Corporate Communication Officer-HR/06/2024

ABOUT MESPT

Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT) was established in 2002 by the Government of Kenya and European Union. EU later relinquished their position to the Royal Danish Embassy in Kenya, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA) through a Trust Deed of 2013.

The Trust is a development organization with a purpose to grow small holder farmers and Agri SMEs to increase productivity, incomes and enhance competitiveness for job creation especially for youth and women. This is achieved through capacity building which includes skills development, technical support, business advisory, financial and market linkages.

Our focus is to facilitate support and provision of integrated financial and business development services for small holder farmers and Agri SMEs in Kenya. This is aimed at enabling beneficiaries to access finance, increase agricultural productivity, agro-processing, and access markets/ trade opportunities. For over a decade, MESPT has partnered with development agencies, donors, and investors to build the capacity of the business services sector and the agricultural sector in Kenya through a unique tripartite business model that links Farmers, Agri- SMEs, and Financial Institutions – creating linkages along value chains.

We pride ourselves for successfully implementing 12 agriculture-based Programmes that have seen us facilitate creation of 70,000 decent jobs at various levels of the agriculture market systems. We have also cumulatively disbursed KES 6.4 billion to financial institutions and over 250,000 end users have accessed finance.

For further information kindly visit our website www.mespt.org

VACANT POSITION

As part of its development programme, MESPT is seeking to engage a highly committed, results-oriented, self-driven professional with strong writing, interpersonal and strategic skills to support the realization of MESPT corporate & programme communication strategies.

Job Title: Corporate Communication Officer

Department: Resource Mobilization

Position Reports to: Head of Fundraising and Partnerships

Position Supervises: None

Duty Station: Nairobi, Westlands.

Salary: Grade 4

Benefits: 25 working days annual leave, Medical Insurance, 20% Gratuity, 7.5% annual leave allowance.

Restrictions: 3 months’ probation period, 36 months fixed contract & one-month notice period.

Expected Travel: Occasional

Job Purpose

The Corporate Communication Officer will play a crucial role in shaping and maintaining our organization’s public image and brand reputation. She/He will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic communication plans and initiatives that align with our strategic goals and objectives and will manage the day-to-day corporate & programme communication activities required to contribute to achieving the communications targets of MESPT and assist in monitoring their implementation.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the Trust’s communication function
• Coordinate the Trust’s participation in strategic forums that enhance MESPT’s image, promote the programs and promote networking, collaborations, and networks, e.g., conferences, exhibitions, shows and festivals.
• Ensure that all MESPT events are well organized, branded and executed.
• Plan and manage the design, content, and production of all organizational materials such as brochures, fact sheets, reports and newsletters among others.
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, influencers, partners, key opinion farmers and beneficiaries that will help advance the work of MESPT
• In liaison with the MEAL Manager document case studies and other stories of progress and achievement for dissemination and maintain a library of case studies and photography and the archiving and storage of information Prepare speeches for official functions of the Trust.
• Facilitate the branding of MESPT and that of donors while ensuring that the costs are within the budget and stipulated timelines.
• Carry out research based on both local and international press on possible causes of negative publicity and recommend appropriate interventions.
• Advice on suitable Corporate Social Initiatives (CSI) and managing the activities.
• Coordinate media relations strategies and identify specific events that require media coverage and packaging for dissemination to the media and the public.
• Produce and disseminate communication materials about MESPT and its programmes, Coordinate social media and website content.
• Produce monthly newsletters.
• Proofreading and editing reports and publications.
• Manage internal and external communication and develop and implement an integrated public communications plan.
• Gather information to develop high-level documents such as policies, manuals and strategies relevant to the department.
• Identify issues related to customer satisfaction and ensure that relevant measures are taken to address the issues.
• Other duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the supervisor/Manager.

Key Relationships

Internal

• The CEO
• Programme Managers
• Finance team
• Programme officers
• Programme Assistants
• Human Resource officer
• ICT Team

External

• Media Vendors
• Consultants
• Suppliers
• Brand ambassadors
• Donors
• Partner Organizations, Government Ministries and organizations

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• At least Five years’ progressive work experience in a fast-paced and challenging environment preferably with development organizations and agencies.
• Solid business acumen, project/program management, the ability to drive results and influence others, strong analytical and negotiation skills, and excellent process orientation.
• Experience coordinating events for large and small groups.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Experience working with programmes in non-governmental organizations.

Qualifications/Other Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, PR, Journalism, or related fields.
• Professional Qualifications / Membership to professional bodies e.g. Member of the Public Relations Society of Kenya or Media Council of Kenya or any other recognized professional body.
• Strong computer software skills on publishing, photo/video editing software and office programmes (Excel, Word, etc.) (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) is an advantage).
• Working knowledge of graphic design.
• Knowledge of working with newsletters, blogs and IT design programs as well as e-Communication.

Role Competencies:

• Willingness to work in a fast paced and constantly changing work environment.
• Driven, curious and willing to engage and learn.
• Good at understanding guidelines and requirements and translating them into concrete improvements.
• Flexibility and ability to prioritize and plan daily work according to evolving needs, often with short deadlines and shifting tasks.
• Ability to work independently and in a structured and effective manner, with attention to detail and results.
• Good analytical and critical thinking skills, Problem-solving, judgment and decision-making skills.
• Excellent English oral and written communication and presentation skills, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences.
• Unquestionable integrity
• Ability to prioritise

Behaviour

• Accountable: Taking responsibility for appropriate decisions that you make, and the actions and behaviour you demonstrate
• Embracing Change: Openness to embracing change within the organisation and being able to adjust plans/activities accordingly.
• Team Player: with excellent interpersonal skills, motivated by cooperating with a diverse mix of professionals and different cultures. Ability to build and maintain networks…
• Innovative: Thinking creatively and outside of the box so that ideas generated create a positive outcome

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available and MESPT reserves the right to make necessary changes.