JOB advert: Communications Officer
Job Title: Communication Officer
Base Salary Range: RWF 12,972,800.00 To 33,364,758.00 Annually
Department: WASH Programs
Reports to: Senior Program Manager
Duty station: Water For People in Rwanda Office
Supervisor Duties: None
Type of Contract: Full-time
Background
JOB SUMMARY:
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 the organization is supporting WASH in the districts of Rulindo, Kicukiro, Gicumbi, Karongi, and Gisagara. Ten more districts are supported under the USAID-funded Isoko y’Ubuzima Project.
Position Objective:
The Communication Officer is responsible for all internal and external communications including the development of communication materials that are in compliance with Water For People branding policy and guidelines; 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 Water For People target audiences with important information about the Country Program (CP)’s results, achievements, and impact. He will compile, edit, and produce high-quality CP progress reports that document Water For People’s achievements and efforts to achieve its overall goal and objective. The Communication Officer is also responsible for developing and maintaining any digital/social media platforms used to capture and disseminate Water For People results and success stories. The Communication Officer also manages media relations, coordinates press events, and ensures due visibility and awareness for the work of Water For People in Rwanda, both internally and externally.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:
Planning, documenting, and reporting
- Plan and implement all communications, outreach and information dissemination activities targeting key stakeholders and partners
- Work with Country Program staff to develop country strategic plans in line with Water For People’s overall strategy and policy objectives;
- Contribute to Water For People’s overall program and policy discussions.
- Participate in the elaboration of CP annual operating plans in line with the allocated budget
- Work with the Country Director and Senior Program Manager to compile annual reports, including combining sections from multiple writers and harmonizing language as well as producing the final versions.
- Initiate annual budget, and quarterly expenditure forecasts in relation to Program communications;
- Work with the MEL Officer and other program staff to coordinate Water For People participation in partners’ events, including attending and participating in press events, learning visits, and meetings with or on behalf of the Water For People
- Produce and disseminate communication materials showcasing pertinent Water For People collaboration and coordination efforts with Water For People partners.
- Document success stories and ensure they are duly disseminated to internal and external publics
- Work with the Program Manager to review and compile monthly CP updates;
- Draft the minutes of several CP meetings including but not limited to management meetings, local and national reflections, etc
- Edit any relevant reports and documents with high-quality and results-oriented content.
Communications and outreach
- Develop, implement, and evaluate Water For People’s communications plan for internal and external target audiences.
- Identify key stakeholders and managers to develop a distribution list of communication materials and ensure they receive periodic written materials.
- Develop and maintain a stakeholders database and ensure it is regularly updated.
- Produce and disseminate booklets and brochures, handouts, one-pager, press releases, video, and electronic materials that convey the scope of Water For People work and its impact.
- Use Water For People-approved templates and formats to produce and disseminate regular 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.
- Disseminate and communicate information about Water For People work through media and other channels. Leveraging media channels, including social media, efficiently and effectively. Review consistency of messaging in relation to Water For People approach, CP communications priorities, key messages, and branding requirements.
- Develop and maintain Water For People’s website and social media platforms to promote internet-based knowledge sharing for the Country Program, including producing regularly updates with new content and images, publishing videos and photographs with support from the Global team.
- Responsible for preparation of the materials for the CP Press events with support from the technical staff.
Knowledge Management and Collaborative Learning and Adaptation (CLA)
- Identify opportunities for improving internal program communications and knowledge sharing.
- Facilitate cross-country learning, including but not limited to, MS Teams, Zoom, email, WhatsApp, and Skype.
- Support the MEL officer to develop and disseminate learning products and organize internal and external learning opportunities.
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED:
Education
- At least a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, International relations or marketing with ten years’ experience or Master’s degree with five years’ experience working in communications
- Fluency in Kinyarwanda and English language is required.
- Comfortable editing documents produced by non-native English speakers.
- Experience in public relations and implementation of communication plans, digital media, branding compliance, as well as experience providing support to WATER FOR PEOPLE-funded Water For Peoples is required.
- Experience working with the media / managing media relations
- Excellent writing skills
- Strong working computer skills and proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and professional software such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Premiere or similar ones 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.
Skills
- Excellent English language writing and editing skills.
- Excellent analytical and written and oral communication skills.
- Must have a strong working computer skills and proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, 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 shirt 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.
BEHAVIOR AND COMPENTECIES:
- Connect to Mission – Embrace the Water For People mission and work to align tasks to support mission; align own behavior with the needs or priorities of the organization and demonstrate commitment to the mission; show respect and composure, publicly admit mistakes and commit to learn
- Manage through Ambiguity – Deal comfortably with uncertainty; effectively cope with change; can decide and act without having the total picture; balance thinking with action
- Demonstrate Cultural Awareness – Understand and value different perspectives while looking for the common ground; recognize and respect diversity through words and actions; effectively interact, work, and develop relationships with people of various cultural backgrounds
- Action-oriented – Set priorities and take action; have an unwavering commitment to delivering quality work products; recognize needs or opportunities to act; maintain an attitude of open, curious and proactive learning, continually expanding own area of understanding and expertise
- Sense of Team – Create partnerships and effective working teams; consciously use the informal structures, dynamics and culture of an organization to get things done; actively share and seek input in decision-making from appropriate sources; show others how their objectives align with own, getting past individual bias; invest in building relationships with others
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:
- Position is based at Water For People’s Rwanda office.
- Regular travel to program sites.
Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.
Water For People is committed to protecting children encountered during our work and by our employees, preventing sexual abuse and exploitation of all individuals with a particular focus on women and children and other marginalized communities in the performance of our work, preventing human trafficking in the performance of our work and in our supply chain and to having a drug-free workplace. During the recruitment processes, additional documentation will be requested to comply with our policies and in accordance with the legal requirements in your country of residency, this includes a background check. If you apply for employment, we want you to be aware of our recruitment, selection and hiring processes including important policies regarding employee conduct.
Water For People is an equal-opportunity employer who is committed to creating a culture of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. Water For People strives to create and maintain a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this—regardless of race, ethnicity, ancestry, tribal affiliation, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, veteran status, disability, socioeconomic class, educational attainment, Parental status, genetic information, political affiliation or other social identities is critical to our ability to have a world where every person has access to reliable and safe water and sanitation services.
Our commitment ensures that we:
- Have a different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.
- Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating each other with dignity, respect, and appreciation enabling us to feel welcome, supported, and valued.
- Effectively connect, communicate, and build long-lasting relationships with stakeholders within our diverse communities.
- Have a diversity of thought, perspectives, backgrounds, identities, and talents that will support our mission to develop high-quality drinking water and sanitation services are available to Everyone Forever.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:
- This position is based at Water For People in Rwanda office.
- Trips within and outside Rwanda will be required from time to time.
- Flexibility to work outside regular business hours to meet with team members/partners located in other time zones.
Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.
Salary Range:
Rwanda’s expected annual gross salary range is Rwf 12,972,800.00 to Rwf 33,364,758.00
The actual salary will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors.
Benefits:
Benefits are one of the ways we encourage healthy living for you and your family. Our generous package includes medical and life insurance, annual leave allocation equal to one month of salary, and other benefits in accordance with the Rwanda labor law.
HOW TO APPLY:
If you are both qualified and Water For People interests you, please visit our Career Center and apply with a cover letter along with detailed curriculum vitae (resume), educational certificates/degrees required, and other relevant academic/work experience documents. Please also attach your Identification Card (ID).
Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis; for the earliest consideration submit your application by February 18, 2024.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Water For People is committed to protecting children encountered during our work and by our employees, preventing sexual abuse and exploitation of all individuals with a particular focus on women and children and other marginalized communities in the performance of our work, preventing human trafficking in the performance of our work and in our supply chain and to having a drug-free workplace. During the recruitment processes, additional documentation will be requested to comply with our policies and by the legal requirements in your country of residency, this includes a background check. If you apply for employment, we want you to be aware of our recruitment, selection, and hiring processes including important policies regarding employee conduct.
Water For People is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to creating a culture of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. Water For People strives to create and maintain a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this—regardless of race, ethnicity, ancestry, tribal affiliation, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, veteran status, disability, socioeconomic class, educational attainment, Parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or other social identities is critical to our ability to have a world where every person has access to reliable and safe water and sanitation services.
Our commitment ensures that we:
- Have a different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.
- Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating each other with dignity, respect, and appreciation enabling us to feel welcome, supported, and valued.
- Effectively connect, communicate, and build long-lasting relationships with stakeholders within our diverse communities.
- Have a diversity of thoughts, perspectives, backgrounds, identities, and talents that will support our mission to develop sustainable high-quality drinking water and sanitation services that are available to Everyone, Forever.
Women are encouraged to apply!
Eugene DUSINGIZUMUREMYI
Country Director
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