Programme Description
Kenya is the largest economy in East Africa and has for many years been the economic and democratic stronghold amongst conflict and poverty ridden neighbours. However, electoral violence, corruption and a lack of accountability have undermined the Government’s ability to ensure inclusive growth and service delivery. Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are ambitious, but success is possible where reforms are well-grounded in political and economic realities, sequenced and focused on improving tangible services to citizens. To achieve more inclusive and accountable governance, and ensure effective poverty reduction and better public services, Kenya requires credible and non-violent elections, stronger performance and interaction of formal oversight institutions, and citizens and a civil society that mobilise for improved responsiveness and accountability of officials. DFID has designed the Deepening Democracy Programme (DDP) to support formal accountability institutions, civil society organisations and other accountability mechanisms to contribute to this change.
The combined impact of DDP is more inclusive and accountable governance in Kenya. DDP has two main results areas – electoral and non-electoral accountability. Electoral accountability will be strengthened through (i) supporting more credible elections in 2017 and the future; (ii) improving civic engagement in elections; and (iii) contributing to a more inclusive electoral process for historically marginalised groups (e.g. women). Non-electoral accountability will focus on supporting state and non-state accountability and oversight institutions on a demand driven basis by (i) strengthening capacity of and facilitating linkages between formal oversight agencies; supporting climate change governance reforms; and (ii) supporting civil society to improve their participation and advocacy on key issues such as planning, budgeting, climate change, and service delivery.
DAI with partners South Consulting, ODI and Integrity have been contracted to implement DDP and are currently looking for an experienced Programme & Communications Specialist to join DDP Team.
Role Description
The Programme and Communications Specialist will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating all aspects of communications and outreach including designing and implementing effective outreach and communications strategies for DDP and developing interventions to strengthen targeted county media entities in full compliance with DFID policies and regulations, on-time, within budget, and with maximum impact. S/he will identify activities for documenting into snapshots and success stories, updating the DDP website as well as keeping DDP’s social media engagement up to date. In addition, s/he will assist the Monitoring, Evaluation and Integrated Learning function within DDP in collecting and synthesizing data and reports to support the DDP reporting and knowledge management function.
Specific Responsibilities
The Programme & Communications Specialist will be responsible for, but not necessarily limited to the following:
Communications:
• Oversee the continuous review and implementation of DDP Knowledge Management and Communications Strategy;
• Serving as the point of contact with DFID on media and external communications matters, and as the in-house expert on branding, marking, and positioning of DDP communications materials and deliverables;
• Providing support to the Team Leader, other staff members, grantees and DDP partners on media engagement, deliverables, outreach, communications, and public outreach issues; and
• Establishing and cultivating contacts with Government of Kenya officials at all levels, journalists, and other DFID implementing partners in order to keep apprised of governance and devolution developments and trends, as well as opportunities to promote DDP’s programme objectives;
• Creating snapshots, infographics, success stories, articles, and other outreach materials for external distribution;
• Directly managing communications processes, and consultants in the development of DDP’s communications products;
• Designing and implementing interventions to strengthen targeted media stakeholders;
• Collaborating with other DDP staff and partners to organize, carry out, and report on media interventions;
• Keeping the DDP website updated and an effective platform for engagement with programme stakeholders;
• Any other reasonable tasks as directed by the Team Leader.
Knowledge management
• Promote knowledge sharing through the organization’s operational processes and systems by, among others, strengthening links between knowledge sharing and the information systems, and improving integration among DDP programme functions, to facilitate seamless exchange of information across the program;
• Promote collaborative tools such as activity rooms to facilitate sharing of ideas and work among internal teams and external partners;
• Provide support for the establishment and nurturing of forums where information on programming is shared;
• Share experiences across various departments, beneficiaries on innovative approaches in knowledge sharing, including preparation of case studies;
• Help monitor and evaluate the knowledge sharing program, including external benchmarking and evaluation programs/opportunities;
• Help disseminate information about the organization’s knowledge sharing program to internal and external audiences, including organizing knowledge sharing events (such as knowledge fairs, devolution study groups maintaining communications on knowledge sharing across the organization, and preparation of brochures/presentations.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting:
• Establish seamless ways of working between the Grants and Operations as well as Monitoring, Evaluation and Integrated Learning functions in DDP;
• Collaborating with DDP staff and partners to provide overall support to the DDP learning agenda;
• Support the development of the necessary communications and reporting templates for use by DDP staff and implementing partners;
• Assisting with editing of DDP monthly, quarterly and annual reports;
• Providing internal editorial support to ensure that DDP documents and/or reports are of high quality and comply with the DFID branding requirements;
• Lead the development of knowledge products, including learning papers, case studies and success stories;
• Supporting the DDP Team Leader, Results & Performance Manager, staff and partners on effective methods for presenting or communicating DDP data and results.
Location : The Programme & Communications Specialist will be based in the Nairobi office, with occasional travel to programme implementation sites in Kenya.
Supervision: The Programme & Communications Specialist will report on a regular basis to the DDP Deputy Team Leader.
Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, ICT Management, Journalism, Public Management or related field relevant to the position requirements. A postgraduate degree will be an added advantage.
• At least 10 years’ experience designing and implementing communications and outreach programs for donor-funded development programs;
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a principal liaison across internal departments, the media, and other external stakeholders, as well as government, civil society and private sector leaders;
• Highly developed communication skills (spoken, written and presentational);
• Experience originating, soliciting, writing or editing complex or sensitive materials for distribution in newsletters, infographics, websites and reports;
• Solid understanding of cross-cutting issues such as natural resource management, democracy and governance and public administration.
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely, to work in a fast-changing political environment, to work well under pressure and to handle concurrent projects including organizing media coverage, technical workshops, briefings and interviews.
• Demonstrated ability to update websites, manage social media and cater to diverse stakeholder information needs.
Anticipated start date: As soon as possible
Project duration: 18 July 2016 – 17 January 2020
Project location: Kenya, Nairobi with frequent travel to other countries.
Level of effort: Full time
Deadline for application: 5th April 2017
HOW TO APPLY:
Send your application and CV to Info_DDP@dai.com.