Key Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of IWMI’s global communications strategy in East Africa, in close coordination with IWMI’s Communications & Knowledge Management team in HQ;
• Participate in weekly meetings of the Communications & Knowledge Management team and update planning tools, to ensure strategic alignment and a coordinated approach for content and upcoming events;
• Write and edit articles (news, features, press releases, op-eds, success stories, profiles) for IWMI’s global websites, global newsletters, and other outlets. Liaise with authors and reviewers for edits and approvals. Follow IWMI’s style guide;
• Support IWMI’s presence at national and regional events (conferences, workshops, webinars, etc.). Prepare communications plans and key messages ahead of events. Provide communications and media support during events. Document event results through newsworthy articles and other materials;
• Develop audience-led communications outputs (briefs, factsheets, presentations, reports, infographics, posters, etc.) to advance IWMI’s corporate and project objectives, focused on impacts and results;
• Prepare social media content for IWMI’s official global accounts;
• Liaise with IWMI project leaders and researchers in East Africa for potential content and outreach materials, and to ensure technical quality. If required, lead or support the design and implementation of communications plans for IWMI projects;
• Liaise with partners and stakeholders for the production of project communications materials;
• Liaise with national and regional media, and organize press conferences and journalists visits to the field, as needed. Support proactive media outreach and engagement activities;
• Ensure compliance with IWMI branding guidelines and funders’ visibility requirements;
• Support the implementation of internal communications strategies and activities, as required;
• Compile media contacts for East Africa and add them to global media lists, for targeted national, regional and global outreach;
• Help increase global email marketing subscribers (adding partners, workshop participants and other stakeholders) for targeted mailings;
• Carry out any other tasks identified as priorities by the Country/Regional Representative or the Global Communications Lead for Water Systems.
• Minimum Requirements:

  Education:

  • Bachelor’s in a relevant field such as communications, knowledge management, media, public relations, or journalism. Alternatively, in the fields of agriculture, natural resource management or environment, but with significant training and experience in communications.
  • Relevant professional certification
  • Broad / specialized knowledge of methods, techniques and processes

  Experience:

  • A minimum of seven years of experience in communications-related work.

  Language:

  • Knowledge of Amharic, Arabic, Swahili or any other language in East Africa.