Communication Officer (Internal) – One Position (Addis Ababa)

ABOUT RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE (RTI)

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years of experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 5,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI’s Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI’s experience designing and delivering multi-sectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world.

ABOUT SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio

SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio is working to strengthen agricultural markets, engage youth and women as critical leaders of the on- and off-farm workforce, and tackle the dual burden of malnutrition around the globe. RTI’s work is to help foster stronger food systems, reduce malnutrition in all its forms, build resilience and engage the next generation of food security leaders. RTI is currently partnering on nearly 30 projects in East Africa, including activities focused on private sector-driven agricultural growth in Rwanda and market systems development in Kenya.

ABOUT FIRST CONSULT

First Consult is a leading economic development consulting firm implementing projects in Ethiopia. Founded in 2006, First Consult (FC) has grown to design and implement projects across the agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors. Our multidisciplinary teams combine a capacity to execute with clarity of the local context. As a result, we have delivered at-scale real impact in terms of jobs & wealth creation, business formation & growth, and investment attraction & mobilization.

ABOUT THE PROJECT/PROGRAM

The purpose of the USAID/Ethiopia Food and Agriculture Systems Transformation (FAST) Activity is to increase access to healthy diets, particularly for women and children, by improving competitiveness, inclusiveness, and resilience of the Ethiopian food and agriculture system. FAST will also increase incomes gained from agriculture by as much as 40 percent over the next five years. To achieve its goals FAST must collaborate intensively with other USAID-funded projects working in the food and agriculture sector.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Communication Officer, based at the head office in Addis Ababa, will be responsible for the internal communications activities of the Feed The Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture Activity . S/he will also serve as the communications focal for the Feed The Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture Activity within the First Consult Communications team. In addition to the specific tasks stated below, s/he is expected to conduct  him/herself in a proper manner at all times as a representative of the program and is responsible for the safekeeping and care of all program assets assigned to him/her.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in implementation of the communications strategy of the project to raise public awareness, build demand for local innovations, increase awareness, and raise motivation within local organizations to achieve project goals.
• Support the communication team in collecting, writing, editing and distributing various types of communication contents including photos and videos that show the progress and achievements of the project to the different audiences through different communication channels.
• Manage and update internal communication platforms including the WhatsApp group, quarterly newsletters, etc. to ensure staff and partners are updated on project progresses and impact
• Manage social media platforms of the project, updating regularly with contents including photos and videos
• Assist in developing and regularly updating an annual plan of communication products that covers project deliverables, reports, success stories, blogs, social media and other products.
• Conduct an aggressive media outreach campaign to raise awareness of the project and important activities.
• Assist in providing updates on the progress of communication deliverables against project activities.
• Assist in training staff and partners on USAID branding and marking requirements and ensure they are adhered to.
• Request and obtain signed consent forms for all photo subjects, as well as relevant geotagging.
• Develop other communication tools (newsletters, pamphlets, project briefs, banners) as needed.
• Support the design of special materials, specifically in areas of gender, youth, nutrition, climate-smart agriculture, and environmental management to promote and enhance the program’s impact in these areas.
• Work with sector teams and management in collecting information on client activities to be used for reporting and success stories.
• Work closely with the Communications Manager to provide overall “messaging control” across program activities, particularly with high-profile promotional campaigns that involve working closely with radio, print, and social media sources.
• Ensure all program materials comply with USAID’s branding requirements.
• Produce written, video, audio, photographic, graphic and other forms of outreach campaign products for the communication channels identified (e.g., television, radio, etc.) sometimes by travelling to project sites in Addis Ababa and beyond
• Supervise projects outsourced to communications service providers (visual designers, copywriters, video producers, etc.)
• Document and disseminate results to stakeholders through success stories, case studies, etc
• Draft, review, edit and post social media posts
• Review, edit and proofread communications and written outputs of the project to provide quality assurance
• Help with designing and printing brochures, signage, banners, and technical displays, as required for program events.
• Facilitate and support virtual visits, work closely with contractors, and videographers to assure audiovisual quality and timely virtual visits to USAID and stakeholders.
• Build capacity across teams on branding, marking, snapshots, social media, and mobile photography with training and follow-up.
• Liaison with the MLE team in knowledge management, to organize and create access to staff to all project materials, including reports, success stories, updates, photographs, and videos.
• The Communication Officer will take charge of the Communications team during periods of absence of the Communications Manager.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by the Communication Manager or others

Job requirement

• Bachelor (BA) Degree (MA or higher is a plus) in Communication, Marketing, English literature, business, or relevant Social Science from a recognized University/College.
• At least 3 years of relevant work experience, preferably in USAID-assisted projects.
• Outstanding and effective oral communication and writing skills in English and Amharic additional local language is a plus.
• Strong experience in social media platform content creation, analytics and reporting, such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign and other desktop publishing software.
• Willingness to work and travel in all project areas.
• In-depth familiarity with, understanding of, and ability to successfully navigate within the Ethiopian context preferred;
• Experience in video/ audio editing software such as Adobe Premier or similar.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capacities – ability to identify issues with contractual implications, ensure consistent donor reporting and support teams in providing appropriate analyses of activities.
• Good interpersonal skills and a good team player
• Excellent computer skills; Good proficiency in Microsoft Office – significant experience with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• This position is open to Ethiopian citizens.

REPORTING

The Communication Officer report directly to the Communications Manager

HOW TO APPLY 

First Consult invites all well-qualified candidates to apply. Competent candidates should submit their one-page cover letter and updated CVs only to: jobs@firstconsultet.com before March 28, 2024. Candidates MUST refer to the position title ” Communications Officer ” in the subject line of their email and applications.