overnance and Communications Officer
Governance and Communications Officer
Embassy of Ireland, Nairobi, KENYA
Deadline January 3rd, 2022
Our mission is to promote and protect abroad the values, interests and economic well-being of Ireland and its people. We do this under the political direction of our Ministers, through our staff at home and through our Embassy network abroad.
The Embassy’s role is to deepen bilateral political relations between Ireland and Kenya; serve the needs of Irish citizens; strengthen trade, tourism and investment between our countries and support Kenya’s socio-economic development through a targeted development cooperation and trade programme.
The Embassy wishes to contract the services of a full-time Governance and Communications Officer. This position is based at Embassy Nairobi and covers all four countries of accreditation (Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Eritrea).
The Governance and Communications Officer will work as part of the Embassy team across the political, development and trade portfolios to:
- contribute to the oversight of our governance work;
- deliver informed and insightful political analysis and reporting;
- develop strategic and engaging communications content on behalf of the Embassy.
The successful candidate will:
- Provide technical analysis and support to the Embassy’s inclusive governance/gender portfolio including grant oversight of partnerships. This will include regular liaison with implementing partners to include reviewing budgets and work plans and ensuring compliance with grant management standards.
- Undertake political analysis, reporting and media monitoring across the countries of Embassy accreditation and build robust networks within the Government, media and civil society to deliver trusted tracking of political issues that support overall Embassy engagement (including United Nations Security Council, mission strategy planning and annual business planning).
- Create strategic and engaging communications content on behalf of the Embassy, including press releases, speeches, social media posts, and website material to promote the Embassy’s work.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the next mission strategy.
This role will report directly to the Deputy Head of Mission. The position will engage regularly with the Ambassador and Second Secretary, work closely with other staff at the Embassy to ensure a whole of Embassy approach, and actively engage with stakeholders across the Department as well as the countries of accreditation.
Essential requirements candidates must be able to demonstrate:
- Candidates must have a post-graduate qualification in international relations, communications and/or related field.
- Candidates must have a minimum of five years relevant experience as a governance/political analyst in Kenya (and/or the Horn of Africa) at a national or regional level providing advice and briefing to senior management.
- Candidates must have at least three years of experience working on communications with a proven ability to produce high quality written material and the ability to write in an easily understood style and format for a range of audiences (examples may be requested).
- Candidates must be able to demonstrate excellent written and spoken English. Applicants may be contacted in advance to establish language proficiency and a short written language test may be required.
- Candidates must be able to proactively work with internal and external stakeholders building and sustaining impactful networks and relationships, in particular with media outlets/journalists, civil society and other policy analysts.
- Demonstrable capacity to work in complex environments delivering results at pace and under pressure and taking responsibility for outcomes.
- Demonstrable experience in programme development and management (including budgets).
- Strong relationships/networks with key national, regional and, ideally, international networks.
- Resourceful and results-orientated, candidates should be able to demonstrate an ability to problem-solve working both independently and as a team member.
- High degree of integrity and trust.
- Proficient with MS Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint and social media platforms; additional IT applications would be beneficial (e.g. working with datasets).
- Candidates must be able to travel regularly in Kenya and, potentially internationally, up to 30 days/year.
- The successful candidate must have a legal entitlement to live and work in Kenya prior to recruitment.
Desirablecompetencies candidates are able to demonstrate:
- Experience with Thinking and Working Politically (TWP).
- Practical knowledge of programme cycle management including monitoring, evaluation and learning.
Terms and conditions of employment:
The successful candidates will be hired on an initial 2 year fixed-term contract and will be based at the Embassy Nairobi office.
The salary for the position is Ksh 4,368,000 per annum (salary scale of Ksh 4,368,000 – Ksh 5,185,700), paid locally on a monthly basis. A pension plan is available to the successful applicant. Salaries are paid direct to a bank account therefore the successful candidate must have a bank account.
The positions will have an annual leave allowance of 21 days per annum, exclusive of public holidays, adjusted pro rata.
How to apply
The Job Description and Application Form for this position are available on our website
Working with us – Department of Foreign Affairs (dfa.ie)
Completed application forms should be sent via e-mail only to [email protected], with the subject line Governance and Communications Officer.
Applications must be received before 16:30 hrs. (Local time) on January 3rd, 2022.
No CVs will be accepted. No applications will be accepted after this deadline. Please note that only short listed applicants will be contacted.
Selection Process:
A short-listing of candidates to be called for a competency-based interview will be undertaken based on the Essential/Key Requirements above. A test will be administered for those who progress to the second and final interview stage.
It is planned that first interview will be held by video-conference the week commencing January 17, 2021 (TBC) and the second/final round (including test) will be conducted in person.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
All personal information received will be kept in line with GDPR guidelines.
Security Clearance for Local Staff
Police security clearance will be sought in respect of individuals who come under consideration for appointment. Enquiries may also be made with the police force of any country in which the applicant under consideration for appointment resided. If unsuccessful this information will be destroyed. If the applicant subsequently comes under consideration for another position they will be required to supply this information again.
Please note that canvassing will disqualify applicants.
The Embassy of Kenya is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunity.
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