Communications Manager at TechnoServe

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Country Director, the Communications Manager will lead and implement key communications initiatives for various projects across TechnoServe’s Nigeria platform. This role’s primary responsibility will be developing and advancing the communications strategy for the Plastics Recycling Program in Nigeria (PreP), a circular economy initiative that engages  a wide network of partners, beneficiaries, and public and private sector audiences. The role will also support communications for several additional projects in the agri-food and entrepreneurship sectors. Across this portfolio, the Communications Manager will effectively engage with media, partners, staff members, and other stakeholders. This role requires excellent written and oral communications skills, the ability to set priorities, efficiently manage time and multiple complex tasks, and work independently.

Country and Program Overview:

TechnoServe brings more than a decade of experience designing and implementing market-led interventions in Nigeria to address the country’s development challenges. Working in most of Nigeria’s 36 states, TechnoServe is partnering with a variety of public and private funders in agriculture and enterprise development.

Nigeria’s 200 million population generates an estimated 32 million metric tons of waste annually, with plastic accounting for 2.5 million metric tons. In 2024, TechnoServe and the Coca-Cola Foundation launched the Plastics Recycling Program in Southern Nigeria (PReP) program in Lagos and Anambra. Building on the successes of PReP, the project is expanding to PReP 2.0, now encompassing an additional location: Kano State. The objective of the project is to reduce plastic waste by increasing the volume and quality of recycled PET plastics. This objective will be achieved through inclusive, market-driven interventions along the value chain and an enabling environment that will improve the competitiveness, sustainability, and profitability of collectors, aggregators, and recyclers. 

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of PRePs integrated communications strategy with support from the TechnoServe global communications department and the project's leadership team.
• Produce high-quality content for print and online channels, including articles, press releases, human-interest stories, blogs, case studies, and social media, fact sheets, and other materials.
• Coordinate with appropriate media outlets to obtain news coverage.
• Provide design and creative services support.
• Plan and coordinate key project events and develop materials for them.
• Support the development of project presentations, videos, and training materials.
• Coordinate with HQ to develop and maintain project communication materials, including contributing to the digital assets management system.
• Review external communications to ensure they are consistent with project messaging and communications guidelines and donor co-branding rules.
• Develop staff capacity and coordinate with field staff to collect success stories and photos.
• Support project staff and project contractors/vendors to produce high-quality communications materials consistent with project-specific identity and communications guidelines.
• Identify key milestones and opportunities to share achievements and learnings at a global level, in collaboration with TechnoServe's global communications team.
• Support project reporting and translation, as needed.
• Build and maintain an appropriate, collaborative working relationship with primary donor counterparts
• Other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree + 7 years relevant experience in PR, journalism, communications or marketing OR Master’s Degree + 5 years relevant work experience
• Superior writing skills, including ability to synthesize research materials into simple, clear language

Required Languages: Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills, including fluency in English. Knowledge of local languages is a plus.

Travel: Travel up to 60%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Solid understanding of the local media landscape in Nigeria and major international development businesses.
• Experience with CMS, such as WordPress.
• Deep interest in, and knowledge of, international development, the circular economy, and/or international business
• Knowledge of and appreciation for TechnoServe’s mission and solutions

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• People and project management skills
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office tools
• Video production and/or photography experience, familiarity with Canva, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator a plus.