Kenya: Communications Specialist

Organization: Habitat for Humanity International

Country: Kenya

Closing date: 31 Dec 2015

Use your expert communications skills to build a world where everyone has a decent place to live; consider joining us at Habitat for Humanity!

JOB TITLE: Communications Specialist
JOB LOCATION: Nairobi, Kenya

HFH Kenya has an exciting career opportunity for an experienced Communications Specialist to lead internal and external communications activities at HFH Kenya and HFH Uganda, working with local staff where and when available.

In this role the Communications Specialist will work with the Communications Director for Europe, Middle East & Africa in developing the strategic plans for the assigned countries as well as work alongside team members located presently in Bratislava, South Africa and the United Kingdom. The role will seek to enhance the HFH brand, cultivate new area-wide or regional communications media and other communications partnerships and position HFH as an expert/leader in the area of housing.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Guiding the strategic planning process for area-wide approach to communications and public relations needs for HFH and for its work with The MasterCard Foundation.


• Develop and maintain relationships with key housing, financial, business, and charity media.


• Enhance the HFHI brand in the area through strategic communication initiatives with National Organizations and ensuring consistent messaging of brand and logo.


• Analyze and report on communication impact for digital/social and traditional media.


• Mentor and develop emerging talent among HFH entities in countries mentioned above.


• Function as an executive contact in key partnerships and prospects throughout the area.The successful candidate’s performance will be based on meeting annual communications targets assigned. The Communications Specialist will perform the above role either as a program team lead, a program team member, or as a thematic knowledge manager.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build and maintain relationships with key social and traditional media seeking and gaining opportunities to place information about HFH to gain wider awareness and understanding of our work.


• Work with National Directors and their staff, program managers in identifying and writing/developing stories and content that can be used and placed both inside and outside of the area’s media as well as in HFH publications, sector publications, industry conferences and social media channels, with a focus on market development.


• Support the HFH/The MasterCard Foundation relationship to ensure that the work being done, the agreements reached, and the impact of the programs gain positive profile in both housing and financial services and media coverage, working with partner financial institutions.


• Research and originate stories (occasionally involving field trips), case studies, scripts, presentations, marketing and advertising copy as required for use in internal regional and global publications.


• Maintain integrity of content used in editorial and marketing communications materials published by and within the countries specified.


• Establish strong relationships with National Directors and HFHI regional and global team members. Lead the collaborative development efforts among Habitat for Humanity entities in the area.


• Provide accurate activity and pipeline reports as required.


• Effectively manage HFHI resources including travel and other expenses for self and for other HFHI team members that may be involved in pursuing new opportunities.


• Manage diverse teams in collaborative development efforts when needed.


• Provide leadership to HFH entities and regional office staff regarding communications.


• Prepare and present quarterly and annual appreciation reports and updates to communicate the results of the program, celebrate its successes and identify potential areas of improvement.

KEY INTERACTIONS:

Interacts with Area Office staff, HFHI Global Team, HFH Entities (NOs and branches), with communications partner staff ranging from mid-level managers to CEO/COO/CFO level executives. Will work cooperatively and solve problems with the internal HFH team to maximize The MasterCard Foundation partnership growth.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEVELS IMPACTED:

EMEA Staff, National Offices, Affiliate Staff, HFHI Staff, National Directors, Strategic Program Team and staff.

BUDGET/FINANCIAL DISCRETION:

Interact with others to exchange opinions, ideas and concerns with considerable discretion on complex technical matters, operational, financial or legal status.

Exercise good judgment in making financial transactions within the context of an approved budget and procedures.

PLANNING AND LEADERSHIP IMPACT:

Effective time management and strategic account and territory planning are essential. Demonstrating solid leadership particularly in collaborative development situations is critical to success.

POLICY LEVEL IMPACT:

Regularly formulates, proposes and interprets policies which impact defined unit or program.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Travel will be required 30% primarily within the assigned area.

Must be comfortable in fast paced working environment.

EDUCATION REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• 5-7 years English-language journalism experience preferably in a newsroom environment.


• Word based computer skills.


• PowerPoint and web computer skills preferred.


• Video/broadcast experience a plus.


• Experience or exposure to developing marketing plans, program-driven communications, and working with mass media.


• International NGO experience within the area will be a distinct advantage.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Strong English language writing and editing skills, preferably developed in a news media environment.


• Ability to see a news angle, and to judge and prioritize information of significance for publicizing Habitat"s activities.


• An editor"s fine eye for detail.


• Research skills, and clear reasoning and organizational skills.


• Second language used in the area preferred but not necessary.


• Strong business presentation skills.


• Ability to work in cross functional teams and reporting to a variety of project managers.


• Ability to work in cross-cultural settings.


• Ability to influence through persuasion, as opposed to direct line management.


• Individual must be an independent thinker and self-starter with the ability to handle numerous projects and several high profile foundation or corporate relationships at one time.


• Excellent training and mentoring skills.


• Servant Leadership: Model servant leadership and motivate other leaders, staff members, beneficiaries and volunteers in following the vision of HFH.

How to apply:

Email your CV and cover letter to EMEAHR@habitat.org with subject line: Communications Specialist.

The position offers a competitive compensation and benefits package in the international non-governmental organization market.

About Habitat:

Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. The purpose and goal of Habitat for Humanity International is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses in partnership with families in need. Habitat for Humanity has an Administrative Headquarters based in Atlanta, an Operational Headquarters based in Americus, Georgia, and Area Office bases of operations in Manila, Philippines for our Asia and Pacific work, San Jose, Costa Rica for our Latin American and Caribbean work and Bratislava, Slovakia for our Europe, the Middle East and Africa work.

HFHI is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ and assign the best qualified personnel for all our positions in a manner that does not unlawfully discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, gender, marital status, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran/reserve national guard status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.