Helen Keller International

Job Announcement

Communication Officer

Job Type: Full time

Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Start Date: 15th September, 2022

End Date: Annual contract (renewable)

Reports to: Program Director/Country Director

Open to Expatriates: No

Grade: H/I

Introduction

Guided by the remarkable legacy of its co-founder, Helen Keller, Helen Keller Intl partners with communities that are striving to overcome longstanding cycles of poverty. By delivering the essential building blocks of good health, sound nutrition and clear vision, we help millions of people create lasting change in their own lives. Working in more than 20 countries – across Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States – and together with a global community of supporters, we are ensuring every person has the opportunity – as Helen did – to reach their true potential.

Helen Keller has been operating in Sierra Leone for nearly 20 years in support of the nutrition and neglected tropical disease components of the National Health Development Plan of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, as well as food security component of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Scope of Work

The Communication Officer will support Helen Keller’s internal and external communication work in Sierra Leone through communication material creation, dissemination, and event coordination. The post holder will work very closely with all programs in country, the regional office, and the global team to ensure there is compliance to both donor and internal guidelines and expectations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Communication Strategy

• Develop, implement, and manage a communication and advocacy plan for the Sierra Leone country office.
• Integrate gender equality and women’s empowerment in all activities related to communication, advocacy and branding.
• Promote communication and advocacy through appropriate channels.

Content Development

• Lead the content development, editing, production, and dissemination of communication and advocacy materials for programs and country office.
• Actively take part in field activities to collect case studies and success stories.
• Partner with the global Marketing and Communications team to develop stories of impact for website, social media, donor communication, media, etc.
• Provide support to all programs to boost visibility and awareness, including identification of key stories, content, lessons learned, and outcomes.
• Compile media coverage press package for programs as deemed necessary.

• Ensure that all branding and communication materials align with Helen Keller Intl global standards.
• Ensure compliance with donor branding guidelines for all related program materials.
• Represent Sierra Leone in the Communications Community of Practice and disseminate learnings to country office staff.

Community Management

• Maintain and update all social media accounts.
• Ensure proper documentation of events, meetings, and trainings.

Videography and Photography

• Manage the video production calendar of program activities from concept development to final delivery of all content videos.
• Responsible for tracking/reporting of video milestones and progress.
• Identify and coordinate external operational needs, such as booking vendors, hiring casts, and securing locations, if needed.
• Coordinate with Digital Marketing Manager to ensure photo and video assets are added to Helen Keller’s global media repository.

Qualification and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in communications or any other related field like journalism and/or advocacy.
• At least 3 years of proven experience in a communications role.
• Demonstrated knowledge in graphic design, videography, and photography will be added advantage.
• Must be able to work in a dynamic and complex environment.
• Ability to carry out responsibilities independently with minimal guidance.
• Must be able and willing to work in a diverse office in terms of language, culture, etc.
• Proven experience in research, analysis and publication an added advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal English language skills.

Interested candidates should send a detailed CV, Application letter stating clearly on the subject line of your email “Application for Communication Officer”, names and contacts of three references, a daytime telephone/mobile contact to HR/Administration Manager, 22 New Signal Hill Road, Congo Cross, Freetown or email to SierraLeone.Recruitment@hki.org by the close of business on 22nd August 2022.

Helen Keller International is an Equal Opportunity Employer, promoting gender, equity and diversity.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of HKI’s vision, and we encourage people from all backgrounds, especially women, to apply.