StrongMinds (www.strongminds.org) is an INGO that treats depression in women and adolescents in low-income communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Our rigorously tested group talk therapy model is delivered by trained lay community members, enabling us to rapidly reach tens of thousands of people each year. Since our founding in 2013, we have restored mental health to more than 170,000 women and adolescents in Uganda and Zambia. We are the only organization scaling a proven, cost-effective solution to the depression epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa.

Job Description:
The Communications Officer will serve as a key contributor to the StrongMinds Uganda and StrongMinds Global communications and marketing initiative. This position will serve as a key communications liaison between the Uganda and US offices, providing content (stories, images, video, etc.) for donor-facing publications and for social media. The ideal person is a creative, a quick thinker, has a knack for detail and a penchant for excellence, is great with people, a consummate networker, and an amazing writer (therefore is an avid reader and likes researching).

Responsibilities:
• Coordinate with Global comms team on international social media strategy and provide regular content, following a social media calendar,
• Travel to communities and collect stories, quotes, and photographs from StrongMinds beneficiaries, volunteers, and partners,
Produce regular stories, quotes, content for StrongMinds’ recurring publications, such as Partner briefs, monthly newsletters, social media, and quarterly reports,
• Coordinate and collect feedback from Uganda office on global publications,
• Supervise consulting photographers, videographers and writers on field visits,
• Ensure that informed consent is obtained from all interview and photo subjects,
• Work with the Manager Brand, Content and Creative ensuring that all publications and merchandise adhere to StrongMinds brand and messaging guidelines,
Proactively work with colleagues to identify upcoming storytelling needs and arrange for content to be sourced, written, and edited ahead of deadlines.
• Ensure that publications produced by the global communications office are culturally and contextually relevant to Ugandan audiences, guide writing team on necessary changes as needed,
• Assist with uploading and tagging of digital assets to online database, as needed
Provide general support to communications department, including formatting of reports, coordinating metrics, scheduling meetings, sourcing merchandise, and other duties as needed.
• Any other duties as assigned to help advance the StrongMinds communications strategy and organizational priorities.

Desired Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree plus 3-5 years of professional experience, particularly in roles that require a variety of writing styles and/or a variety of audiences.
• Strong written communication skills, the ability to write clear, structured, articulate, and persuasive proposals and reports.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• A clear understanding of StrongMinds’ mission and ability to convey strategy.
• Strong research skills – ability to synthesize research, interviews, and data to craft compelling narratives.
Ability to handle competing priorities and meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive approach to identifying opportunities for improvement and removing barriers/problem solving to deliver results.
• Video editing and photography skills, a plus.
• Self-starter, who can set and adhere to deadlines.

Essential Characteristics:
• Proven ability to work as an effective team member
• Self-motivated with excellent leadership skills
• Ability to work with diverse cultures
• Ability to work under pressure
• Self-respect
• Timeliness
• Self driven, hard working, results oriented, eager to learn
• Team player

Core values
We are people focused.
Our clients are the top priority, and we ensure they receive the best possible care and support. Our
employees matter and we enable our team to thrive. We respect all our stakeholders and treat them as equals.
Behaviors Indicators
• Puts clients’ first (internal and external)
• Respect for all stakeholders
• Show care and provide support to all our clients – both internal and external
• Treat all stakeholders equally.
• Foster a spirit of teamwork

We think big and act fast.
We are passionate about achieving our bold mission. We move with urgency and focus on achieving scale. We continually find new ways to work and to solve problems.
Behaviors Indicators
• Works with urgency
• Focus on achieving the Mission.
• New and innovative ways of work to solve problems

We are data driven.
Data is at our core. It guides us and drives our decision-making.
Behaviors Indicators
• Decision-making driven by data.
• Putting data at the core of StrongMinds operations

We do what we say and say what we do.
We are open and direct in our communications. We are honest in our interactions. No funny business.
Behaviors Indicators
• Open and direct communication
• Honesty in all interactions
• High level of integrity

We believe in collaboration, not competition.
We do not compete with other mental health implementers. We welcome their contributions to achieving our mission and partner with them whenever possible.
Behaviors Indicators
• Partnership with other mental health implementers
• Collaboration within teams