Communications /Public Relations Jobs at Agency for Cooperation in Research and Development-Uganda (ACORD-U among others

Deadline of this Job: 04 November 2022  
JOB DETAILS:
Job Summary:
The Communications officer will be responsible for creating and implementing a communications strategy for the organisation and the Activity. The Officer will provide technical support and advice on visibility and communication.
The Officer will provide specific communication support to the OVC West Central Activity and advise ACORD Uganda on matters of adherence and compliance to USAID communication, Marking and Branding Policy. The Officer will liaise with and support the Communications focal point at the ACORD Secretariat. The Officer will work with the program team and will report to the Chief of Party with dotted reporting relationship with the Director of Programmes.

Key Responsibilities:
Policies

• Ensure compliance to all ACORD Uganda and Government of Uganda policies, procedures and guidelines that relate to the implementation of the programme.
• Ensure compliance to all USAID Communication, Branding and Visibility requirements
• Ensure implementation of OVC West Central Activity Communications, Branding and Marking Plan and Strategy Communication, visibility and documentation
• Participate in the Design and Development of the communication strategy for the USAID OVC West Central Activity in line with the USAID policies.
• Undertake and coordinate the awareness and dissemination of project implementation proceedings and key events through blogs, newspaper articles, radio talk shows, website and social media platforms like Facebook and twitter
• Ensure publicity and visibility of the USAID funded project and other ACORD Uganda work at large
• Support communications in sourcing for marketing/fundraising materials in form of stories, photographs and videos
• Coordinate the process of identifying, documentation and dissemination of most significant change stories, and promising best practices using multimedia platforms
• Support in promoting USAID OVC West Central Activity’s visibility including the use of social media marketing among others.
• Support any ongoing documentation processes and initiate new ones.
• Facilitate any internal and external documentation processes including planning, coordination and getting relevant approvals. Advocacy and lobbying, research
• Participate in the planning and organisation of conferences, meetings, dialogues
• Represent the organisation at different foras where called upon to do so. • Develop effective relationships with programme partners and other stakeholders, including government actors.
• Take active part in the strategic planning processes of the Uganda Area Programme • Monitor communication trends and advise the organisation accordingly. Reporting and Documentation
• Support the ACORD Uganda including the OVC West Central Activity Programming team in documenting lessons and best practices, and ensure that these are ultimately packaged and disseminated in relevant platforms using the most advanced channels.
• Develop relevant communication materials (newsletter, posters and leaflets) for ACORD’s projects and ensure consistency and adherence to standards.
• Ensure the Chief of Party, Country Director and Director of Programs are kept abreast of all activities designated to the Job responsibility and any difficulties that may arise, through regular briefing and meetings.
• Ensure project reporting (internal and external) is completed in a timely and accurate manner

Qualifications, Experience and other Requirements:
• Degree in Mass Communication/ Journalism, Social sciences or any field related to development. A master’s degree in a relevant field is an added advantage.
• Knowledge of OVC programming is an important aspect and an added advantage
• Skilled in working in a digital environment, personal computing, email and other general office productivity software and other programs related to Communication.
• Excellent communication and public relations skills with strong English language capability (written and oral) and ability to clearly communicate complex ideas and principles required
• Proven experience developing communication material for a diverse audience
• Experience working on an USAID PEPFAR funded projects is an added advantage
• Experience working with non-governmental organizations on similar tasks
• Experience working with vulnerable communities
• Experience using social media for communication (i.e. blogs, Twitter, Facebook)
• Strong research, analysis, M&E and advocacy skills.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines and multi-task in a fast-paced working environment.
• Highly motivated, flexible and committed to teamwork and desire to work with diverse categories of people.
• Ability to influence and adapt to different stakeholders, internally and externally.

Personal Skills
• Strong documentation, research, analysis, M&E and advocacy skills.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines and multi-task in a fast-paced working environment.
• Highly motivated, flexible and committed to teamwork and desire to work with diverse categories of people.
• Solution and Result-oriented
• Verbal and written communication skills; both internally and externally.
• Analytical skills;
• Presentation skills;
• Ability to work under pressure and to work with multiple agendas.


Deadline of this Job: 27 November 2022
JOB DETAILS:
Under the overall guidance of the CEO, General Manager and direct supervision of the Sales and Marketing Manager, the Marketing and Communication Officer is responsible and accountable for tasks including, but not limited to:

Duties and Responsibilities
Marketing Role

• Promote, sale/market company products, services and brand to deliver on set targets
• Plan, prepare and manage the publication and distribution of publicity materials
• Organize, support and implement a calendar of marketing events, such as dinners, promotions, exhibitions, product launches, workshops, open days or fundraising activities
• Represent the company in activities mentioned in 3.2.1 ii above as approved by the management or direct supervisor;
• Undertake market research, develop and implement most effective strategies to reach out the target groups/markets;
• Develop/review marketing material/information for use in different channels
• Design, develop and manage the company’s CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system;
• Coordinate with other stakeholders to develop and enhance the efficiency of the company’s marketing systems (prints and media),
• Analyze the impact of marketing campaigns, events or interventions and prepare measurement reports for use by the company.
• Account for all company resources, including but not limited to: sales income, stock and imprest/advances in line with established Company standards;
• Support production and finance in developing cashflows, business plans and business risks mitigation measures arising from marketing and communication units.
• Train and supervise Hatches ltd staff to ensure compliancy with established procedures
• Preparation and production of regular report as will be required;

Communication Role
• Develop, and review marketing & communications materials, including but not limited to: press releases, blog posts and social media content,
• Promote communications & marketing contents through appropriate print and media/social channels,
• Track analytics and create reports to support M&E for company marketing and communication interventions;
• Align all communications & marketing material & activities to the company’s brand, standards and national laws;
• Manage/maintain digital media archives including but not limited to: photos and videos,
• Work with communications team members to conceptualize and implement communications strategies and campaigns,
• Respond to media and other inquiries and implement media outreach programs to achieve brand placement in publications and other forum;
• Develop escalation protocols for managing communication crises, should they arise, ,

Competencies and Aptitude
Corporate Aptitudes

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the Hatches ltd values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of Hatches ltd
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Commitment to the principles and philosophy of the company and partners as well as government regulations and requirements.

Interpersonal Aptitudes
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive issues of confidential nature with tact and professionalism.
• Ability to collaborate with others to achieve agreed results and outcomes.
• Ability to work independently and as an effective team member.
• The ability to gain cooperation and assistance with clients, partners, the general public as well as employees.
• Ability to prepare coherent, logical and comprehendible correspondence and reports as required.

Functional Competencies:
• Organizes and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources and multiple reporting relationships
• Plans, coordinates and organizes workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and competing deadlines
• Establishes, builds and maintains effective working relationships with staff and clients to facilitate the provision of support.

Special Knowledge And Skills:
The following knowledge and skills are required to be utilized:
• In-depth knowledge of Marketing, Sales and Communication industry and principals
• Excellent knowledge of market, customer, and documentation.
• Excellent knowledge of payment and account management systems, bank procedures, processes and documentation critical for the marketing functions;
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral): Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all stakeholders,
• Respectful and helpful relations with company, clients, partners and company staff.
• Ability to lead implementation of new systems, and affect staff and customers behavioral/ attitudinal change

Qualifications And Experience:
The following qualifications and experience are required for this position:
• BSc/BA/Diploma in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Prior experience as a Marketing Officer or a related role for 3 years.
• Solid understanding of marketing techniques and principles as well as market research and statistical data analysis methods.
• Knowledge of MS Office and marketing software (e.g. CRM, Dynamics, Excel).
• In-depth knowledge of social media and web analytics.
• Exemplary organizational and multitasking skills.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
• Creativity and commercial awareness.
• Strategic vision and sharp business acumen.
• Copywriting and graphic/digital design experience preferred.
• A team player with a customer-oriented approach.


Deadline of this Job: 04 November 2022
JOB DETAILS:
The Government of Uganda (GoU) has received a loan from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) towards financing a ten-year National Oil Seeds Project (NOSP).
The Project is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) as the Lead Project Agency, in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government(MoLG) other agencies, the private sector and farmer Organizations. The Project will be implemented in six area-based hubs: West Nile, Gulu, Lira, Karamoja, East and Mid-Western Uganda.
The project goal of the NOSP is: 'inclusive rural transformation through sustainable development of the oilseeds sector, while the Programme Development Objective is to 'to accelerate commercialization in key oilseeds value chains and thereby improve the livelihoods and resilience of the smallholders engaged in oilseed production and marketing
According to the Financing Agreement with IFAD, MAAIF is expected to set up a Project Coordination Unit (PCU) for the day-to-day management and implementation of the NOSP.
Applications are therefore, invited from suitably qualified and experienced Ugandans to apply for the following positions existing in the National Oil Seeds Project Coordination Unit

Post : Communication and Knowledge Management Officer
Reports to: M&E and Learning Specialist
Duty Station: Lira
Contract Duration: Two-year contract, with six months probation period, renewable based on satisfactory performance against agreed targets and deliverables

Job purpose:
Working closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, the Communications and Knowledge Management Officer will lead the development, implementation evaluation and continued improvement of communication and knowledge management initiatives during the implementation of the Project

Main duties and responsibilities:
The Communication and Knowledge Management Officer's duties and responsibilities will include the following:
• Conduct the research, including stakeholder analysis and needs assessment, and use the survey results to develop and implement creative communication strategy for NOSP.
• Prepare the Knowledge Management Strategy for NOSP
• Continuously review and improve the Project communication strategies and materials to ensure effectiveness.
• Develop and manage an annual production cycle of communication materials including campaigns and information materials to support awareness raising, sensitization and key messages (stories, videos, photos etc.) about the Project and articulate them in ways appropriate to the key stakeholders' target audiences.
• Provide functional direction to special events in particular with reference to activities in the oilseeds sector, such as product launch, the commissioning of works with special emphasis on effective use of the media.
• Prepare user-friendly information sheets that detail key facts and figures about oil seeds development.
• Liaise with MAAIF communication unit staff and advise PCU staff on media engagement.
• Synthesize reports and write thematic case studies, lessons learned and stories about successes emerging from NOSP implementation; package them and ensure that they are shared within the country, with Government and other development partners in and outside Uganda.
• Support the oil seeds policy development process, develop and package targeted policy products as required, and ensure that key stakeholders at different levels are fully informed as to the issues in question.
• Ensure that systematic learning and knowledge management are fully embedded in Project management and implementation.
• Design and implement training activities for Project staff, government partners and other project stakeholders, as required, on KM and communication approaches, methods and tools.
• Develop and implement mechanisms to encourage individuals, organizations and functional networks to share their experiences for mutual learning.
• Carry out other duties related to the Project's activities, as may be assigned by the M&E and Learning Specialist.

Minimum academic Qualifications
• Applicants should be Ugandans holding an Honours Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication, Marketing, Journalism or a related discipline
• A minimum of a post graduate Diploma in any of the above fields from a recognised University Institution is of added advantage.

Working experience:
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in communications in the rural development sector.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing successful communication for sustainable development;
• Experience in the sphere of rural development project management and implementation, in particular a good basic knowledge of project M&E systems, will be a distinct advantage;
• Experience in, or solid understanding of, use of modern information and communication technology: print, broadcast media/interactive digital media in agriculture and rural development
• Experience in building relationships with journalists, handling enquiries, pitching features and conducting interviews;