Communications Officer

Background

Background

Headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, Speak Up Africa is a Policy and Advocacy Action Tank dedicated to catalyzing leadership, enabling policy change, and increasing awareness for sustainable development in Africa. Through our platforms and relationships and with the help of our partners, we ensure that policy makers meet implementers, that solutions are showcased and that every sector contributes critically to the dialogue and strives to form the blueprints for concrete action for sustainable development – from individual citizens and civil society groups to global donors and business leaders.

Launched in July 2021, Voix EssentiELLES is a Speak Up Africa initiative that aims to strengthen women and girls, in all of their diversity, by meaningfully engaging them in decision-making processes and spaces that influence health policies and programs. Implemented in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal and technically and financially supported by Fondation CHANEL and The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and malaria, Voix EssentiELLES channels small funds through a dedicated fund and invests in the capacities of community-based, grassroots organizations, groups and networks as well as their leaders.

Roles and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Senior Strategic Communication Manager and working in close coordination with the Voix EssentiELLES Coordinator, the Communication Officer shall be responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of the external and internal communication strategies of the Voix EssentiELLES initiative, including through the website, content gathering, voices amplification, champions’ engagement, social media, newsletters, and knowledge management. More specifically, the Communications Officer will:

Strategy development

• Lead the development and implement the Voix EssentiELLES communications strategy and liaise with community-based organizations to amplify their actions online while drafting reports designed for the donors.
• Capitalize and establish lessons learned on internal and external communications.

Traditional and social media engagement

• Identify and secure media opportunities (at national, regional and global level) for Voix EssentiELLES grantees and country stakeholders.
• Draft editorial content (media pieces including blogs, op-eds, interviews and press releases) and adapt for media pitching, web and social media, posting accordingly to respective channels.
• Develop and implement a social media strategy and calendar for the Voix EssentiELLES initiative’s platforms, ensuring growth of audience and engagement and tracking analytics/creating reports detailing successes and failures of online communications campaigns.

E-communications

• Draft, translate and support the design of Voix EssentiELLES’ quarterly newsletters including gathering information (grantee, champions, Speak Up Africa and donor/partners’ updates).
• Develop a strategy and plan of action and animate a Voix EssentiELLES’ WhatsApp Community group.
• Monthly update of the Voix EssentiELLES platform (website).

Champion’s engagement

• Conduct campaigns and advocacy meetings involving grantees on key advocacy days and to support Voix EssentiELLES convenings and amplification.
• Identify Voix EssentiELLES’ champions and develop, track and implement engagement plan for each champion.

Reporting and archiving

• Develop the periodic donor-facing report on the implementation of Voix EssentiELLES communication strategy.
• Update and maintain database with grantees’ profiles and list of key stakeholders’ contacts.
• Coordinate, with the Creative Team, to maintain digital media archives including photos, videos and waivers pertaining to the Voix EssentiELLES initiative.
• Produce bi-monthly communication report highlighting key activations and activities.

 

Commitment to Gender Equality and Safeguarding

Speak Up Africa has a Zero Tolerance approach to all forms of harm and abuse. Speak Up Africa is committed to taking appropriate action against human rights violations and exploitation in all its forms. The welfare and safety of all stakeholders is prioritized in all actions and decisions of Speak Up Africa. Appropriate policies and procedures are in place to ensure this. Only those who share our values and are committed to our Safeguarding Policy shall be considered for recruitment.

Speak Up Africa also promotes efforts on gender equality in line with its strategic directions and institutional values, which are themselves organized around the Sustainable Development Goals

Requested Profile

• A master’s degree in communications, public information, social sciences or related field is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively within a team.
• Strong communication skills and experience working in multidisciplinary and multilingual teams.
• Developed understanding of needs of media and public audiences, preferably with NGO relevant approach.
• Strong organizational, synthesis, reporting and social media skills.
• Outstanding article-writing and editing skills.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) and the usual practice of desktop and electronic communication tools and software.
• Proven technical knowledge of a wide range of multimedia, web and digital tools is required, including MailChimp, SurveyMonkey and Drupal.
• Perfect command of English and French is mandatory.
• The position is based in Dakar, Senegal, with possible travel according to the needs of the projects.

Assessment Process

Please send your applications to info@speakupafrica.org and codou.sy@speakupafrica.org, including a cover letter, your CV and 3 references. The closing date for applications is July 15, 2024. Kindly specify the title of the position in the email subject line. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.