Project SUMMARY

The CAtalyzing Strengthened policy aCtion for heAlthy Diets and resiliencE (CASCADE) is a EURO 60 million project funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented across six countries: Uganda, Nigeria, Benin, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Mozambique. The overall goal of CASCADE is to improve food security and contribute to the reduction of malnutrition of at least 5 million women of reproductive age and children under 5.  In Uganda, the project is implemented across four regions (Karamoja, Northern, Southwestern, Eastern) through a CARE-led consortium including GAIN, Food Rights Alliance, Africa Innovations Institute, and Kyambogo University.  The project works with government, business, and communities to foster an enabling environment for nutrition actions by advocating for increased investments in nutrition and effective implementation of Uganda’s nutrition policy aspirations.

Job SUMMARY

This role will focus on providing support to the CASCADE project in the implementation of its joint communication and advocacy agenda. The Communications officer will facilitate processes that ensure the CASCADE consortium aligns their communication and advocacy efforts and strengthen each other’s messages toward the achievement of a common consortium goal targeting the different project stakeholder groups.

  SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications and Branding (40%)

·        Work closely with the CASCADE project team including subject matter experts (technical advisors) to ensure relevant project products and resources such as case studies, position documents, policy and issue briefs, annual & donor reports, factsheets, and infographics including related resources are developed and disseminated to the project target audiences through relevant media and network channels.

·        Oversee the development of high-quality communication and advocacy reporting materials such as periodicals, briefing notes, Human Interest Stories, picture stories, and videos, Flyers, Presentations, Blogposts, speeches, Newsletter, Media Releases, Banners, and multimedia Content aligned to CASCADE activities. by partners and the entire consortium in line with CARE/CASCADE’s Branding standards and guidelines.  

·        Maintain a repository of the project’s digital media archives including photos and videos and project documents.

·        Conduct capacity building for the CASCADE consortium on communication, project branding, and related corporate communications-focused areas.

Events management (25%)

• Take leadership in planning and organizing events and outreaches, and project meetings in line with CARE’s strategic focus.
• Work with the technical staff to carry out effective documentation and communication, dissemination of advocacy messages, and learning.
• Participate in project activities to ensure integration of documentation and communication.

Administrative Support (15%)

·        With the Consortium Manager, Plan meetings alongside setting meeting agenda and take detailed minutes.

·        Organize and manage meeting logistics including registration of participants.

·        Compile information using standardized forms, procedures, or specific instructions and enter information into spreadsheets and databases as guided.

·        Create records by posting general program/event activity on established forms, files, and other record-keeping devices.

·        Generate reports from the automated systems used.

Media Engagement (15%)

·        In liaison with CARE communications specialist and Consortium Manager CASCADE, act as a focal person for CASCADE media inquiries.

• Develop and maintain contact information, materials, and relationships with journalists and media outlets (traditional and social media), to increase coverage of project-focused nutrition issues in the media.
• Collaborate with the media by organizing project site visits, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage, and collaborating with the consortium to utilize both web-based and traditional media as appropriate.
• Monitor and evaluate the effective use of media materials as well as maintain a library of media coverage, and clippings among other related resources.

Gender Equity and Diversity & Safeguarding Practices (5%)

·        Practice a behavior that is consistent with CARE’s core values, and promotion of gender equity and diversity goals.

·        Identifies and implements initiatives that enhance CARE’s commitment to gender and diversity.

·        Ensure that CARE Safeguarding policies and procedures are adhered to by all and the staff that S/he supervisors both directly and indirectly.

Any other duties assigned from time to time by the supervisor.

WHAT DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE

Education

·        Bachelor's degree in communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field.

Skills

Personal specifications

·         Excellent organizational skills and ability to determine priorities and meet multiple deadlines.

·        Able to work well both within a team and independently, in a challenging and fast-moving multicultural environment.

·        Ability to work under pressure, long work hours, and high workload.

·        Ability to independently organize work and prioritize tasks.

·        Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual

Core competencies

·        A minimum of three (3) years experience in a communications and advocacy role.

·        Proven experience in knowledge sharing and events management.

·        Understanding of communications, public relations, and marketing best practices.

·        Previous experience with still photography, videography, and story writing

·        Excellent communication and public relations skills with strong English language capability (written and oral) and the ability to clearly communicate complex ideas and principles.

·        Previous experience in coordinating donor visits, high-level events is highly preferred.