Shamiri Institute is a pioneering organization dedicated to advancing mental health and well-being across Africa. With a focus on scalable, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive solutions, Shamiri empowers individuals and communities to thrive. As our reach and impact continue to expand, so does the need to strengthen our connection with diverse audiences—from caregivers and beneficiaries to educators, policymakers, and funders.
To meet this growing need, Shamiri is seeking a Community Engagement and Events Associate to join our dynamic Communications team. This role sits at the heart of our brand, people, and mission. It combines strategic community engagement with hands-on event management and storytelling, ensuring Shamiri’s values are consistently reflected in everything we do.
Reporting directly to the Communications Director, the Community Engagement and Events Associate will contribute to enhancing brand awareness, deepening grassroots relationships, and curating meaningful experiences that foster connection and impact. This is an exciting opportunity for a mid-level professional who thrives at the intersection of strategy, execution, and innovation.
If you are passionate about building communities, planning impactful events, and shaping narratives that inspire change, then this role may be the perfect fit.
Position: Community Engagement and Events Associate
- Location: Nairobi, Kenya
- Type: Full Time
- Level: Mid-Level
Role Summary
The Community Engagement and Events Associate will be a thought partner and execution lead for Shamiri’s community engagement and events portfolio. The role involves developing strategies to engage caregivers, fostering relationships with stakeholders, and creating immersive experiences that strengthen Shamiri’s mission and visibility.
You will play a critical role in shaping Shamiri’s brand affinity while ensuring all community engagement efforts are inclusive, data-driven, and innovative. From building systems that connect caregivers beyond the workplace to leading large-scale events and storytelling initiatives, your work will directly influence how Shamiri is perceived by communities across Africa.
Key Responsibilities
The position encompasses four core areas of responsibility: Community Engagement and Relationship Management, Event Planning and Execution, Impact Storytelling and Feedback Loops, and Innovation & Adaptability.
1. Community Engagement and Relationship Management
- Evaluate and improve Shamiri’s current caregiver community offerings.
- Design and implement a comprehensive engagement and events calendar for caregivers, including graduation events, networking opportunities, and career development initiatives.
- Build and maintain platforms that foster a strong sense of community (e.g., Discord, WhatsApp groups, newsletters, blogs).
- Develop and implement an engagement calendar for stakeholders such as beneficiaries, educators, government agencies, funders, and peer mental health organizations.
- Collaborate with leadership to roll out a wellness calendar with in-office and out-of-office activities for staff well-being.
- Use data from the 360-degree employee feedback survey to inform wellness programming improvements.
- Continuously monitor and evaluate engagement programs, using data insights to refine and scale impact.
2. Event Planning and Execution
- Partner with internal teams to align event goals, target audiences, and messaging with organizational objectives.
- Manage end-to-end event logistics: venue selection, vendor negotiations, promotion, registration, and onsite coordination.
- Cultivate strong relationships with sponsors, donors, and community partners to secure financial and in-kind support.
- Collaborate with the communications team to maximize event visibility across social media, newsletters, and traditional media outlets.
- Conduct post-event analysis to measure success through attendee feedback, fundraising outcomes, and KPIs, and recommend improvements for future events.
- Maintain accurate event-related records, including expenses, revenues, and reports for internal and external stakeholders.
3. Impact Storytelling and Feedback Loops
- Collect and share impactful stories from the community to highlight Shamiri’s mission and influence.
- Establish feedback loops that enable community members to share timely input, ensuring continuous learning and program adaptation.
4. Innovation & Adaptability
- Stay current with global trends in community engagement and event management to keep Shamiri’s approaches fresh and impactful.
- Demonstrate flexibility in navigating ambiguity, shifting priorities, and diverse engagement contexts—from grassroots initiatives to high-level strategy.
- Identify gaps in current engagement efforts and propose creative, scalable solutions.
Critical Success Factors
Success in this role requires a blend of creativity, strategy, and execution. The ideal candidate will:
- Communicate with impact: Exhibit excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to connect empathetically and across cultures.
- Excel at writing: Produce high-quality content for varied audiences, including press releases, blog posts, newsletters, and reports.
- Be data-driven: Analyze data to identify trends, evaluate impact, and guide decision-making.
- Plan with precision: Manage all aspects of event planning, from vision to execution, while keeping stakeholders engaged.
- Deliver results: Effectively manage multiple projects, prioritize competing demands, and meet deadlines.
- Think audience-first: Create targeted content that resonates with caregivers, stakeholders, and broader communities.
- Stay organized: Maintain structured documentation and digital systems that support efficiency.
- Collaborate effectively: Work seamlessly across teams and departments, bridging silos to achieve common goals.
- Align with mission: Be deeply committed to improving mental health outcomes and scaling innovative solutions across Africa.
- Show resourcefulness: Thrive in ambiguity with a proactive, entrepreneurial mindset.
Why Join Shamiri?
Working at Shamiri means joining a team that is not only passionate about mental health but also committed to creating long-lasting impact. Here’s what you can expect:
- Meaningful Work: Every project you touch will directly contribute to improving lives and advancing mental health solutions across Africa.
- Collaborative Culture: You’ll work alongside passionate professionals in a supportive and mission-driven environment.
- Growth Opportunities: This role offers exposure to diverse projects, communities, and stakeholders, providing fertile ground for career growth.
- Innovation Hub: Shamiri thrives on creativity, allowing you to test new ideas, explore trends, and shape best practices.
- Impact at Scale: Your efforts will help strengthen Shamiri’s visibility, networks, and partnerships—amplifying our reach and influence.
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking a mid-level professional who brings energy, creativity, and execution skills to the table. This role is best suited to someone who enjoys engaging diverse communities, has a knack for event planning, and can balance high-level strategic thinking with on-the-ground delivery.
If you thrive in dynamic environments, are motivated by mission-driven work, and are eager to help shape how Shamiri engages communities across Africa, we would love to hear from you.
How to Apply
If this role excites you and you want to contribute to Shamiri’s mission of improving mental health across Africa, we invite you to submit your application.
