Communication Officer

Project: Management Plan Preparation and Restoration of Selected Wetlands in Rift Valley and Awash Basins (BRIGHT)

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, with frequent travel to project sites.

Duration: One year depending on the continuation of BRIGHT project

Reporting to: Team Leader

Job Purpose:

The Communication Officer will lead the development and implementation of the project’s awareness- raising and communication strategy. This role is vital for disseminating project information, fostering public support, documenting success stories, and ensuring effective communication among all stakeholders.

Reporting Lines:

This role reports to the Team Leader.

Work Relationship:

Internal Context:

• Within Wetlands International Eastern Africa, the holder of this position relates with all staff in the organization.

External Context

• Local and national authorities, Stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities & Detailed Deliverables

Strategy and Material Development (Phase D):

• Develop and implement a multifaceted, culturally appropriate communication and awareness-raising strategy (Task D.4).
• Lead the design, production, and dissemination of tailored communication materials, ensuring they are in accessible language and formats (local dialects).
• Coordinate with technical experts to ensure the accuracy of all content.
• Deliverable: A comprehensive Project Communication Strategy (due by early 2026) and a portfolio of Awareness Raising and Communication materials produced (e.g., 1000 brochures, 200 posters, 500 flyers) disseminated throughout the project life.

Media and Digital Outreach:

• Manage the dissemination of awareness messages through community radio, including scripting and production coordination.
• Lead the documentation of project interventions through photo and video, creating compelling visual stories of change (before, during, and after).
• Manage the project’s presence on digital platforms and social media, creating and sharing regular updates and success stories.
• Deliverables: At least 2 radio broadcasts (one per basin) aired by end of 2026. A series of three- phase photo and short video documentaries for each target wetland, with final versions completed by December 2027. These will be key inputs for the Mid-term Review Report (due December 2026) and Final Project Report (due December 2027).

Event Management and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Lead the organization of public events, including wetland celebrations (e.g., World Wetlands Day) and educational campaigns.
• Support the facilitation of regular stakeholder dialogue platforms and community forums by documenting discussions and sharing outcomes.
• Support youth engagement by assisting with the establishment/strengthening of school environmental/wetland clubs and developing educational content.
• Deliverables: Reports and documentation from 16 public events (2 per site) organized annually. Communication support for quarterly stakeholder forums. Support materials for 8 school environmental clubs.

Knowledge Management and Storytelling:

• Identify, document, and write inspiring stories and case studies from each wetland site, featuring community testimonies and project impacts.
• Package project lessons learned and best practices into accessible formats for wider sharing.
• Ensure all project reports and deliverables are well-written, professionally formatted, and consistent with Wetlands International’s branding.
• Deliverable: A publication of at least 8 inspiring case studies (one per site), finalized by December 2027. Final editing and formatting support for all major project reports.

Key Performance Indicators

• Content Production: 100% of planned communication materials (brochures, posters, etc.) produced and disseminated according to the communication strategy.
• Digital Engagement: Achieve a target of at least 100 social media posts per year, with measurable growth in audience engagement.
• Storytelling: At least 8 high-quality case studies are published and shared on relevant platforms by the project’s end.
• Event Success: Successful organization of 16 planned public events, with positive feedback from participants.
• Media Reach: At least 2 radio broadcasts successfully aired, reaching the target audiences in local languages.

Qualification, Experience & Skills

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Development Studies, or a related field.

Relevant Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in a communication role, preferably for an NGO or in the development sector
• Proven experience in developing and implementing communication strategies and producing a variety of communication materials (print, digital, audio-visual).
• Experience in science communication or communicating complex environmental topics to a general audience is a strong advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in storytelling, case study development, and social media management.

Essential Competencies & Skills

• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills in English.
• Proficiency in graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) and video editing software is highly desirable.
• Strong photography and videography skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with technical experts and community members.
• Creative, proactive, and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Fluency in English and Amharic is required. Knowledge of other local languages is an asset.

Organizational Core competencies

• Professionalism
• Accountability for results
• Integrity and leadership
• Teamwork
• Relationship building
• Communications
• Organization and self-control