Position Title: Communications & Outreach specialist
Duration: One Year with possibility of renewal
Department: Water For People/USAID Isooko y’Ubuzima Project
Supervisor’s title: Chief of Party
Organizational context:
Water For People is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that works with people and partners to develop innovative and long-lasting solutions to the water, sanitation, and hygiene problems in developing countries. The organization strives to continually improve, experiment with promising new ideas, and leverage resources to multiply its impact.
Water For People is currently operating in 9 countries including Rwanda where Water For People is supporting WASH in the Districts of Rulindo, Kicukiro, Gicumbi, and Karongi.
Water For People has secured funds from the USAID to finance the USAID Isooko y’Ubuzima Project that will operate in 10 Districts of Rwanda from 2021 to 2026.
It is against this background that Water For People in Rwanda is seeking to recruit a Communication & Outreach specialist with the following qualification and competencies, for the THRIVE Project.
Position objective:
The Communications and Outreach Specialist is responsible for all internal and external communications including the development of communication materials that are in compliance with USAID branding requirements and dissemination of such materials through appropriate channels (local and international media, website and social media platforms, etc.). These materials are intended to reach all THRIVE WASH target audiences with important information about the Activity’s results, achievements and impact. S/he will compile, edit, and produce high-quality Activity progress reports that document the Activity’s achievements and efforts to achieve its overall goal and objective. The Communications and Outreach Specialist is also responsible for developing and maintaining any digital/social media platforms used to capture and disseminate project results and success stories. This position is full-time and based in Kigali with frequent travel to the ten target districts.
Major responsibilities and duties:
Planning, documenting, and reporting
- Work with the COP to compile annual work plans, including combining sections from multiple writers and harmonizing language as well as producing the final versions.
- Assist the DCOP in maintaining up-to-date monthly and quarterly Gantt charts to contribute to the quality and the timely execution of planned interventions.
- Work with the MEL Advisor to coordinate THRIVE WASH participation in the USAID partner’s events, including attending and participating in annual joint work planning events, field site visits, and meetings with or on behalf of the THRIVE WASH district focal points.
- Provide periodic updates on potential projects’ synergies and follow-up actions to the project team and produce and disseminate communication materials showcasing pertinent Thrive Wash collaboration and coordination efforts with the USAID partners.
- Update and maintain Thrive internal shared drive documenting Activity progress and achievements.
- Work with the DCOP to review and compile bi-monthly bullets on Activity’s accomplishments, challenges, and follow-up actions.
- Review and compile monthly, quarterly, and annual narrative reports to capture progress, achieved results, and impact in accordance with USAID guidelines and formats.
- Edit any relevant reports and documents with high quality and results-oriented English content.
Communications and outreach
- Develop, implement, and evaluate Isooko y’Ubuzima Project’s communications plan for internal and external target audiences.
- Identify key stakeholders and managers to develop a distribution list of Isooko y’Ubuzima project’s communication materials and ensure they receive periodic written materials.
- Use and maintain an external outreach list.
- Develop and maintain an internal contact list of all Isooko y’Ubuzima Project professional contacts and develop and maintain a sound work relationship.
- Produce and disseminate booklets and brochures, handouts, one pager, press releases, video, and electronic materials that convey the scope of Isooko y’Ubuzima Project work and its impact.
- Use USAID-approved templates and formats to produce and disseminate regular Activity updates to internal and external stakeholders, including developing electronic and print materials such as fact sheets, briefings, presentations, publications, talking points and/or speeches, press briefings and releases, newsletters, quarterly success stories, snapshots, before and after pieces, and other communications materials.
- Provide quarterly success stories and program progress briefings to the WFP- Rwanda communications expert.
- Disseminate and communicate information about Isooko y’Ubuzima Project work through media and other channels. Leveraging media channels, including social media, efficiently and effectively. Review consistency of messaging in relation to Isooko y’Ubuzima Project approach, USAID communications priorities, key messages, and branding requirements.
- Develop and maintain Isooko y’Ubuzima website and social media platforms to promote internet-based knowledge sharing for the Activity, including producing regular updates with new content and images, publishing videos and photographs with support from the WFP Global Director of Marketing and Communications.
- Responsible for preparation of the materials for the Activity events, workshops and training with support from the Isooko y’Ubuzima Project technical staff.
Knowledge Management and Collaborative Learning and Adaptation (CLA)
- Identify opportunities for improving internal program communications and knowledge sharing within WFP and implement solutions.
- Identify in-house and external models to effectively promote sanitation marketing and document key processes and lessons-learned throughout Activity execution.
- In collaboration with the MEL Advisor, develop and organize appropriate CLA events, workshops, fora, brown-bag sessions, and other learning and knowledge sharing events (at central and district levels) to raise awareness of Activity interventions, share achievements and trends in performance, to understand challenges and eventual opportunities, and identify changes to be adopted to effectively achieve THRIVE WASH’s expected results and meet stakeholders’ needs.
- Identify and support the establishment of a WASH marketing knowledge sharing network across WFP and Partners worldwide existing and pertinent projects as well as other relevant donor-funded projects to connect THRIVE WASH staff with relevant counterparts.
- Facilitate cross-country learning, including but not limited to, MS Teams, Zoom, email, WhatsApp, and Skype.
Managerial
- Work with the MEL Advisor to complete summarized narratives on Activity progress and results to be uploaded in the Government of Rwanda international NGO Registration Platform.
- Provide communications related mentorship and guidance to the MEL Officers and the DCOP.
- Work with COP to develop a positive working environment for all staff members. •
- Perform other duties/tasks as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Education
- A Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, International relations or related field or an equivalent combination of relevant experience or training
Work Experience and requirements
- Fluency in the English language is required.
- Comfortable editing documents produced by non-native English speakers.
- 3 to 5 years of experience working in communications, reporting, and/or production of communication materials.
- Experience in public relations and implementation of communication plans, digital media, branding compliance, as well as experience providing support to USAID-funded projects is required.
- Prior experience working on areas such as WASH, WASH marketing, community participation, capacity building, and/or service delivery in Rwanda, East Africa or similar context is required.
- Expert knowledge in synthesizing complex technical issues and subjects for presentation to diverse stakeholders and audiences, including the press.
- Specialized training and experience in communications related to development programs in an overseas context.
- Highly knowledgeable about USAID’s branding and marking requirements is a must.
Skills
- Excellent English language writing and editing skills.
- Excellent analytical and written and oral communication skills.
- Must have strong working computer skills and proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Project, and comfort with learning new applications as required.
- Proven experience in using social media.
- Familiarity with current web-based tools, apps, and IT platforms. •
- High-level interpersonal skills, as well as stakeholder management skills
- Maturity, professionalism, positive attitude.
- Demonstrated ability to organize workload, respond to multiple demands, and meet short deadlines.
- Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environment.
- Ability to work well in a culturally diverse and team-based environment.
- Motivation to work independently with limited supervision.
- Ability and willingness to travel to target districts.
- Must be flexible, innovative, proactive, to work under tight deadlines, and have excellent follow through skills.
Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.
How to Apply:
- If you are both qualified and Water For People interests you, please visit our Career Center and apply with application letter along with detailed curriculum vitae (resume), relevant academic documents, and contact details of at least three (3) referees to this position. Please submit your application materials in English. In-person visits or phone calls are not allowed!
- Applications need to be received no later than 15 September 2021 at 5:00 pm (Rwanda time).
August 2021.
Perpetue Kamuyumbu
Country Director
Water For People in Rwanda.
