Communications Director at Northern Rangelands Trust

Job Purpose:

NRT is looking for a highly skilled person to join its Fundraising and Partnerships Department to support achievement of the overall aim of the communication program as guided by the NRT Communications Strategy. This position is responsible to proactively identify, manage team members and execute NRT communications programs. This position will advance NRT’s brand and visibility with external partnerships (inclusive of communities, government and donor stakeholders), in line with the NRT Strategic Plan 2024-2028 and the 2050 Vision.

NRT is looking for a dynamic and experienced individual to provide strategic communication and public relations leadership to a growing organisation. The Communications Director will oversee a team of content creators with the overall purpose to guide the implementation of high quality communications and marketing materials, inclusive of annual reports, impact reports, quarterly reports, presentation of donor materials, outreach and engagement materials, general event materials, social media stories/reels/posts, etc.

The Communications Director is responsible for building and maintaining a positive profile for NRT’s work through impactful media and outreach across key external online and offline communications channels; developing compelling stories and events that reinforce NRT’s brand, while ensuring regular and efficient sharing and exchange of information through effective internal communications.

The success of strengthened strategic communications within NRT will be measured in terms of the organization’s brand and profile, deepened engagement and support of key stakeholders, and the ability of the orgranisation to mobilize resources and increase impact.

The Key focus of this position will be:

Ensure strategic and effective communications, helping to oversee the development and implementation of the NRT’s communications strategy and its alignment with NRT’s Strategic Plan; and to shape organizational communications priorities and improve our branding, messaging and public positioning.

Lead on all aspects of communication and public relations management within NRT, as well as playing a key role in supporting partnership building that increases delivery and impact across NRT supported community conservancies in northern and coastal Kenya and Uganda.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Strategy: Lead and manage the delivery and review of internal and external communications and public  relations strategy that support NRT’s Strategic Plan and Fundraising strategy; illustrating the conservation and development issues and successes of communities.
• Work Planning: Lead the development of communications work plans which outline key activities for implementation that support NRT’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, Fundraising, Programme and Communications strategies. This also includes developing and managing the communications budget to ensure prioritization of key strategies that achieve value for money.
• Digital and staff management: Develop and coordinate the creation of content for various channels including management of the website, social media channels and production of regular and incisive blogs
• Products: Work with colleagues to produce and commission, as appropriate, editorials, features, advertisements, brochures, fact sheets, briefings, position papers, news stories, etc. on NRT strategic goals; and research and commission visuals, videos, photographs, and other footage as necessary. Oversee the timely development and distribution of quality organisation flagship reports and publications such as the biennial State of Conservancies Report. Ensure brand identity and standards across all.
• Media/Public Relations: Build and maintain relationships with journalists, media outlets, and influencers.
• Handle media inquiries and manage press releases, news conferences, and other media events. Support Communications staff to develop and maintain positive working relationships with targeted online, print and broadcast journalists, editorial writers and columnists, as well as other media staff. This includes supporting well-executed media strategies and activities, including press conferences, one-to-one briefings, press releases, and other written materials.
• Crisis Communication: Develop and execute crisis communication plans to manage and mitigate the impact of negative publicity or organizational crises.
• Campaigns and Event Management: Conceive, develop and lead groundbreaking communications and advocacy campaigns, projects and events to help achieve our community conservation goals and influence county and national government. Oversee the promotion of events through various channels to ensure maximum visibility and engagement.
• Budget Management: Manage the communication budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources for various campaigns and initiatives. Oversee relationships with external vendors, such as PR agencies, graphic designers, external content creators, ensuring quality and budget adherence. Internal Communications: Support in the development of internal business/information sharing platforms (Microsoft TEAMS, etc.) for effective internal communication to build and maintain NRT’s internal communication network and secure internal buy-in for NRT’s programmes and generate maximum participation and support within the organization. Additionally, oversee internal communication initiatives to keep staff informed and engaged, including newsletters, intranet updates, and internal announcements.
• Partnerships: Support the efforts around fundraising and technical implementation by executing external communications for targeted existing and prospective partners, in line with agreed engagement strategies.
• Help shape effective engagement strategies for targeted audiences, drawing on market research and best practice, in collaboration with programmes and fundraising colleagues.
• Reporting: Prepare progress reports, track NRT’s media presence, and analyse and report on the frequency and quality of coverage on a timely basis.
• Assessment: Review existing communications capacity and assets and related communications outputs with the aim to identify available resources and expertise and gaps in NRT Communications assets and needs.
• Identify a group of NRT spokespersons - at the Council of Elders (COE) and Board levels, at conservancy level, partner level, and within NRT senior staff - and support them through provision of regular briefings, Q&As, fact sheets, and message development.

Knowledge, experience, and qualifications required:

Academic & Professional Qualifications:

• Masters degree in the relevant field.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, Corporate Communication, Mass Communication and Journalism or other relevant filed from a university recognized in Kenya.
• Over 10 years experience in practical communications management across a broad geography.
• A strong technical background in areas related to communications-conservation.
• Experience working with government, donors, NGOs in the development and conservation space
• Experience in online marketing and communication strategy development; fluency in social media platforms to drive engagement;
• A personal style that inspires trust, team work, professionalism, cooperation and passion for NRT’s mission.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, and ability to develop effective partnerships.
• Experience writing, editing, and proofreading printed or online content for diverse audiences.
• Experience using social media as a professional communications tool.
• Experience working with conservancies, peace and security, human-wildlife co-existence and/or carbon projects
• Fluency in English and Swahili required, both verbal and written, a foreign language is added advantage.
• Experience in working with people from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating respect for, and understanding of cultural differences.

Technical & Behavioral competences:

• Sound analytical skills
• Honesty and professional integrity
• Ability to work in challenging environment and deliver on tight timelines
• Excellent interpersonal, networking, negotiation, and facilitation skills
• Budgeting and financial management of team activities and priority setting
• Ability to take initiative and work independently
• Willingness to live relatively remotely and to be able to travel for extended periods within Kenya, including camping (where relevant) within NRT member conservancies.