Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.
Heifer International is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with a mission to work with communities to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. We collaborate with farmers and their communities to identify opportunities that deliver living incomes, creating solutions to local challenges that build inclusive, resilient economies. Through increased productivity of livestock and crops, farmers provide for their families and improve the health of their communities.
Heifer International, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation (MCF), is implementing the SAYE project in 11 districts (Jinja, Mayuge, Iganga, Kamuli, Kaliro, Namutumba, Bugweri, Luuka, Buyende, Namayingo, and Bugiri) in the Busoga sub-region. The project is implemented by Heifer in a consortium with four partners: Enhancing University Responsiveness to Agribusiness Development Ltd (CURAD), Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises (FSME), Financial Sector Deepening Uganda (FSDU), and ASIGMA Group. The project focuses on addressing market system barriers for youth transition to work while building and strengthening systems and structures as enablers for youth to secure dignified and fulfilling work. The intervention aims to reach 250,000 young people aged 16-35 years (70% female and 30% male), including 3% of youth with disabilities. Out of the total reached, 175,000 youth will transition into dignified and fulfilling work within agribusiness enterprises in priority value chains of poultry, horticulture, oilseeds, dairy, and beef. The project goal is to improve the socio-economic well-being and resilience of young people in the Busoga sub-region by 2029.
The SAYE project aims to stimulate economic development through agribusiness, providing youth with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to start and sustain agribusiness ventures. Many young people look to the project to elevate their agribusinesses and livelihoods.
Function
The Communications Officer will be responsible for strategic media, project partner and participant engagement, and project visibility. This position will manage the sharing of project lessons and impact with multiple stakeholders by documenting and disseminating various communication materials. The Communications Officer will report to the Communications Manager and work in liaison with the Project team with support from the Project Director.
Responsibilities & Deliverables
A. Communication Planning, Product Development, and Partnership (30%)
- Implement the project communication strategy, deliver high-quality writing and communications support, develop materials, produce website and social media content, and create collaterals following SAYE project brand guidelines.
- Collect and share project information, including success stories, information sheets, and best practices with media and other stakeholders.
- Develop and nurture partnerships with stakeholders within the project area to advance the mission of Heifer, its partners, and the project.
- Serve as the SAYE communications focal point, developing and maintaining positive and proactive relationships to support the work of HPI and its partners.
B. Mass Media Campaign on SAYE Project Targeting Young Women and Women in Agribusiness (30%)
- Develop an overall mass media campaign and outreach strategy for the five-year project duration.
- Generate an annual plan of key project media activities, events, and materials.
- Maintain media links; organize events, press conferences, and other engagements with the media.
- Create and maintain a database of media contacts qualified to cover project work.
C. Communication Resources Development and Dissemination (10%)
- Design, write, edit, produce, and distribute various communication products (e.g., quarterly newsletters, brochures, web messages) about SAYE, Heifer, and consortium partners.
- Identify, manage, and maintain a database of community storytellers, establishing a channel for impactful stories.
- Regularly review, update, and manage all IEC materials and tools.
D. Project Support (10%)
- Facilitate communication capacity-building for program staff on parameters like success story writing, photography, and effective use of communication channels.
- Document and communicate project activities, including stakeholder workshops, project management committee meetings, steering committee meetings, launch activities, key monitoring and evaluation events, and project visits.
- Edit formal communication documents from HPI Uganda, such as donor reports, newsletters, and funding proposals.
E. Social Media and Digital Communication (20%)
- Lead the ideation, design, and production of the project’s digital content for storytelling on the organization’s social media channels.
- Collaborate with other Communications team members to contribute to and fully implement the digital editorial plan.
- Monitor trending topics to seize positioning opportunities for project interventions and impact.
- Regularly track, analyze, and report on online metrics, providing insights and acting on the information to improve performance, impact, and reach.
F. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelors in public relations, mass communications, development studies, or related field, Proven knowledge and experience in the field communications of agricultural development.
- Five (5) years of work experience, including three (3) years of experience in communications, campaigns or media related work areas. Relevant experience in community or field-based projects will be an added advantage.
Key Behavioural Competencies
- Accountability
- Professional Excellence
- Humility
- Customer Orientation
- Empathy
- Innovation
