Outbox |
Project Communications Lead job Post
Location: Jobs in Uganda 2024 - 2025
Work Hours: Full-time, 08 hours per day
Salary:
UGX
No. of vacancies: 01
Deadline: 14 July 2024
Hiring Organization: Outbox
Job Details:
Job Title: Communications Lead
Reports To: Digital Economy Practice Lead
Contract Type: Fixed-term contract
BACKGROUND
About Outbox:
At Outbox, we assemble the infrastructure, people, knowledge, and capital that supports entrepreneurs through the growth of inclusive communities that foster talent and create value where we operate. We take a deliberate approach to how we support Small and Growing Businesses, by differentiating our programs based on their unique needs, walking the lonely entrepreneurship journey with them, and capturing our learnings for the benefit of the next entrepreneur we might meet.
We have the best learning communities in the startup ecosystem in Uganda and utilize that competency to distribute our expertise beyond our walls. We strongly believe in the potential of technology to provide an unfair advantage to any business when used for good, and as such, focus on supporting digital entrepreneurs first.
Over the last thirteen (13) years, we have brought together the best people, companies, development partners, Government, and knowledge (best practice) for our entrepreneurs to succeed – which is why we believe we are best placed to guide our ecosystem forward. Various partners have trusted us to lead our ecosystem and enabled us to continue our work of ensuring that every young person in Uganda has an opportunity to have dignified work.
About The 10X Digital Economy Program:
Outbox, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, is launching "10X: Enabling the Growth of MSMEs through Digital Economy" program in Uganda. This transformative initiative aims to enhance the wellbeing and resilience of young people in an inclusive digital economy by providing training in digital skills, increasing access to affordable finance for businesses, and supporting youth-led MSMEs in adopting digital practices. The program targets 250,000 young people, with a special focus on women, refugees, and individuals with disabilities.
JOB OVERVIEW
The Communications Lead will ensure effective communication, promotion, marketing, engagement, and involvement both within and outside of the organization to support the goals of the 10X Digital Economy Program. The Communications Lead will spearhead all the project’s internal and external communications and take lead in the coordination of project partners to ensure the effective implementation of communications strategies and media relations for the 10X project over the course of 3 years. The Communications Lead will extend support and create overall alignment between the communications resources in consortium partner organizations, Mastercard Foundation, and Outbox.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the development and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy and program brand guidelines for the 10X program in collaboration with other consortium partners. Ensure that program communications are inclusive of young women, refugees, and persons with disabilities and are in alignment with the project objectives and timelines.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies. Collaborate to set targets, monitor, and report on all tools and platform analytics on all content shared using both digital and traditional tools of marketing.
- In collaboration with the Digital Economy Practice Lead at Outbox, undertake communications budget planning and support with timely requisitions of financial requests.
- Coordinate with the Communications associate(s) on any administrative tasks related to communications and outreach activities for the program’s internal and external events.
- Create and distribute project-related communications, including content for print, web, and social media, newsletters, reports, presentations, and other materials in collaboration with the Outbox Communications Lead and other in-house and consortium partner communications teams.
- Ensure that the Outbox website and all relevant program platforms (website and social media channels) are updated and maintained effectively.
- Write press releases and provide logistical support to communications and advocacy efforts and campaigns, e.g., by supporting the organization of roundtable discussions, press conferences, and other publicity events, and providing inputs to briefing materials and press releases, as necessary.
- In coordination with consortium partner communication focal persons, draft press releases, articles, key messages, and other awareness materials in line with the program outputs. Oversee and support with coordination for approval of communications materials between and within the consortium partners & The Foundation.
- Maintain a centralized repository for project documentation & reference materials and ensure easy access for all team members. Such may include but not be limited to event photos & videos, impact stories, newspaper articles, etc.
- Ensure that all Outbox partners follow the branding guidelines.
- Research, compile, and produce reports on web statistics on a regular basis and carry out electronic surveys to capture insights and feedback.
- Lead the documentation of impact stories in collaboration with consortium Impact Leads and Communication focal persons.
- Organize and lead partner events, meetings, workshops, and training and provide/exchange information with partners, colleagues, and stakeholders.
- Ensure effective knowledge transfer within the team and across consortium partners by documenting processes, best practices, and lessons learned.
- Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to team members that directly report to you. This includes conducting performance evaluations and facilitating professional development opportunities for the project communications team.
- Develop and implement crisis communication plans as needed.
- Act as the primary point of contact for all communication-related issues during a crisis.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SELECTION CRITERIA
Technical Skills:
- Master’s degree in Communications, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in leading the formulation and implementation of internal and external communications and advocacy strategies and related plans.
- Experience in the use of communication tools and cloud-based technologies (e.g., MS Microsoft Office, social media, content management systems, web-based management systems).
- Experience in the use of social media and digital communication platforms.
- Proven skills in the production of communication products in a variety of formats such as publications and videos.
- In-depth knowledge of best writing and messaging practices for business correspondence, public relations, advertising, marketing and sales copy, and social media.
- Ability to draft clearly and concisely, ideas and concepts in written and oral form, specific skill in writing stories, and articles for print and electronic media.
- Proven experience in the management of events and coordination of contributions from partners and stakeholders.
- Professional understanding of crisis management.
- Knowledge of industry best practices in project communication.
- Great project management skills, including time management, goal setting, multitasking, and prioritization.
Social and Human Skills:
- Experience working in fast-changing environments and/or with innovation programs that require intense innovation and brainstorming.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, proactive, self-motivated, and a team player.
- Exceptional communication abilities, including writing, speaking, and active listening.
- Ability to effectively engage with team members of all levels and across departments.
- Problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
- Leadership abilities, including training and mentorship.
- Keen to details, strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
- Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
- Mission focused: The top priority is to create real social change that leads to dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for young people.
- Relationship-oriented: You understand that people come before process and are astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal. Provides exemplary customer service and a strong communicator.
- Brand steward: Understands their role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of Outbox for the greater benefit of the work of intermediaries in the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
- Strong Communication: Can express oneself clearly, concisely, and openly, both orally and in writing and understands, respects, and appreciates the perspectives of others.
- Analytical Thinking: Approaches problems by using a logical, systematic, and sequential approach.
- Results-driven: Dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good. Creating, resourcing, scaling, and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact.
- Humility: Confidently lead without alienating the team, partners, clients, and entrepreneurs we serve. Able to accept constructive criticism and feedback without hesitation.
- Problem Solving/Decision Making: Can accurately assess problems and effectively arrive at solutions and make decisions in a timely manner.
- Leadership: Has the ability to exercise influence in a manner that provides perspective, focus, and inspiration to achieve results.
Application procedure
All interested candidates should submit their application including cover letter, CV, and academic documents via this form no later than 14th July 2024.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis.
Date Posted: 2024-07-04
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