Communications Officer At Action Against Hunger USA

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 24 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit organization that works across 50 countries, our 8,300 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $100 million in programs, and approximately 1,800 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.

The organization recognizes gender equality as central to its core strategy towards realization of effective and sustainable outcomes on nutrition, WASH and surveillance interventions. Action Against Hunger in Tanzania is currently implementing activities in Dodoma and Singida regions

• Summary of Position

The Communication Officer plays a pivotal role in enhancing Action Against Hunger’s visibility and impact through strategic communication initiatives. Responsible for developing and managing compelling content, in collaboration with the regional and HQ communication teams the Communication Officer will support in maintaining the organization’s website and social media platforms, ensuring consistent messaging aligned with organizational goals. He will support in the management of the media relations and cultivate relationships with journalists to secure coverage and amplify Action Against Hunger’s presence. Additionally, the Communication Officer supports internal communications by producing internal and external engagement materials and contributes to advocacy efforts to promote policy change and raise awareness about humanitarian, peace and developmental issues.

• Purpose

The Communication Officer will play a critical role in gathering communication information and overseeing the preparation, assistance, or supervision of communication outputs such as documentaries, factsheets, photographs, case studies, social media, and field situation reports. These outputs will serve external documentation needs for reports to donors, partners, and stakeholders. The role involves close collaboration with external and internal consultants, technical teams, and project teams to ensure high-quality and effective messaging for each deliverable. Additionally, the post-holder will facilitate media trips for internal and external communication teams, donors among others and contribute to producing comprehensive reports to document project progress.

• Engagement:

The Communication Officer at Action Against Hunger Tanzania actively engages in internal and external representation to ensure clear communication of the organization’s mission and impact to stakeholders. She/he will work with the Advocacy, Communication and Partnership team to design, plan and execute communication activities within Action Against Hunger Tanzania. The holder will also collaborate with program teams and other technical coordinators to develop integrated communication strategies that align with organizational goals. The Communication Officer will support program communication approach definition and implementation and ensure effective communication planning and implementation.

• Delivery:

The Communication Officer at Action Against Hunger Tanzania plays a vital role in enhancing organizational visibility through strategic communications. The holder will ensure development of the compelling content, manage digital platforms, and maintain media relations to amplify the impact Action Against Hunger programs in Tanzania. Internally, the officer produces newsletters to engage staff and supports advocacy efforts with targeted communication materials. In consultation with the Advocacy, Communication and Partnership team She/he will oversee the communication budget, monitor media engagement, and provide insights to refine strategies. Overall, his efforts will contribute to promoting Action Against Hunger’s mission, brand and content for internal and external use.

Key Responsibilities:

Content Development and Management:

• Develop high-quality content including documentaries, factsheets, photos, stories, articles, press releases, social media, and reports that highlight the impact of our programs and align with organizational goals.
• In collaboration with the communication team at regional and HQ maintain and update the organization’s website and social media platforms with engaging content that attracts and retains supporters.
• Write, edit, and distribute various types of content, ensuring consistent messaging across all communication channels.
• Ensure all materials produced adhere to Action Against Hunger’s in-house brand and style.

Media and Public Relations:

• Maintain a database of media organizations and contacts within them, ensuring effective outreach and relationship management.
• Manage the organization’s social media communications, including strategy development, content creation, and community engagement.
• Working with the technical team in preparing representations for media interviews, public events, and other forums to amplify Action Against Hunger’s visibility.

Internal Communications:

• Support in creating and producing internal engagement materials for the organization, keeping staff informed and engaged with organizational updates and achievements.

Advocacy and External Communications:

• Develop and maintain working relationships with journalists in multiple types of media outlets to promote positive coverage and maintain media partnerships.
• Support advocacy efforts by developing communication materials that promote policy change and raise awareness reflecting the triple nexus of programing i.e. humanitarian, peace and development.

Budget and Reporting:

• Support in ensuring inclusion of communication needs in new project proposals, activity budget preparation and expenditure of the organization’s communication budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to achieve communication goals.
• Monitor media coverage and public perception of Action Against Hunger, providing regular reports and analysis to inform communication improvement initiatives and strategies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism or a related field.
• At least 3-5 years of professional experience in communications, preferably with a humanitarian organization or NGO.
• Proven ability to develop and execute communication initiatives/strategies with a strong understanding of digital and traditional media platforms.
• Proficiency in graphic design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), Canva and/or equivalent. Proficiency in video editing software is an added advantage.
• Experience in professional photography and or videography.
• Experience in social media management and analytics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with a keen attention to detail
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to lead projects and initiatives independently.
• Decision-making and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex situations effectively.
• Good networking skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision and have impact on input on program indicators

Key Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and planning
• Creativity and storytelling
• Media relations skills
• Stakeholder engagement and networking
• Budget management and financial skills
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Adaptability and resilience

1. Fiscal Responsibility

Communication resources

1. Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.

Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.