Communications Officer (Re-advertised)- Food for the Hungry

Food for the Hungry (FH/U) is a Christian international relief and development organization currently operating programs in Asia, Latin America and Africa with support offices in the UK, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, United States of America and Japan. In Uganda since 1989, FH is operational in the Districts of Adjumani, Kitgum, Lamwo, Kole, Kween, Mbale, Namutumba and Amudat implementing programs in four main sectors of Education; Food Security and Livelihoods; Health/Nutrition and Disaster Risk Reduction; with the Head office located in Kampala. FH’s primary goal is to end all forms of poverty World-wide.

Job Summary

The successful Communication Officer will provide technical support to the Programs and Business Development department in designing Food for the Hungry publications and contributes to the development and improvement of the design, branding and layout of materials produced by Food for the Hungry. S/he will ensure that communications products and reports are following Food for the Hungry branding guidelines, provide the best possible functionality and usability to Food for Hungry partners and contribute to the overall branding process, Build Capacity of FH staff in media engagement and communication and Assist FH wide public relations and media risk management.

The position bearer supports different departments and projects across the organization by designing high quality visual content including branding for events, information communication and education (IEC) material, flyers, magazines, newsletters, formal letters and annual reports among others. All these are done in consistency with Food for the Hungry Branding, communication and media engagement guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Key Result #1; Support FHU portfolio on documentation and visibility efforts 40%

• Support the program team in quality preparation of Country Office Annual report, based on project results
• Coordinate with different programme managers to strengthen FH brand identity by developing communication products that include digital media, reports, publications, flyers, posters, etc
• Design and lay-out of reports and other brand IEC products
• Create concepts and ideas to visually communicate FH brand and goals.
• Support in collecting articles, stories, photos for the production of the FH newsletter and Calendars.
• Update FH Uganda fh-connect page, ensuring it is regularly updated with latest materials, information on projects and events.
• Partner with in-house communications team to design concepts for campaigns, events and other special projects that require media engagements.
• Engage in internal communications activities for broad exposure of the organization.

Key Result #2; Support Key Program Information Management 25%

• Support programs to produce FH portfolio overview (summary of all grants with key results of the grants) and circulate on a quarterly basis;
• Review specific project and FH Uganda annual reports before Management approval.
• Support Programs maintain FH geographic portfolio mapping that captures the geographic presence of each project.
• Support program documentation of all active grants, proposals, MEAL documents ensuring easy “irretrievability” when needed;
• Ensure Knowledge Management of project closure is implemented by collecting, reviewing, refining and archiving Past Performance Templates of closing projects;
• Support Business development in taking Departmental Minutes, prove reading concepts, proposals, MOU, Partners teaming agreements, official letters etc.

Key Result #3; Media Relations Risk management and FH wide Communication 15%.

• Monitor news media coverage of FH and humanitarian issues regarding the Uganda Crisis.
• Identify and help respond to any reputation risk issues.
• Support translation of key documents including press release and speeches .
• Provide information to the local media (if appropriate).
• Provide social media content to the partnership as required.
• Ensure risk is reported as per FH global protocols and channels.
• Perform other communication duties assigned by the line manager.
• Support in organizing Donor Visits and documentation for marketing and resource mobilization.
• Work in collaboration with the Business Development Manager to prepare VIP visits and editing Content such as the Country Director’s speech, Management letters, reports etc.
• Communicate internally to FH staff to organize key events, document pitch stories as and when will be required.

Key Result #4; Build Capacity of FH Uganda staff on Documentation and Media engagement.10%.

• Conduct orientation to all FH staff on Communication.
• Lead in rolling out of the communication and media engagement guideline and promote compliance.
• Train FH Uganda staff in effective communication, documentation of significant change story, taking quality photos and Video clips.
• Train Management on media risk and presentation.

Job Requirements:
Qualifications: Education/Knowledge/Technical Skills and Experience

• University degree in Mass Communications or Journalism, additional qualification in administrative law is an added advantage.
• A minimum of at least three years’ experience in a similar role with an NGO is a Must.
• Experience in graphic design and use of graphic design software a must.
• You need to know how to use Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe in Design, Adobe Photoshop at an advanced level.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently.
• Innovativeness and willingness to learn.
• Experience in and adequate knowledge of photography and videography is a plus;
• Website management knowledge would be an added advantage;
• Committed to FH’s mission and vision and values, and particularly to Gender Equity and Diversity;
• Excellent interpersonal and public relation skills.

Note: This Position will be hired on a rolling basis

PROTECTION AND SECURITY CLAUSE.

FH strives to provide an environment free from Sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment and Fraud in all places where relief and development programs are implemented. FH holds a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment and Fraud. FH expects its employees to maintain high ethical standards, protect organizational integrity and reputation, and ensure that FH work is carried out in honest and fair methods, in alignment with the FH Heartbeat, Anti -Fraud, Safeguarding and associated policies. Violations to stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of employment. Note: All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and may be subject to appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Food for the Hungry Safeguarding, Anti-Fraud & HR policy. In line with this we will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of fraud, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.