Senior Communications Officer At Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund

Division: Strategy & Partnerships

Reports to: Communications Manager

Start Date: March 2022

The AECF is a leading development finance organization that supports businesses to innovate, create jobs, and leverage investments to build resilience and sustainable incomes for rural and marginalized communities in Africa.

The AECF aims to bridge the investment gap between early-stage enterprise and business maturity for entrepreneurs serving the poorest communities. We provide patient capital to new and innovative business models in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors across Sub-Saharan Africa through various financing instruments. We also offer advisory services, investment support, and knowledge and insights to supplement finance.

The AECF has successfully implemented programmes across 26 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting over 375 enterprises, raising over US$422 million in funding for programmes, that have created 25,000 jobs and impacted 28 million lives.

The AECF is headquartered in Kenya, with offices in Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania.

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Communications Officer is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of AECF’s communications strategies and plans, develops internal and external communications products, disseminates insights and knowledge pieces while creating and managing content for AECF’s digital platforms. The position holder will lead efforts in developing clear and powerful messages, utilizing multiple channels tailored to target audiences at country, regional, and global levels. Working closely with key staff in the Strategy and Partnerships unit aggregating, packaging, and tailoring information gathered through AECF’s grant-making activities, raising the visibility of the organization while supporting and amplifying its program work.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop the communications strategies for external and internal communication.
• Lead the implementation, execution, and monitoring of internal communications strategies.
• Lead the development and implementation of communications plans in support of program objectives in line with the overall communications strategy.
• Working closely with the Impact Evaluation and Learning unit, package and disseminate thought-leadership and knowledge products to internal and external audiences through multiple channels including the AECF website, social media, newsletters, and mailing lists, and through mass media.

· Develop communication materials such as blogs, press releases, op-eds, talking points, speeches, videos, and web materials in line with AECF’s overall communications strategy’s messaging, identified audiences, and channels.

• Assist the Communications Manager in developing and executing a media liaison strategy.
• Maintains a repository of videos and photos for use by AECF in its marketing and communication activities.
• Lead the development and execution of a digital strategy to ensure engagement with online audiences (website and social media).
• Responsible for coordinating communications activities and events ranging from launches, press conferences to large seminars and town hall meetings, involving external and/or internal audiences.
• Support in the production of AECF corporate publications such as annual reports, banners, brochures.
• Work with contracted/outsourced agencies and experts to deliver quality outputs in line with agreed budgets, the scope of work, and work plans.
• Advises the organization on trends, news developments, or changing circumstances that may impact the AECF and its work.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

· A bachelor’s degree in communications, business, international relations, information management, media relations, journalism, development studies, or related field (post-graduate qualification will be an added advantage).

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

· Any additional professional qualification/s in communications, marketing, and public relations.**

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

· Minimum of six (6) years of working experience in development or corporate communication.

· Experience managing external vendors (consultants or agencies) in branding, communications, or public relations.

· Proven success in developing and implementing integrated communications strategies.

· Demonstrated success in delivering high-quality communications, products, or tools targeting a diverse range of audiences.

· Exceptional writing, grammar, and editing skills

· A proven ability to distill large amounts of information for diverse audiences; skills in other languages would be an advantage

· Experience in creating web content and managing social media pages on various platforms.

· Experience repackaging and disseminating knowledge and thought-leadership products.

· Exceptional planning and organizational skills, with an ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple demands and competing priorities, while maintaining high-quality standards.

· Proficiency in building strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

· Possess a high degree of initiative and energy, “can-do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail.

· Innovative thinker, enjoys developing and testing new ideas and ways of addressing issues or driving engagement

· Significant ability to work in a fast-paced environment and to adapt work plans flexibly depending on external opportunities.