etc
• Computer literacy in the use of MS Office Suite – Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with practical experience in the use of electronic communications including email, internet, etc
• Computer literacy in the use of MS Office Suite – Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with practical experience in the use of electronic communications including email, internet, etc Computer literacy in the use of MS Office Suite – Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with practical experience in the use of electronic communications including email, internet, etc
• Results-oriented and committed to measuring the impact of communications against objectives.
• Skills in minute taking, presentations, and administrative support to senior executives.

Applications with comprehensive CVs, copies of certificates, and/or testimonials together with the applicant’s telephone contact, names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three referees should be sent to; [email protected] not later than February 26th, 2021.

Justice Defenders accepts no liability for incomplete submission, late or misdirected transmission of applications

• Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews
• Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

  Justice Defenders is an equal opportunity employer.