Reports to:     Head of Programs
Type:              Part time/on call.

Role purpose

Impact and Innovations Development Centre (IIDC) is a not-for-profit regional Technical Assistance (TA) and Learning partner organization that collaborates with development agencies in the public and private sectors to promote impactful and innovative programming. IIDC works to build capacities, facilitate learning, and enhance the effectiveness of development programming in Africa to achieve sustainable and equitable development outcomes for all. Our focus includes technical assistance in intervention design, measurement and evidence generation, adaptation and scale-up of evidence-based development models, Documentation and knowledge management, safeguarding in programming. For more information about IIDC, please visit www.iidcug.org

IIDC has proven a track record in technical assistance and learning facilitation working with partners across Eastern Africa region and we are entering a new phase of strategic growth and seeking to elevate our communications to better reflect our values, amplify our mission, and deepen our impact.

We are looking for a Communications Specialist who is both a strong implementer and a strategist. This is a mid-level position ideal for a candidate with a minimum of 5 years of experience in communications but with growth potential. The ideal candidate will be comfortable handling day-to-day communications tasks while also supporting higher-level strategic communication initiatives.

Nature & Scope of Work broadly

• Supporting the planning of IIDC’s internal and external communications activities and resources.
• Works closely with technical program team and management to design information packages relevant to different audiences (public awareness, civic campaigns, media relations channels, community engagement and digital and online channels).
• Develops and disseminates information material about IIDC work externally including newsletters, public notices, press releases,
• Develop and implement IIDC brand guidelines internally and externally during presentations of information in all communication channels including website, print material and social media.
• Update with information and manage IIDC’s website and social media accounts regularly.
• Acts as the media liaison including coordinating media response messages, fact sheets, briefing notes, background notes, editorials, speeches and talking notes, directing inquiries to the appropriate organisation staff and organizing interviews.
• Coordinate a positive relationship with media, key stakeholders, elected official and community groups by responding promptly and positively to requests and implementing public engagement strategies.
• Works with departments in developing key messages and identifying opportunities for proactive media coverage for IIDC programs,
• Support IIDC programs in organising special events for visibility and promotion of the work of IIDC and its results.
• Project Management: Coordinating communication projects, ensuring timely completion, and managing resources.

Specific tasks

• Content Creation: Developing and creating content for various communication channels, including websites, social media, newsletters, brochures, and presentations.
• Draft and edit newsletters, press releases, blog posts, reports, and donor updates.
• Develop engaging content for social media platforms (Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook).
• Lead the content development and organising IIDC annual reports.
• Media Relations: Building and maintaining relationships with media outlets, responding to inquiries, and managing media coverage.
• Develop and grow a media contact database.
• Draft media pitches and assist in coordinating interviews and media appearances.
• Monitor media coverage and compile press clippings.
• Assist program teams in developing communications materials (fact sheets, flyers, slide decks presentation flow).
• Support the coordination of events, webinars, and speaking engagements.
• Ensure consistent application of brand and messaging guidelines across all platforms.

Qualifications for Communications Coordinator

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in development communications, ideally in the non-profit or social impact sector.
• Exceptional writing and interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in social media platforms and digital tools (e.g., Canva, Mailchimp, WordPress, Meta Business Suite).
• Basic graphic design skills are highly desirable.
• Familiar with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint and capable of creating visually compelling presentations

Other Skills needed

• A working familiarity with multimedia communication tools such as video, audio, slides, desktop publishing, photography, graphic design and print production techniques and processes.
• Ability to effectively read and interpret information, present numerical data in a resourceful accessible manner.
• Stay abreast of sector trends and propose creative ideas to improve outreach and visibility.
• Proficiency in using social media platforms and tools, including content scheduling and analytics.
• Familiarity with information systems, website and online communications technologies including use of digital performance analytics (Google Analytics, social metrics).
• Familiarity with public engagement strategies, techniques and approaches
• Adaptability agility skills: Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and adapt to changing communication needs.

• Supporting the planning of IIDC’s internal and external communications activities and resources.
• Works closely with technical program team and management to design information packages relevant to different audiences (public awareness, civic campaigns, media relations channels, community engagement and digital and online channels).
• Develops and disseminates information material about IIDC work externally including newsletters, public notices, press releases,
• Develop and implement IIDC brand guidelines internally and externally during presentations of information in all communication channels including website, print material and social media.
• Update with information and manage IIDC’s website and social media accounts regularly.
• Acts as the media liaison including coordinating media response messages, fact sheets, briefing notes, background notes, editorials, speeches and talking notes, directing inquiries to the appropriate organisation staff and organizing interviews.
• Coordinate a positive relationship with media, key stakeholders, elected official and community groups by responding promptly and positively to requests and implementing public engagement strategies.
• Works with departments in developing key messages and identifying opportunities for proactive media coverage for IIDC programs,
• Support IIDC programs in organising special events for visibility and promotion of the work of IIDC and its results.
• Project Management: Coordinating communication projects, ensuring timely completion, and managing resources.
• Content Creation: Developing and creating content for various communication channels, including websites, social media, newsletters, brochures, and presentations.
• Draft and edit newsletters, press releases, blog posts, reports, and donor updates.
• Develop engaging content for social media platforms (Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook).
• Lead the content development and organising IIDC annual reports.
• Media Relations: Building and maintaining relationships with media outlets, responding to inquiries, and managing media coverage.
• Develop and grow a media contact database.
• Draft media pitches and assist in coordinating interviews and media appearances.
• Monitor media coverage and compile press clippings.
• Assist program teams in developing communications materials (fact sheets, flyers, slide decks presentation flow).
• Support the coordination of events, webinars, and speaking engagements.
• Ensure consistent application of brand and messaging guidelines across all platforms.

• Exceptional writing and interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in social media platforms and digital tools (e.g., Canva, Mailchimp, WordPress, Meta Business Suite).
• Basic graphic design skills are highly desirable.
• Familiar with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint and capable of creating visually compelling presentations
• A working familiarity with multimedia communication tools such as video, audio, slides, desktop publishing, photography, graphic design and print production techniques and processes.
• Ability to effectively read and interpret information, present numerical data in a resourceful accessible manner.
• Stay abreast of sector trends and propose creative ideas to improve outreach and visibility.
• Proficiency in using social media platforms and tools, including content scheduling and analytics.
• Familiarity with information systems, website and online communications technologies including use of digital performance analytics (Google Analytics, social metrics).
• Familiarity with public engagement strategies, techniques and approaches
• Adaptability agility skills: Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and adapt to changing communication needs.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in development communications, ideally in the non-profit or social impact sector.