Communications Specialist

Feed the Future Value Chain is recruiting a Communications Specialist, to be based in Maputo, Mozambique.

Description

• The Feed the Future Mozambique Value Chain Activity is a USAID-funded program implemented by DAI aimed at increasing equitable growth of the Mozambican agricultural sector by increasing agricultural productivity and expanding agricultural markets and trade in eight value chains covering 26 districts in the Nampula, Zambezia, Manica, and Tete regions of Mozambique
• The project uses a market systems development approach and focuses on groundnut, sesame, soybean, common bean, cowpea, pigeon pea, banana, and cashew value chains

Duties

• He/She will be responsible for leading all formal communications and publications related to Inova that target outside audiences
• He/She will assist Inova and Inova’s market partners (beneficiaries) to develop and implement communication strategies for behavioral change, to induce increased adoption of improved farming practices and agricultural inputs
• In order to fulfil his/her role, the Communication Specialist will manage a set of budgetary and human resources
• The Specialist will be expected to develop her/his own work program and propose activities to the M&E Manager and Chief of Party
• Inova’s communication activities: The Communications Specialist will lead formal communication with USAID, government and other stakeholders, including, public relations, public outreach and knowledge capture through cases and analyses of Inova’s strategies and interventions
• The specific tasks related to Inova’s communication activities are:
• Work with the Technical and M&E Teams to develop Inova’s Annual Communication Plan
• Prepare Quarterly and Annual Reports and other client requirements as needed
• Manage the Activity’s social media platform
• Direct Visual Media Specialists to develop media content to document beneficiary progress and market changes
• Ensure compliance with the Feed the Future Branding and Marking Plan
• Document Inova’s Activity’s Collaboration Learning and Adapting (CLA) through periodic updates, newsletters or reports on the project’s approach to learning and adaptation
• From Year 2 of Inova, provide consistent supply (at least one per month) of short, USAID-formatted success stories highlighting a partner intervention or a result achieved by Inova
• Apply communications tools and concepts to help technical teams understand and incorporate information flow and feedback loop tools
• Support the technical teams in reviewing and adapting based on lessons learned/captured in case studies
• Commission research and supervise the writing of analytical case studies that are evidence driven and draw lessons from Inova’s work, the challenges and lessons of applying a systemic approach
• Activities related to supporting partners with communications strategy: Contract and provide technical assistance to outside communications, media and public relations firms as needed
• Establish market linkages with lead marketing organizations and market players supported by Inova
• Develop a network of relationships with Mozambican media outlets, such as newspapers, TV and radios with the aim of supporting their programming and thinking on delivering media content addressing the improvement of agriculture
• Researching, learning and disseminating ideas on cost-effective communication and outreach strategies that partners could test in partnership with Inova
• Measure the success of existing communication practices
• Supervise the undertaking of key Inova’s research projects related to communication, such as a media landscape and digital insights

Requisites

• Master Degree in Communications or other Social Sciences
• At least 3 years of experience in Communication
• Fluency in English
• Good communications skills with the ability to write and edit a wide range of communications materials
• Creative thinker who is able to work independently and prioritize with particular attention to detail
• Good interpersonal skills, high energy, self-starter with strong team-oriented spirit
• Preferred: Prior knowledge and exposure to a market systems approach or value chain analysis

Notes

• Only short listed applicants will be contacted