VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) was established under law number 11/2008 of 06/05/2008 to regulate the accounting profession in Rwanda. The Institute has a new strategic plan 2022 – 2026 which aims to boost the number of professional accountants in the country. ICPAR announces the following position which will support the implementation of its five-year strategic plan:

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (1)

Job Purpose:

The main objective of this assignment is to recruit a public relations officer to strengthen and enhance the Institute’s visibility, credibility, and engagement with its stakeholders. Specifically, this role aims to support ICPAR’s mission to promote and regulate the accountancy profession in Rwanda, improve its image, and foster stronger connections with local, regional, and global audiences.

Key Responsibilities:

The Public Relations Officer will be responsible for providing a wide range of services, including but not limited to the following:

• Communication Strategy Development: Develop and implement a comprehensive public relations strategy to enhance the Institute’s visibility and reputation through various media platforms.
• Media Relations: Establish and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets, and prepare press releases, media kits, and respond to media inquiries to promote ICPAR’s activities and initiatives.
• Content Creation: Write and edit articles, newsletters, and blogs that reflect the Institute’s mission and values, and manage content on ICPAR’s website and social media platforms to ensure consistency, engagement, and timely updates.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Foster relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions, and professional organizations, coordinate outreach activities to engage members and the public in the Institute’s initiatives and programs.
• Crisis Management: Develop and implement crisis communication strategies to safeguard the Institute’s reputation, and serve as the point of contact for public relations crises, ensuring timely and appropriate responses.
• Monitoring & Reporting: Monitor media coverage and public perception of the Institute, providing regular reports to management, analyze and report on the effectiveness of communication strategies and campaigns, suggesting improvements as needed.

Personal Specifications:

Qualification:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications or Journalism
• Certifications: Professional certification in PR or communications (such as APR – Accredited in Public Relations, or similar) is advantageous.

Experience:

• Professional Experience: At least 1 year of experience in public relations, communications, or a related role.
• Experience in the financial, professional services, or educational sectors is beneficial.
• Media Relations: knowledge of working with media outlets & platforms and managing press coverage.
• Crisis Management: Experience handling PR crises or issues that require timely and effective communication.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strategic Communication: Ability to develop, implement, and assess comprehensive communication strategies that align with organizational goals.
• Media Relations and Networking: Strong understanding of the media landscape in Rwanda and the region.
• Content Creation: Skilled in creating engaging content across formats, including articles, press releases, social media posts, and newsletters. Skills in design software would be an added plus.
• Digital Marketing: Familiarity with digital marketing principles, including SEO, social media management, and website content management.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to monitor and analyze PR metrics and effectiveness, providing insights on media coverage and public perception.
• Ability to innovate around how the Institute communicates to its stakeholders, members and students.

Attitudes:

• Professional Integrity: Commitment to ICPAR’s values, ethics, and mission in promoting the accountancy profession.
• Open to continuous learning and working with limited supervision.
• Proactive and Solution-Oriented: Anticipates issues and addresses them with a proactive, solutions-driven approach.
• Adaptable and Resilient: Flexibility to handle unexpected challenges, particularly during crises or high-pressure situations.
• Strong Interpersonal Skills: Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including media, members, and stakeholders.
• Team Player: Works collaboratively with internal teams and fosters a cooperative, inclusive work environment.
• Attention to Detail: Maintains a high standard of accuracy in all communications and ensures consistency in messaging.

Working Relationships:

• Key members of the Strategy and Institutional Sustainability (SIS)
• Reports to the Brand and Communications Manager
• Regular communications with internal and external stakeholders
• Support to other departments

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Our relentless commitment to personal development and career growth
• Working with the best people to build a strong, relevant and sustainable accountancy profession that is at the heart of national development.

Interested candidates should send their applications, academic documents together with their CVs, giving full details of their age, qualifications, experience, present and expected remuneration, full contact details including day time telephone number,

to: [email protected] by 20^th November 2024.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Preference will be given to Rwandan Nationals.