About the role:

Our communications goal is to establish Food4Education’s reputation and influence as a trusted partner for delivering innovative, sustainable school feeding solutions at scale in Africa and beyond.

The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive communication and brand strategy that delivers on this goal, overseeing all internal and external communications plans. 

They will work closely with the CEO and the Senior Management Team (SMT) to ensure consistent messaging and brand image, effective global and media relations, and lead a team of communication professionals to actively promote the organization’s initiatives across various channels. 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Planning:

• Develop and implement a strategic communications plan aligned with the F4E’s overall goals, including refining key messages, nuancing target audiences, and optimising communication channels. 
• Work closely with key functional leads including Operations, Fundraising, Policy & Partnerships, and People Team, digesting contrasting perspectives to distill core information focus for effective storytelling.
• Manage agency partners to ensure effective planning and delivery of activities in line with agreed communications goals locally and internationally. 
• Track progress indicators and data analysis to measure the effectiveness of communication campaigns, identifying areas for improvement to adjust strategies accordingly. 

Media Relations and Content Development:

• Manage a proactive press office function to mine and harness storytelling opportunities across the organisation, overseeing the maintenance of messaging guidance and responses.
• Oversee the development of engaging content across various platforms, including website, social media, newsletters, press releases, and internal communications that effectively relay corporate and brand campaign efforts. 
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with key local and international media contacts which result in compelling and impactful communications. 
• Manage crisis communications effectively, ensuring clear escalation protocols and rapid response measures for evolving issues. 

Brand Management and Campaign Development:

• Develop highly visible consumer campaigns to target key local audiences in driving advocacy for Food4Education and other sub brands e.g. Tap2Eat. 
• Establish good working relationships with the F4E’s partners, industry counterparts and other stakeholders to foster opportunities for proactive communications and joint promotion.
• Ensure consistency in brand voice and messaging across all communications, working collaboratively with key internal stakeholders and functional leads. 
• Support the development of F4E’s Annual Report, flagship publications, and other collateral requirements.

Internal Communications:

• Develop and execute internal communication strategies to strengthen cohesion, clarity of vision and organizational values amongst all staff.
• Foster a positive employee culture in partnership with the People Team, to keep employees informed about company updates, initiatives, and key developments, using effective communication channels and formats.

Organisation and Team Leadership:

• Actively position the Comms function as an integral strategic support for the wider organisation, establishing them as a go-to and convener for proactive storytelling
• Lead and mentor a team of communications professionals, including PR specialists, content developers, digital managers, and their wider support teams/agencies, assigning tasks, setting clear expectations, and providing feedback. 
• Support and train staff on optimising engagement strategies to further develop career skills and opportunities for progression

Qualifications

• Extensive Experience: A strong background in public relations and corporate communications, particularly in a multinational setting, with proven success in driving reputation initiatives. Undergraduate degree in a related field such as journalism or public relations, with a minimum of 10 years of experience in a similar role. 
• Strategic Leadership: Experience in planning and executing external and internal stakeholder engagement programs, with high visibility within the organisation to apply critical thinking and input into F4E’s strategic plans.
• Project Management: Excellent project management, work planning, organisation, and time management skills. Ability to exercise sound judgment and demonstrate initiative to accomplish assigned tasks.
• Crisis Management Expertise: A proven track record in managing communications during issues and crises. Influencing, negotiating, and problem-solving skills with the ability to remain composed in high-pressure situations.
• Collaborative Mindset: Ability to work across functions, geographies, and cultures to influence stakeholders and synthesise an integrated approach that drives results. Minimum 5 years experience managing communications teams and external PR agencies to develop organization-wide communications strategies. 
• Communication Skills: Exceptional oral and written communication skills with the ability to influence and build relationships with senior leaders and colleagues at all levels internally, and across diverse external audiences. Experience working with and developing content for a wide range of channels, including web, social media, print, and broadcast media in Kenya, pan-African, and global contexts. An ambassador for internal information sharing, change management, and innovation. 
• Global Reach, but Local Understanding: Kenyan-rooted local, with good know-how of the country and counties, as well as pan-African understanding. Track record of forging and maintaining high-level and successful partnership projects across audiences, navigating complex, politicised stakeholder environments. Flexibility to work across time zones and travel internationally when required.