Communication Specialist at Centre for Community Development and Research Network (CCDRN)

Job Description

• The Communication Specialist ensures the coherent, timely and audience-centred communication of CCDRN’s humanitarian, peace-building and development work. 
• He/she adapts national communication strategies to the BAY context, produces compelling content, strengthens CCDRN’s public image, and supports programme teams and partners to tell impactful stories.

Responsibilities
Context-Specific Communication Strategy:

• Localise CCDRN’s corporate communication strategy for the BAY states, defining objectives, priority audiences, channels, timelines and KPIs.
• Provide the Head of Programmes with regular briefs on communication trends, risks and opportunities specific to Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
• Integrate communication components into state-level project designs, workplans and budgets.

Planning & Coordination:

• Develop and maintain an annual BAY-state communication workplan and social-media calendar.
• Coordinate closely with field teams to schedule coverage of key activities, beneficiary stories and milestones.
• Liaise with the HQ team to ensure alignment of messages, branding and approvals.

Content Production & Quality Control:

• Lead on gathering, drafting and editing high-quality content—photos, videos, human-interest stories, press releases, briefs and donor materials—from field locations.
• Ensure all outputs are accurate, conflict-sensitive, gender-responsive and compliant with CCDRN’s visual identity guidelines.
• Maintain a well-organised digital asset library (photos, footage, consent forms).

Media & External Relations:

• Map and cultivate relationships with local journalists, radio stations, online influencers and community information hubs.
• Arrange press visits, prepare talking points for spokespeople and track media coverage touching on CCDRN or its thematic areas.
• Support advocacy and partnership events that raise CCDRN’s visibility across the BAY states.

Capacity Strengthening:

• Coach project staff, community volunteers and partners on basic photography, story gathering, social-media engagement and safe communication practices.
• Deliver at least two tailored trainings per year and provide ongoing on-the-job mentoring.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting:

• Set and track state-level communication indicators (reach, engagement, sentiment, media hits).
• Submit a concise monthly dashboard and narrative to the SMT, highlighting achievements, challenges and recommendations.
• Conduct semi-annual content audits to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Administration & Compliance:

• Guide field teams on the correct donor-branding application and obtain all necessary approvals before dissemination.
• Oversee small communication budgets, ensuring cost-effective procurement of design, printing or multimedia services.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the SMT to advance CCDRN’s objectives in the BAY states.

Requirements

• Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree plus additional relevant certifications in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field.
• Minimum 4 years of progressively responsible communication experience, including at least 2 years in humanitarian or development settings.
• Demonstrated ability to craft and implement communication plans and create multimedia content under tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and spoken English; working knowledge of Hausa or Kanuri is a strong asset.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign/Illustrator/Premiere Pro) and social-media management/analytics tools.
• Experience mentoring colleagues and organising training.
• Willingness to travel frequently to hard-to-reach LGAs within Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.