COMMUNICATION OFFICER

Country: Kenya

Organization: Finn Church Aid

Closing date: 12 Mar 2023

Finn Church Aid is a right-based organisation with 70 years of experience and operations in 12 countries. FCA is Finland’s largest NGO working in development cooperation and second largest provider of disaster relief. We work in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy, guided by international human rights standards and principles. We contribute to positive change by supporting people in the most vulnerable situations within fragile and disaster-affected areas. We consider three thematic areas as central to sustainable change: the right to peace (R2P), livelihood (R2L) and quality education (R2QE).

In Kenya, FCA has been working since 2014 in all three thematic areas, supporting local communities and governments to resolve and prevent conflicts in five counties of northern Kenya; providing access to primary education in Turkana, Garissa and Marsabit, Kenya’s poorest counties; and improving access to quality education for children, youth and their families with holistic support mechanisms. FCA also provides emergency cash assistance to drought-affected families in Garissa.

Reporting to: Country Director

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Position Status: Locally Hired Position

Area of Operation: Kenya

Employment Period: Starting in March 2023. 1 year with the possibility of extension.

Primary purpose of the position:

Under the supervision of (CD), the Communications Officer is responsible for developing the Kenya Country Office (KECO) communications strategy and for its implementation, working closely and in collaboration with programme teams and on a regular basis with FCA’s Service and Accountability Center (SAC). This will include media engagement, digital and social media content production and visibility and communications plans for programmes and building FCA’s brand with the country. The post holder will lead the production and development of communications materials that are necessary for communication with donors, stakeholders, government, beneficiaries, and SAC.

Main tasks:

• Produce accurate, clear, and consistent information and communications outputs that highlight the situations in Kenya and FCA’s work, including case studies, feature stories and content for online platforms.


• Planning, producing, and publishing content on FCA Kenya’s social media platforms and website.


• Produce visually appealing and brand-aligned external marketing materials for programmes, including for fundraising purposes.


• Review and approve Terms of References (ToRs) for printing and production of all communications materials, as well as the use of external contractors for communications purposes.


• Lead in the development of KECO’s annual communications plan.


• In collaboration with Country Director and Programme Managers, develop specific communications plans for each thematic area and ensure roles and responsibilities for the implementation of the plans that are agreed upon and clear.


• Regularly update the Communications Unit in Helsinki with stories and visual content suitable for social media.


• Ensure high-quality internet communications materials across FCA internal channels. Promote sharing, learning, and interactive dialogue among staff.


• Host and plan visits from journalists, VIPs, donors, partners and visiting FCA staff in collaboration with the logistics and programme teams.


• Obtain approval for publishing materials as per relevant FCA procedures and protocols, and in line and international and local laws.

Experience and skills:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, Media Studies or related field or proven equivalent work experience.


• Work Experience: Three (3) years or more relevant work experience in advertising, communications, social media, media management, public relations or related field. Experience in a non-profit sector is an added advantage.


• Ability to speak confidently in front of the media, donors, and senior staff.


• Ability to write compelling stories and photo captions from material gathered in the field.


• Good eye for page layouts and design


• Good understanding of content suitable for social media.


• Good understanding of the key components in brand management


• Excellent personal organisational skills, including time management, and ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure


• Experience of working in related human development issues, especially one or more of FCA’s thematic areas (i.e. Right to Peace, Quality education and Livelihood) is an advantage.


• Willingness to travel to field offices and work in difficult environments according to travel requirements


• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential, with demonstrated strong writing and presentation skills.

How to apply

All qualified and interested candidates are encouraged to send a completed Application Letter and Curriculum Vitae to: recruitment.esaro@kua.fi stating the vacancy job title in the subject line

Deadline for receiving applications is 12th March 2023.

FCA will only contact short- listed applicants. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

FCA is an equal opportunity employer, irrespective of gender, race or religious affiliation. FCA is a signatory to the Code of Conduct for humanitarian agencies. Attempts to influence recruitment procedures through phone calls, emails or inducements of any kind will lead to disqualifications.