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Job Title: Communication Specialist – USEEP

Organisation: Ministry of Education and Sports

Duty Station:  Kampala, Uganda with frequent travel to the project sites.

Reports to: Project Coordinator USEEP

 

About US:

The Ministry of Education and Sports is a cabinet-level ministry of Uganda. It is mandated “to provide technical support, guide, coordinate, regulate and promote quality education, training and sports to all persons in Uganda for national integration, development and individual advancement”, according to the website of the ministry.

 

Background

The Government of Uganda has received credit from the World Bank towards implementation of the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project USEEP. The Project Development Objective is to enhance access to lower secondary education by focusing on underserved populations in targeted areas. Underserved populations include communities hosting refugees, refugees, girls and people in the targeted areas with limited access to public lower secondary schools.

 

Job Summary:  The Communications Specialist will work within the MoES communications structures in planning, designing, implementing and carrying out USEEP communication activities, including the development a communications strategy and plan. S/he will draft information, content and/or products for public access, create and maintain the USEEP public communication information systems on the MoES social platforms (such as Twitter, MoES website, Facebook, etc.), in accordance with the Bank’s communication and media guidelines. The specialist shall ensure timely and regular information dissemination and sharing of information to stakeholders and will be the focal media liaison officer for the project.

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Develop and implement USEEP communications strategy

• Develop and implement USEEP communications strategy with clear objectives, practical implementation plan, a budget estimate, a brand concept, crisis/reputational risks communication plan and a mechanism to monitor its implementation.
• Coordinate the  develop  the  Project’s  Communication  Strategy  for  internal  and  External Audience;
• Ensure the Strategy is reviewed in coordination with the PCU, MOES Management and the World Bank’s Communication Function;
• Oversee the development of various communication types to reach the targeted project audiences;
• Monitor and evaluate USEEP Communication Strategy implementation.

Production of outreach and dissemination assets

• Assess IEC needs of the Project stakeholders;
• In consultation with the relevant and support technical offices, draft outreach materials including project factsheet/summaries, success stories and sector summaries where applicable;
• Prepare media releases, statements and media briefing notes, and secure clearances, working in conjunction with relevant focal points and being sensitive to needs of both internal and external audiences.
• Develop cutting-edge media materials, including videos and social media products.
• Ensure the Information materials are adequately disseminated to the various stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement

• In collaboration with social development specialists, identify and engage with key stakeholders especially the project beneficiaries, communities etc to ensure awareness and project ownership

Develop and Maintain a Good Public Image and understanding of the USEEP and its activities.

• Maintain collaborative relationships with all Project and MoES staff;
• Develop and continuously update stakeholder contact database and communication system;
• Assess information needs of key stakeholders as well as public relations;
• Regularly furnish stakeholders with information on the implementation progress of the project.
• Promote a positive culture and image of the project among stakeholders;
• Develop and execute a clear dissemination plan for USEEP’s achievements and milestones to various stakeholders;
• Facilitate the resolution of disputes with external role-players

Media Management

• Act as the primary interface on communications matters between USEEP PCU and the external audiences;
• Develop and maintain a media contact database;
• Regularly scan and oversee media publications on USEEP and maintain a record of them;
• Identify and develop project story lines for diverse media channels;
• Organize strategic media coverage of Project activities;
• Actively maintain media relations for USEEP, ensuring that media (and other important external stakeholders, such as governments, development partners etc) are briefed regularly on issues of importance to USEEP;
• Monitor news that may have a bearing on USEEP and the education sector at large; identify key moments for proactive communications;
• Contribute to the development of news-driven and authoritative content; Engage with journalists and public audiences via social media channels;
• Oversee all press conferences and field events related to USEEP activities. This may involve participating in advance team planning activities, coordinating event schedules etc;
• Ensure that relevant USEEP media products are contained in the kits distributed at press events or at key functions.
• Organize media events for the project implementation team and other stakeholders on public and private media; and
• In coordination with Senior Managers, provide responses to media enquiries and issues in the media;

Develop and Manage key USEEP Online Platforms

• Develop relevant Project Social media platforms including twitter, Facebook and linked-in platforms;
• Develop content for project online platforms;
• Establish and regularly update the Project page on the MoES Website.

Events Management

• Assist the Ministry or PCU with logistics of all USEEP/ MoES sponsored events as assigned. Events may include: Journalist and student development exposure tours, VIP site visits, press conferences, round table discussions, celebration of international development days, leadership seminars, etc.
• Brand Project Public and internal events;
• Produce event press releases;
• Prepare speeches for USEEP public events.

Crisis and reputational risks management

• In liaison with the Project Coordinator and the PCU team, develop a crisis and reputational risks management plan in consultation with the World Banks communications team and ensure crisis and reputational risks’ communication is embedded in the project’s communications strategy;

Regularly Produce Project Reports and related publications

• Support the editing/ proofreading and dissemination of monthly, quarterly and annual technical reports;
• Support the production and dissemination of Quarterly Newsletters;
• Support the production and dissemination of Annual Project Public Reports;
• Support the production of project briefs and write-ups for various publications.

Lead Project behavioural change communication

• Keep abreast with evolving policy developments and strategies in secondary education in the country;
• Analyse policy papers, strategies, national plans and various development frameworks and briefing papers for dialogue;
• Analyse project reports, prepare and share learning experience, case studies and success stories to increase knowledge, influence attitudes and improve implementation and replication by future projects;

Build Capacity of Project staff and other stakeholders

• Capacity assessment of Staff and other stakeholders in communication related capacity gaps;
• Develop a capacity building plan for Project and other stakeholders;
• Organize and facilitate learning and capacity sessions that can contribute to overall improvement of staff and others stakeholder contribution to the implementation of the Strategy;

 

Key Deliverables:

• USEEP Communication Strategy developed and implemented;
• Well Developed Stakeholder database;
• A network of Reporters that publish Project activities
• Well Developed Project Pages on the MoES Website;
• Online Project platforms on Facebook, Twitter and linked-in
• Staff Capacity development Strategy and Plan;
• Project Branding guideline;
• Annual Project Work plans and Budgets.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The ideal applicant must hold a Master’s degree in Development Communication and 5 years’ experience or a Bachelor’s degree and 10 years’ experience in communication, journalism, public relations, media studies from a recognised University. A Post Graduate Degree in a communications, public relations or journalism related field will be an added advantage;
• Demonstrable professional work experience in development/project communication, as a journalist or a public relations practitioner.
• Excellent written and oral English communication skills
• Proven ability to develop information, education and communication materials
• Demonstrable experience in development and implementation of development communications strategies
• Work experience in the Public Sector or large private organisation or Non-Government Organisation is an added advantage.
• Proven experience in effectively managing relationships with media, government officials, the public and development partners is an added advantage.
• A working knowledge of media relations, social media management and events planning is required.
• Strong organizational skills, analytical abilities and initiative to prioritize and complete tasks with minimal supervision
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines
• Ability to establish and maintain collegial relations with press and media contacts
• Excellent inter-personal skills to ensure effective team relations.
• Strong organizational skills to effectively plan a variety of different events directed at promoting publicity for the project.
• Proven integrity and confidentiality in handling public resources and in executing duties.

 

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested Individuals should submit sealed applications accompanied with certified Copies of their academic documents and detailed Resume giving full details of the applicants’ education, qualifications, experience, three referees with their full address, e-mail and telephone contacts as well as the candidate’s full address, telephone number and e-mail to the address below;

 

The Permanent Secretary,

Ministry of Education and Sports; and delivered to

Ministry Registry, Plot 9/11 King George VI Way,

Embassy House, 4th Floor, Room 1,

Kampala. Uganda

 

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

 

Deadline: 22^nd August 2022 at 5:00pm

 

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