JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
RWANDA NGURIZA NSHORE
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public-sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and host-country governments.
Project Background:
The purpose of the five-year Feed the Future-funded Rwanda Nguriza Nshore project (“Lend so that I may invest”) is to drive rural economic growth through facilitating the emergence of a dynamic agribusiness sector. By alleviating constraints to investment and increasing access to financing, Nguriza Nshore will facilitate the creation and growth of small to medium agribusinesses, as an entry point for broader growth, to provide productive employment for rural populations and reduce poverty. By working with financial institutions, investors, public and private sector business development service providers, and a variety of Government of Rwanda ministries and initiatives, Nguriza Nshore will be the catalyst that strengthens and improves existing public-private platforms that support investment from international, local, bank and non-bank sources, creating a better-functioning finance and investment ecosystem.
Role’s Purpose:
The purpose of the Communications Specialist position is to closely work with the Communications Manager to facilitate various communications components across multiple platforms for the Feed the Future funded Nguriza Nshore project. The Communications Specialist will be responsible for managing elements of the Nguriza Nshore communications strategy as well as project communications needs. The Communications Specialist will also work closely with the Communications Manager to develop communications systems in partnership with external actors. The Communications Specialist will also assist the Communications Manager in maintaining a strong digital presence. In collaboration with the Communications Manager, the Communications Specialist will ensure that all elements of the communications strategy are adequately implemented, including:
- Using communications tools to inform the public regarding project activities, for example new investments or policy changes;
- Using communications tools to support project activities, for example producing materials targeted at financial institutions or small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to help communicate benefits of de-risking tools or pre-investment support.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Communications Specialist reports to the Communications Manager. He/She will work closely with the Communications Manager to implement the communications strategy and ensure that all communications materials are donor compliant. The following are the Communications Specialist’s primary responsibilities:
- Collaborate closely with Communications Manager to ensure that all components of communications strategy are well implemented
- Working with the Communications Manager, design and implement targeted communications plans for reaching key people (i.e. government officials) as well as for reaching key audiences (youth, private sector etc.) which may involve a variety of communications mediums such as social media, digital articles, media, etc.
- Support Communications Manager to compile, prepare and edit donor reports
- Regularly update Nguriza Nshore’s social media channels to increase audience engagement and create greater visibility
- Regularly conduct research including weekly media roundups to understand emerging trends in the communications sector in Rwanda as well as in the financial services and entrepreneurial ecosystems to better inform the project’s efforts of reaching key stakeholders and enhancing cross-functional sharing and communication
- Support in developing content for Nguriza Nshore’s website including project updates and success stories
- Adhere to Nguriza Nshore’s style guide as well as Feed the Future and USAID branding standards, ensuring that all produced project material is consistent with the style guide
- Support government and private sector partners on communications and marketing needs in collaboration with the Communications Manager
- In close collaboration with the Communications Manager, support SMEs with communications requests such as social media support, re-branding, new materials design etc.
- Engage and build relationships with media houses
- Support in managing all project events and trips, assisting to coordinate all logistics, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly (including with internal and external actors) to create a good name for the project and ensure project visibility and branding
- Regularly capture success stories, project statistics, data, news, updates, pictures, etc. in close collaboration with Communications Manager that can be used in reports and on social media
- Design a quarterly communications calendar to help Nguriza Nshore release relevant content on key events and recognition days such as International Women’s Day and the International MSME Day
- Manage and regularly update a “media bank” of project activity photos, videos, and texts
- Build and manage a “consent bank” of media consent forms
- Regularly perform an inventory of Nguriza Nshore’s communication materials, to ensure an up-to-date log of items
- Work with the Communications Manager to design top quality Nguriza Nshore materials such as brochure, general project info sheet, data visualizations, and other general communications items, as outlined in the strategy
- Master Feed the Future and USAID branding and work closely with Communications Manager to ensure compliance with Feed the Future and USAID branding and marking guidelines for all communications products including donor reports and project materials
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field;
- 3-5 years of experience in project support communications, digital or project management in Rwanda;
- Substantial experience on previous USAID-funded projects in Rwanda, submitting materials directly to USAID preferred;
- Portfolio of previous materials developed for high-level donor projects, solely developed and written by the applicant;
- Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with experience communicating difficult and sensitive topics in a creative and easily accessible manner;
- Strong knowledge and understanding of current trends in digital and social media in Rwanda, with 1-2 years’ experience managing social media channels, and ability to identify relevant emerging trends and information sharing mechanisms to inform social media strategies;
- Experience with event management;
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with institutional and private-sector partners and stakeholders;
- Experience using photo editing and desktop publishing software including Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator with portfolio of previous designed materials;
- English and Kinyarwanda fluency
COMPETENCIES:
- Willingness to take extra steps outside of the job scope in order to produce and ensure timely delivery of required communications materials;
- Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage several tasks under extremely tight deadlines;
- Willingness to experiment with new approaches or technologies;
- Excellent cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills;
- Willingness to learn;
- Innovative and creative with a passion for communications and creating various types of digital content.
REPORTING:
This position will report to the Nguriza Nshore Communications Manager.
LOCATION:
Kigali, Rwanda
HOW TO APPLY:
Fill out the online application on the following link: https://fs9.formsite.com/daisuppliers/NgurizaNshoreProject/index.html
Applications are due by December 21st, 2020, 5pm CAT
DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.
Women, youth, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
