Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, with a focus on vulnerable and under-served populations.  Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.

EDC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Project Description

The goal of the five-year, USAID-funded Integrated Child and Youth Development (ICYD) Activity is for Ugandan children and youth, especially the most vulnerable, to receive the support and services necessary to lead resilient, healthy, and productive lives. The ICYD Activity is expected to achieve the following:

1. Children and youth have improved learning outcomes;
2. Children and youth are safe and healthy in their community and learning environments; and
3. Youth practice positive behaviors and are able to make informed decisions about their lives and relationships.

This Activity will address the mutually reinforcing relationship between improving learning outcomes and improving wellbeing and employ a comprehensive approach that merges PEPFAR/OVC’s strengths in acute vulnerability stabilization with education’s broad protective effects.

The Communications Specialist will design and maintain knowledge and communications resources for the project. S/he will lead the design and implementation of the communications strategy to inform the public about the project’s work. The Communications Specialist will support the implementation of the ICDY Activity’s branding strategy including editing, desktop publishing, etc. S/he will work closely with the Chief of Party to develop a communications and outreach strategy to publicize the project’s activities and results at regional and national levels and, as appropriate, internationally, developing a regional and national presence. S/he will disseminate key project achievements to the funder, stakeholders and the general public, in accordance with USAID and EDC guidelines. S/he will manage social media and produce communication materials and reports. The Communications Specialist reports to the Chief of Party and oversees the Communications Officer. This is a full-time position based in Kampala, Uganda.

Essential functions include (but not limited to): 

• Promotes effective communications and knowledge sharing among USAID ICYD staff and other USAID-funded projects in Uganda;
• Establishes and monitors a communication and outreach plan to disseminate the project’s activities and results nationally and, as appropriate, internationally;
• Develops communications materials to promote the work of the ICYD Activity, including fact sheets, success stories, audiovisuals, etc.;
• Supports the development of monthly, quarterly and annual project reports and takes minutes at project meetings;
• Prepares press releases and liaises with local and national newspapers, radio and television stations to promote project events or key achievements;
• Organizes and facilitates conferences/ forums to disseminate project lessons learned and results with key stakeholders;
• Attends functions as required to support the development of communication products;
• Takes photos and/or works with photographers and maintains a photo bank with photo releases for USAID ICYD communication products on SharePoint;
• Collaborates with EDC Home Office to adapt social media posts and success stories for international audiences;
• Ensures that social media is distributed through identified channels regularly;
• Coordinates with Chief of Party and EDC Home Office and the USAID Communications Officer to ensure materials are approved in accordance with USAID’s branding and marking guidance;
• Contribute to the design and implementation of the project’s learning agenda and actively participate in Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) processes in place within the project;
• Supervise, mentor and provide guidance for the Communications Officer.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism or similar field required.

Skills and Experience:

• 6 to 7 years of directly relevant experience required, preferably working for an international organization or agency;
• Demonstrated ability to work with different teams, including local project staff, international staff, consultants, and government officials;
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and work well under pressure;
• Proven experience as a supervisor;
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent oral and written communication skills in English required, strong visual design skills;
• Strong proficiency in the use of MS Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop and/or Acrobat;
• Ability to establish contacts with local and national media (newspapers, television, radio, etc.);
• Experienced in social media writing or management for organizations, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube;
• Experience in photography and/or videography preferred;
• Experience working on USAID-funded projects preferred;
• Knowledge of the Uganda education and OVC sector preferred