Communications Volunteer Intern

Reports to: Senior Programs Coordinator
Responsibility for: None

Salary indication: A gross monthly amount of KES 40,000.

Job purpose:

Support Sense International Kenya (SIK) to profile and raise awareness about the organization and about deafblindness in line with SIK’S communications plan.

The Communications Officer will be charged with managing the Global Resource Hub (SI-Kenya section) to promote and transfer knowledge through approachable interpersonal skills and effective organizational competencies.

He/she will use information generated by project team leaders who are at the center of program/project implementation, as well as information from other resources, such as scoping/research, documents, publications, learning resource materials, and researching any additional resources in English at the national level and from implementing counties, to understand what is available using the information gathered and how the organization can put/publish/signpost to this information on the Global Resource Hub. The Global Resource Hub aims to be the go-to place for people with deafblindness/MSI to access news, stories, information, learning materials, etc., and for those who support them.

The main objective of the Hub is to ensure that people with deafblindness are able to access information (whether books, news, learning materials, documents, etc.) the same way as people without disabilities and for the Hub to be a trusted source of collated information easily available to them in different languages (English and key local languages).

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Communications planning

• Contribute to the development and annual review of a Communications Strategy
• Create and update an Annual Communications Workplan on a monthly basis
• Creating a communications plan for the local launch of the Global Resource Hub

Content creation and accessibility

• Liaise with the global resource hub team at Sense International -UK for seamless upload and publication of accessible documents that have been identified by a consultant through a scoping exercise.
• Research and gather information, resources, and materials on deafblindness from various reliable and authentic sources.
• Convert documents, reports, and other materials into accessible digital formats as well as other accessible formats (Braille, large print, audio) for the deafblind community.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts and stakeholders to ensure the accuracy and relevance of content.
• Review, edit, and proofread documents to meet clarity, consistency, and accessibility standards (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines -WCAG international standard).
• Maintain a well-organized and up-to-date database of accessible documents and resources.
• Provide technical support and training to staff and partners on creating accessible materials and using assistive technologies.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of accessible documents on the target audience.
• Stay updated on advancements in accessibility technologies, standards, and best practices.
• Support with logistics of local level user testing and feedback on Global Resource Hub.

Communication outreach and Media relations

• Produce case studies, stories, and blog posts on a regular basis to reflect the changes in the lives of the people we are supporting. This will be done through visits to programs and through interviewing staff, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders.
• Develop relationships with the media including print media, television, and online media.
• Manage and maintain social media channels (Facebook, Messenger, Histogram, Twitter, LinkedIn etc.) to engage with stakeholders and the deafblind community.
• Document and share lessons learned, best practices, and project outcomes through online and offline channels.
• Design promotional materials (e-newsletters, reports, banners, leaflets, and posters and other visibility/branding materials) to raise awareness about deafblindness resources.
• Generate reports, communiques and press releases for training sessions, workshops, engagements and events related to deafblindness.
• Coordinate with the IT technical support person for seamless communication activities.
• Assist in drafting opinion pieces for newspapers and policy briefs related to deafblindness.
• Support the project team in developing reports and stories highlighting project activities.
• Ensure compliance with branding/visibility guidelines for all communication materials.
• Develop relationships with the media including print media, television, and online media.
• Fulfill any additional communication duties assigned by the project management team.
• Support project teams in the implementation of project communication/visibility plans.

Awareness raising events.

• Support SIK to hold awareness-raising events with partners by contributing to the coordination and planning of the events, by producing communications materials, by capturing stories about the events, by generating media coverage, and by sharing news stories on social media.
• Support SIK with the local launch of the Global Resource Hub including planning the launch, identifying stakeholders and promotion of the launch before and after

Support to Fundraising

• Contribute to building collaborative fundraising relations with media houses, corporates, and individuals to boost Sense International resource mobilization.

Communications support to Advocacy

• Back up SIK advocacy efforts through regular update of content on SIK’s X, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube channel; development of popular versions of research reports and policy briefs, alongside engagement with relevant Print media houses, digital media (radio, and TV stations).

Any other duties

Any other duties as called upon to achieve the communications objectives of SIK.

Personal Specification.

Required:

• A bachelor’s degree.
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Ability to work under minimum supervision to achieve results.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Innovation and creativity.
• Proficient in MS Office applications.

Desirable

• A bachelor’s degree in a communication related field of study.
• Experience in a communication related role.
• Basic web design skills.
• Knowledge of the international development sector
• Knowledge of the disability sector within civil society.
• Experience of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
• Understanding of Kenyan rules / requirements for NGOs to operate.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Strong commitment to high standards of service delivery and customer care.
• A commitment to Sense International Kenya’s vision and mission.
• Ability to work to deadlines and prioritise workloads.
• A positive and proactive approach to all areas of work with a ‘can do’ attitude, in line with the organisation’s values.
• High standards of personal integrity, honesty, and discretion.