Background
The Government of Uganda – represented by the Ministry of Finance and Planning and Economic Development (MoFED) in collaboration with the International Development Association (IDA) and other development partners including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Sweden is implementing the Investment for Industrial Transformation and Employment (INVITE) project. The project is financed by the International Development Association and a Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF).
The Export Firm Support (EFS) is under Component 3 of INVITE and focuses on developing firm capacity and expanding access to market opportunities through different interventions targeting exporters (and potential exporters) to identify export opportunities and meet consumer demand through specialized support.
As the primary implementing agency for INVITE, the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) now invites suitably qualified individuals to apply for the position of Communication Officer (CO) under the Export Firm Support (EFS) and Refugee Hosting Districts (RHD) components. The assignment shall be for a period of two years subject to a probation period of six months, and renewable for another two years subject to satisfactory performance.
Job Purpose:
To manage project communications by technically supporting the EFS and RHD components in ensuring timely and appropriate generation, collection, dissemination, storage, and ultimate disposition of project information. The CO will a) manage the communication on the web platforms and other digital tools; b) participate actively in investment promotion in RHD areas; and c) participate actively in the FES component. The CO shall ensure timely and regular information material is produced and available to project management for-sharing stakeholders for both components and support the implementation for effective stakeholder participation and support.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
- Refine and improve the communication, and presentation of the web platform as the entry point of the program and ensure that the web platform is an integral part of the communications strategy. A key task is to ensure that the platform is updated by the IT team, with up-to-date project information, communication material, and other secondary material that may be of interest to stakeholders.
- Refine/develop and supervise the implementation of the EFS and RHD communication strategy;
- For the FES component work with the technical team to produce material to market the program to potential exporting firms in Uganda.
- For the RHD component work with the technical team to produce material to market the program to investors, work and participate in investment promotion activities in internal and external markets.
- Assess the information needs of the stakeholders and prepare targeted messages on project/component issues.
- Coordinate the development and production of information, education, and communication (IEC) materials in liaison with the various project staff and stakeholders to ensure quality and timely dissemination.
- Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the communication strategy.
- Liaise with print/electronic media on promotion of the project/component activities.
- Work with traditional media groups to disseminate project messages.
- Promote a positive culture and image of the project and market the project for greater visibility and access to the target population.
- Review the information on the project website provide content development support and ensure website promotion on a regular basis.
- Organize media events such as press conferences, talk shows, and interviews of key component staff, and stakeholders on public and private media.
- Supervise the development of printed, multimedia, and/or web-based publications (case studies, research reports, project updates, newsletters, etc.) and provide quality control in line with the project corporate identity standards.
- Generate specific media outputs (deliverables) as determined from time to time in the respective projected work plans for each quarter.
- Perform any other duties as may be assigned to you from time to time.
Qualifications, Experience, Other skills and Competence
Academic qualifications
- Applicants should possess an honors degree from a recognized institution in any of the following areas: mass communication, journalism, development communication, or media studies.
- Post-graduate qualification in mass communication, journalism, development communication, strategic communication, media studies, marketing, public relations, business administration, and project management will be an added advantage.
- An undergraduate in business or marketing studies or exposure to business or investment promotion would be advantageous.
Experience
- At least six (6) years of professional experience in communication at a senior position in a project, private sector, international agency or other credible/reputable institution.
- Demonstrated experience and skills in undertaking social assessments, stakeholder analysis, developing plans and execution
- Experience in working across the areas of grass roots communities, private sector, non-governmental organizations, financing, multilateral and bilateral development agencies and government will be an advantage.
Other Requirements
- Experience in communication and media relations, media campaigns and promotional material development.
- Experience in using a wide range of communication tools in print, broadcasting, electronic and traditional media as well as public relations.
- Experience working in, and with, some of the following areas: grassroots communities including in refugee hosting settlements, private sector, non-governmental organizations, multilateral and bilateral development agencies and government.
- Experience of working in the private sector i.e. marketing and investment promotion.
- Excellent communication skills (oral and written).
- High level of honesty, integrity, and versatility.
- Ability to work with minimum supervision and deliver under tight deadlines.
Key Results /Outputs
- Development and implementation of the component communication strategy.
- Assessment of information needs of key stakeholders as well as public relations.
- Monitoring and evaluation of communication strategy implementation.
- Promotion of positive culture and image of the components and project.
- Coordination of preparation of information to update the INVITE website.
- Development of IEC materials and multimedia productions for social media.
- Development of a communication procurement plan, work plan, and budget.
- Any other duties assigned from time to time.
3.5 Reporting
The Communication Officer shall report to the Project Coordinator.
3.5 Duty Station
The CO will be deployed on a full-time basis and the duty station shall be the PIU Office in Kampala with frequent travel upcountry.
3.5 Facilities to Be Provided by The Employer
The Employer shall provide office space, with connectivity to internet, printer, and access to other office amenities during the term of his contract.
3.5 Duration of Services
The CO will be appointed on a contractual basis for an initial period of 24 months, with a possibility of renewal based on performance, business need, and budget availability.