Communications Specialist at TechnoServe

Job Summary:

• Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Program Director (IGNITE), the Communications Specialist will support in developing and implementing a branding, marketing and communications strategy for IGNITE. S/He will support communications activities on the project, including press releases, communication between bilaterally funded projects, etc.
• The Communications Specialist will effectively engage with media, partners, staff members, and other stakeholders; will have excellent written and oral communication skills; and be able to set priorities, efficiently manage time and multiple complex tasks, and work independently.

Program/Practice/Department Overview:

• The Inspiring Good Nutrition Initiatives Through Enterprise (IGNITE) will build on the foundations of the Technical Assistance Accelerator Prelude (TAAP) program to achieve increased motivation and fortification capability of millers leading to increased proportion of fortified staple foods and conversion of a critical mass of millers to improved FF practices across at least eight countries.
• IGNITE will facilitate the activation and expansion of a catalytic collective impact initiative – the Millers 4 Nutrition (M4N) coalition – to globally coordinate and locally implement an ultimately sustainable mode for delivery of technical assistance (TA) and other services to millers. These TA services, and associated engagement platforms, will establish business cases and motivate and develop capabilities of food processors to improve their performance in the fortification of selected staple foods and condiments, and thereby to achieve large-scale and relevant (contributing to the diets of large proportions of populations in countries where staple FF has been identified as part of national nutrition strategies) coverage on a sustained basis. The IGNITE program will be implemented in eight priority countries namely Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan and Tanzania.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Support in the execution of IGNITE’s communications strategy
• Support with the development and editing of marketing documents such as event concept notes, invitations, program 1-pagers, and presentations as needed.
• Support the development of various communications templates for engaging with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the program team in producing reports informed by insights, data, and analysis generated from the above-mentioned range of advocacy and engagement initiatives.
• Contribute to the content that will be housed on the program’s central knowledge hub
• Support with copy editing and graphics design for use in program update presentations and web development platforms
• Assist the IGNITE team with capturing and disseminating stories demonstrating program impact through increased accountability, cross-sectoral collaboration, fostered trust with industry partners and sustainability. (Focusing on key stakeholders such as food processors, input suppliers, development partners, and the public sector).
• Support the Strategic Communication Manager in maintaining a communications calendar with key events, dates, and deadlines throughout the duration of the engagement.
• Support in overseeing all knowledge hub-related sub-agreements and coordinate partner and consultant efforts in digital platform implementation (web developers).
• Review external communications to ensure they are consistent with project messaging, communications guidelines, and donor co-branding rules.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Communication, Mass Communications, English, Marketing, Journalism or other related field with 3 years relevant experience relevant experience in knowledge management, communication methods and approaches in an international development context.
• Alternatively, a Master's Degree in the fields already mentioned including Corporate Communications, Marketing, Nutrition, or other related Social Science field with 1-year relevant experience in knowledge management, communication methods and approaches in an international development context.

Preferred Qualifications:

Additional Qualifications That Would Make a Candidate More Desirable.

• Proficiency with Canva or Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, and Premiere). Graphic design experience is a plus.
• Experience with marketing tools such as Constant Contact, MailChimp, and Salesforce.
• Advanced proficiency with relevant software packages, including Microsoft Excel.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills. Demonstrated ability to capture, synthesize, and present programming and organizational successes and lessons learned.
• Experience in a specific region/country or – Experience working on programs implemented in Nigeria and/or other African geographies
• Sectoral experience – Previous work in development, food processing, nutrition is an advantage

Required Languages: Strong proficiency in English

Travel: Local travel may be required as required by the country program team, but not expected to surpass 30%

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Good understanding of working remotely.
• Strong analytical, program management, and analytical skills
• Demonstrated ability to convey messages through clear and concise methods.