PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

• ·Develop and manage a detailed programmes communications plan, in alignment with IEE’s overall communications plan.
• ·Write and post high profile content and Human-Interest Stories that highlight programme activities, featuring stakeholders’ interaction and experiences with the project.
• ·Manage the IEE webpage as content officer ensuring regular posting of information; Ensure page is up to date, accurate, compelling; Keep IEE’s online presence by updating, revising, and developing its website resources and by developing social media content.
• ·Post IEE’s communications on varied channels including print media, social media, and website.
• ·Contribute to IEE reports and general communications to support communication of programme progress to relevant stakeholders, both internal and external.
• ·Provide communication support to overall day-to-day programme management related to all project activities for effective delivery of the programme.
• ·Synthesize programme information in support of effective communications on programmes, supporting implementation, and producing highly focused programme implementation update reports taking into consideration, contextual, policy and logistics related to implementation.
• ·Plan and implement information gathering activities with education stakeholders at national and local levels, for empirical communication on programmes.
• ·Keep abreast of communication trends and adopt them for effective communication on IEE programmes.
• ·Collaborate with IEE management and programme teams to generate programme information both for media sharing and for reporting.
• ·Lead on writing of project information sheets and reports.
• ·Undertake any other project communication roles and activities as may be requested by IEE Management.

Other key responsibilities

• Edit materials (papers, briefs, power point presentations, etc) in English and Kinyarwanda.
• Develop, write and edit communications materials, including press releases, blog posts and social media content.
• Track analytics and create reports detailing successes and failures of IEE communications activities.
• Ensure that all communication material aligns with IEE communications standards.
• Maintain digital media archives including photos and videos as part of programme documentation.
• Work with programme team members to conceptualize and implement communications strategies and campaigns.
• Respond to media inquiries and perform media outreach for accurate inclusion of IEE programmes in publications.
• Develop escalation protocols for managing communication crises, should they arise.
• Communicate clearly and in a timely fashion with external audiences, face-to-face, through email and telephone; conferences where appropriate, and other forms.
• Manage knowledge documentation; support documentation and publication of work and lessons; ensure regular learning sessions occur.

• Bachelors’ degree, preferably a Masters’ degree (Communications, International Relations/Public Affairs, Journalism, or other related field) and 5 years of proven experience in a similar role.
• Experience in narrative, analytical writing from a range of perspectives.
• Significant experience in and/or demonstraton of broad, in-depth proficiency in content development, including editing communications products for structure, clarity of ideas, and the logical presentation of content.

Work Based Skills, Behaviours and Competencies:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Functional knowledge of Kinyarwanda is an asset.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, editing skills, and interviewing skills. The role requires a high degree of facility in writing for different audiences (IEE staff, programme stakeholders, students) and for different media (website, social media, annual reports, brochures).
• Solid knowledge of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies for planning, executing and monitoring communications strategies.
• Understanding of the best practices of main social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, etc
• Exceptional writing skills and be able to compose engaging and accurate content.
• Strong communicator who works well independently and with a team.
• Superior time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Good IT skills including proficient knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator is an asset.
• Understanding of communications, public relations, and program promotion best practices.
• Ability to think strategically and identify ways to improve communication efforts.
• Must be resourceful and take initiative even when given minimal direction.
• Ability to identify and anticipate communications-related risks and opportunities at the country and sub-regional levels.
• Journalistic and analytical writing and presentation skills.
• Demonstrable skills in writing Human Interest Stories is an added advantage.
• Deep knowledge of issues pertaining to education, teaching, and learning, along with awareness of various field-related instructional practices and career pathways.
• Experience in teaching is considered an asset.
• Demonstrable skills and experience in project communications, producing communications papers or equivalent with a proven ability to synthesize large amounts of information into concise reports.
• Ability to clearly accurately articulate complex information to a wide range of audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to enthuse and engage a diverse range of stakeholders internally and externally.
• Able to analyze and evaluate complex information, including statistics.
• Professionalism, trustworthiness, and tact.
• Able to schedule work effectively and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Credibility with country stakeholders, such as CSOs, academic institutions, and media;
• Personal and professional integrity, self-motivation, dynamism, imagination and proven ability to work under minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated willingness to receive feedback and adjust to a rapidly changing environment with evolving priorities;
• Ability to prioritize, work well under pressure and capably handle/juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines;
• Ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into key messages tailored to target audiences.

Other desirable skills and competencies:

• Able to analyse and respond to external developments and identify issues speedily and effectively.
• Ability to clearly accurately articulate complex information to a wide range of audiences.  Excellent written and oral presentation skills, with the ability to engage, inspire, build credibility, and engender trust with diverse audiences.
• Time management skills, project management skills, and organizational skills. The ability to meet deadlines is essential.
• Ability to research and quickly disseminate relevant, emerging, and existing evidence-based practices and models.
• Proven stakeholder management skills.
• Proven experience managing a team.
• Demonstrable skills and experience in project leadership, producing policy papers or equivalent with a proven ability to synthesize large amounts of information into concise reports.
• Strong project management experience including planning, initiating, and delivering new initiatives within agreed time scales.
• Demonstrable skills and experience in securing involvement of internal and external stakeholders, planning and facilitating consultation exercises, interviews or fact-finding meetings which result in all relevant information being collected within a limited timeframe.
• Good presenter with experience of presenting complex ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Able to work flexibly as part of a small team and to work independently.
• Trustworthy, ethical, and authentic in all situations.
• Extremely well-organized multi-tasker.
• Self-motivated, ambitious, goal-oriented.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, and CV including names of at least 4 position-relevant referees with scanned copies of certificates/diplomas, and 4 samples of their written work, to The Country Director, Inspire Educate and Empower Rwanda (IEE) at [email protected]  on or before the closing date of August 31, 2020.

Please place “Communications Officer” in the subject line of the email when applying.

*Not heeding to this instruction will lead to disqualification.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.