Oxfam in Rwanda was physically established in the 1980s, although prior to that in the 1960s, Oxfam was engaged in delivering humanitarian response, water and sanitation, conflict management and sustainable livelihoods by funding project work of partner organizations in the country. Oxfam overall vision is a just Rwanda without poverty.

Oxfam in Rwanda developed a Five-Year Strategic Plan (2015-2020) based on comprehensive analysis of the Rwandan context and the power constellations that identify some of the critical barriers to inclusive development in the country and opportunities for change. Therefore, the strategy is centred on interventions that are in line with its mission – to ensure that poor women, men and youth enjoy equal rights and benefit from fair and inclusive development. Oxfam invest where it can add value as the country implements the National Strategy for Transformation and now moving from Vision 2020 to Vision 2050. Oxfam Country Strategy is implemented under four key program pillars, namely: – Sustainable Livelihood, Participatory Governance, Gender Justice and Humanitarian Preparedness and Resilience Strengthening.

We are currently recruiting for experienced Rwandans national for the following position:

Communication Officer

Location          : Based in Kigali – but required from time to time to support Implementing Partners in all Oxfam’s operating areas,

Salary              : Competitive

Duration          : One year (renewable based on performance)

Availability      : Immediately

Level               : National D1

The key role will be encompassing the project’s advocacy, policy, campaigns, research and communication functions. The Communication Officer manages external relations and public perception in addition to supporting dissemination of Oxfam’s project related policy positions, facilitating networking and ensuring that the organization has the necessary information to engage in influencing activities.

The post holder will be supporting the implementation of the communication and visibility plan of the proposed program ensuring project’s objectives, achievements, activities are communicated to a variety of relevant audiences. The role also includes documenting and disseminating project learning, support preparation of project annual reports, and the management of all aspects of the project.

The Communication Officer will lead in the articulation of unique communication strategies during projects implementation; also includes but not limited to management of the project media relations, and finally facilitate the timely dissemination of content into media networks.

The Communication Officer will also engage local partners’ organisations, Oxfam’s regional and affiliates’ teams in advancing of project communication work.

key Responsibilities

• Develop the Oxfam project media and communication policy, strategies and action plans for the country and specific media and communication products, based on the European Commission and Oxfam international media strategy, Oxfam Country Strategy and knowledge of relevant local and international developments and in consultation with other Oxfam affiliates and assist in identifying new innovative media and information angles.
• Guide the project strategic review, development of, and designing and delivering strategies for Oxfam in Rwanda thematic areas of communication work (internal and external) that will increase the impact and influence of program objectives and support other corporate objectives in campaigning and fundraising.
• Regularly assess the media environment in the country and advise project management of opportunities and threats that may exist.
• Identify, develop and maintain excellent relationships with key media players, journalists and broadcasters in Rwanda and (as required by the project) regionally and internationally, support wider campaigns work and identify ways of influencing key stakeholders.
• Contribute to achieving quality, efficiency and impact of the project information, media and communication efforts in the country, taking into consideration Oxfam brand guidelines.
• Facilitate the ability of Oxfam partners/counterparts to work effectively with the media, by organizing capacity building and information sharing sessions.
• Review and verify facts in policy, and communication documents produced by Oxfam project team, supporting the team with innovative ways of presenting communication products like reports.
• Provide regular information, briefings and reports on country level activities, including the support of visits to the program by donors and other stakeholders.
• Take the lead on production of daily situation and media reports to inform relevant Oxfam structures of all relevant aspects of project work in the country as well as briefings on the current context within which the Oxfam project is working.

• Produce and share a range of project communication products in a variety of formats and for a variety of audiences (websites, social media, intranet, internal and external newsletters, mailings, etc),
• Develop, maintain, and communicate regularly a calendar of events for the project, ensuring that project managers are planning for such events including media and communication requirements.

• Coordinate the gathering of case studies and take photos for visibility and other purposes as required by the Donor, Affiliates and Oxfam International, etc.

• Promote the work of the Oxfam project in Rwanda and optimise the role of the mainstream and social media in promoting project’s values, objectives and brand in Rwanda.
• Make a strategic contribution to the development of digital communications platforms to ensure we increase the project impact and influence in policy and practice.

• Provide insight and advice on opportunities to increase the project reach and impact of Oxfam’s content, including through horizon scanning of digital developments and potential partnerships.
• Liaise with and support Project team to develop the online presence and connect with their audiences through publications and digital platforms.
• Identify opportunities for internal collaboration to develop content which meets strategic Objectives of the project.

• Collection, analysis and communication of project website statistics including users, referrals, downloads and altimetric on a monthly, annual and ad hoc basis and recommendations to increase reach through evidence-based decision making.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

• Masters/Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Digital Design and Technology, Mass Communications, Social Sciences, Humanities or relevant field.
• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience in public relations, Development communications or advocacy at national or international scale.
• Experience in handling web-based management systems and office software packages.
• Ability to develop a media and communications strategy and a strong portfolio of previous media and communications work.
• Demonstrable conceptual and analytical skills and ability to think strategically, innovatively and practically to improve quality of communications.
• Excellent understanding of the Rwandan context, in terms of its political, economic, cultural and social trends, the key development and humanitarian issues in the region, as well as an established network within the Rwandan and regional media industry.
• Politically astute, with influencing and persuasive skills to gain respect and build and maintain strong, credible relationships, with internal and external stakeholders at different levels
• Substantial experience of development in NGOs or other civil society organisations, with an understanding of development communication and working with partners and the ability to produce high-quality reports and documentation for project management, donor requirements and communication purposes nationally and internationally.
• Responsible, flexible and adaptable, with the ability and willingness to adjust to changing situations while maintaining focus on delivery and follow-through, with travel, when required, to remote location.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in a culturally diverse organisation and willingness to engage with peer-to-peer learning to improve personal and team performance.
• Results driven, with excellent editorial skills and attention to details, enabling efficient resource management and working to deadlines with minimum supervision.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills in English and Kinyarwanda.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

How to apply 

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications including recent curriculum vitae (CV) with contact details (phone and email address) of their most recent line manager as part of their referees and motivation letter.

About us

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of international confederation of 19 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.