The World University Service of Canada’s Field Support Services Project (FSSP) is contracting the services of a Communication Specialist to support Global Affairs Canada (GAC) in Kenya in the delivery of all its programming areas over a 2-year period.
OBJECTIVE
The main objective of Communication Specialist position is to provide technical assistance to Canada’s development programming in Kenya and other countries of accreditation in order to improve its visibility on social media and other platforms. The Communications Specialist will work part-time to assist with the development of communication products and publications focused on GAC’s country development strategy as well as lead the production of high quality, brand-compliant, multimedia information products and visual assets.
MANDATE
Under the general supervision of the FSSP Kenya Manager, the Communications Specialist will be responsible for all requests coming fromGAC, including visibility on social media, managing the Facebook page and working with the Technical Specialists on a monthly newsletter/digital brief for use by GAC. In addition, the Specialist will provide advice, analysis of the promotional context and advice to support GAC’s programming visibility in Kenya. The Specialist will, upon request from GAC or the FSSP Manager, participate in meetings organised on various topical themes to appropriately raise the visibility of Canada’s programs and projects in Kenya. In particular, the Specialist will work closely with GAC’s partners to achieve effective visibility and recognition of Canada’s international assistance contributions.
SPECIFIC TASKS
Social Media and Media Monitoring
The Communications Specialist will be responsible for managing Canadian projects’ presence in social media and for the creation of content necessary to grow GAC’s engagement within the media sector. The Specialist will also focus on content creation, basic online graphics and development of products and messages for public access and online platforms including GAC website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other similar social media platforms.
Author brief social media messages with corresponding links and source appropriate images for the postings on GAC’s programme and projects implemented by GAC’s partners.
Schedule and post social media content as per the content calendar and obtain GAC’s approvals for content prior to publishing.
Produce social media toolkits and contribute to the management of several accounts such as the Canadian Education Partners Forum (Facebook and twitter) accounts.
Provide analytics, identify trends and develop creative inputs.
Review daily press and produce media monitoring reports.
Event Coverage
Work closely with the GAC/FSSP TAs to provide communication and media support to events/workshops/meetings and conferences.
Prepare website stories.
Engage in media calls and prepare press kits.
Take, edit and post photos.
Update media contact lists.
Prepare event specific media monitoring reports.
Gathering Content from the Field
Work with GAC/FSSP TAs and partners to undertakes field visits and to write impact stories/success stories/case studies.
Support and coordinate photography and videography activities for field activities
Gather stories from implementing partners via field visits at the discretion of the GAC Head of Cooperation.
Produce stories from the field projects that reflect GAC’s reach and impact with a human-development interest focus.
Prepare content for use in other publications including annual reports, e-newsletters and brochures and videos.
Strategic Planning
Design and implement an effective and innovative communications strategy to further enhance GAC’s profile in Kenya and other countries of accreditation;
Provide regular input into GAC’s country strategy and investment plan activities;
Review and assesses GAC’s communications activities using indicators established by the overall communications strategy;
Highlight successes, challenges and recommendations;
Synthesize journalist participation and press coverage;
Pitch potential stories or identify gaps in content based on field work and research.
Support coordination of regular briefings with GAC staff.
Build and maintain a photo library of all photos and videos of the GAC, a database with photos and videos taken during events, which can be easily found by date, events, names of participants or other functional types of classification;
Participate in various meetings with sectoral teams to help ensure the strategic positioning and visibility of GAC in Kenya and countries of accreditation;
Develop and maintain a network of strategic contacts to support communication activities in Canada’s programming area in the country.
LEVEL OF EFFORT
This assignment is a part-time position from 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2020. A 50% level of effort (approximately ten days per month) will be required. The estimated distribution of the 50% level of effort will be as follows:
Visibility of Canadian programming in Kenya and Countries of accreditation: 85%
Other tasks for GAC and FSSP: 15%
The Communication Specialist will operate form Field Support Services Office in Nairobi during the period of the assignment.
WORKPLAN AND DELIVERABLES
The Communication Specialist will produce quarterly work plans, which will detail the deliverables expected for that period. The work plan will be based on needs identified by Global Affairs Canada and the Specialist’s recommended priorities which will require approval by Global Affairs Canada. The work plan must be submitted to the GAC Head of Cooperation in Kenya or an officer with a delegated authority from the Head of Cooperation. The work plan will be reviewed and updated monthly, taking into account changing priorities in the Global Affairs Canada Program and/or the countries’ context.
REPORTING
The Specialist reports directly to the Manager of the Field Support Services Project based in Nairobi, Kenya who has responsibility for the administration of the contract. Day to day management of deliverables and performance will be coordinated by the GAC Head of Cooperation in Kenya or an officer with a delegated responsibility, including approval of work plans, service requisitions and deliverables, authorization of travel, evaluation of the quality of services and deliverables against work plans and performance indicators, etc.
The Communication Specialist will be expected to keep the respective Development Officers at the Canadian High Commission in Nairobi and GAC HQs informed and updated about the implementation and progress of his/her work. The Specialist will submit monthly reports on her/his activities related to communication, consistent with the priorities established in the work plan.
The monthly report (max 2 pages) will:
Highlight tasks and results achieved; problems encountered and how they were dealt with;
Outline innovative initiatives, work plan/activities/expected results for the following month.
Highlight relevant information of use to the Program and projects, such as: outstanding issues and constraints, innovative initiatives, best practices, and lessons learned;
Identify new opportunities, and make recommendations for the next work plan period; and
Identify key issues for Global Affairs Canada’s attention, and make recommendations for follow-up;
QUALIFICATIONS AND MANDATORY EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s Degree in journalism, communications or a relevant related field of study from a recognized university. A master’s degree will be an added advantage.
3-5 years of related public relations, public outreach or communications for development experience;
Demonstrated experience in drafting, producing and editing written products such as news/blog articles, reports, fact sheets, speeches, success stories, and press releases
Expertise in using social media and other media platforms including drafting and sharing messages on Twitter, Facebook, etc.
English language skills to perform communications technical services;
Ability to travel as needed throughout Kenya and other countries of accreditation;
Knowledge of GAC policies and procedures is a plus;
Have an excellent ability to archive information such as for the photo library;
Have good judgment and ability to give relevant opinions and recommendations;
Mastery of ICT tools and basic computer software such as Microsoft Office, email and other social media tools.
COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND BEHAVOURS
Ability to synthesize and develop high quality knowledge products from diverse programmatic materials and tools;
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to develop strong working and organizational boundaries with internal and external stakeholders;
Works well independently with little supervision, as well as within a dynamic team;
Superior English communication proficiency and writing skills; proficiency in French is an asset;
A good team player.
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