Reference number: Rec/015/24

Base Location: Addis Ababa (with frequent travel to field offices)

Purpose of the position

The Senior Communication Officer (Sr.CO) will help develop, implement, and manage a communication strategy aimed at growing Cordaid Ethiopia’s audiences and stewarding its brand. The Sr.CO will leverage digital communication tools, such as social media, email, owned and earned media, to advance Cordaid Ethiopia’s visibility and underpin fundraising goals. Reporting to the Country Director, the Sr.CO will help the Country Office Programme Team to drive a strategic vision for integrated communication and development activities. S/he will be in close contact with other Cordaid’s communication colleagues worldwide.

Responsibilities and Accountability

Content Marketing and Management 

• Distill Cordaid Ethiopia’s relief and development programming activities and outcomes into engaging, accessible marketing content for a variety of audiences. Develop multi-channel marketing campaigns to drive awareness of and engagement with Cordaid Ethiopia’s mission.

Communication

• Develop communication strategies that bolster Cordaid Ethiopia’s reputation as a leading international relief and development organisation in Ethiopia. Craft messages that engage philanthropists, the press, thought leaders, and the general public. Build productive relationships with journalists, write effective pitches and press releases, edit newsletters, and plan and implement successful conference call series for donors. Work on storyboarding and production of short-form video pieces, to showcase programme delivery of Cordaid Ethiopia. Organise photo exhibition to highlight Cordaid Ethiopia’s activities

Social Media

• Devise and implement the organisation’s social media strategy. Manage all institutional social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.) with support from programme and PMEL staff whom the Country Office will provide guidance on this activity. Advise colleagues on how to build their brand on social media to promote Cordaid Ethiopia’s visibility objectives. Monitor media trends and identify opportunities to increase the organisation’s visibility and reach.

Email Marketing

• Support team members in devising and executing email strategies that effectively engage constituents. Support the team in developing email best practices for the organisation.

Initiate opportunities for media coverage

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with national and global media with support from programme colleagues.

Advertising

• Implement paid advertising campaigns that activate target audiences and meet stated goals. Strategize which platforms, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Display, etc., drive the greatest ROI.
• Work closely with Programme teams to identify advocacy priorities and develop communication strategies to support advocacy efforts.
• Regularly analyze and report on Cordaid Ethiopia communication performance

Capacity Building

• Provide media and communication training and support to staff members, partners, and beneficiaries, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge to effectively communicate about our programmes and impact

Strategy Development

• Develop and implement context-driven communication strategy and associated business planning that supports organisational strategy execution.

Stakeholder Management

• Identify, develop, and influence key stakeholders, manage expectations, and build stakeholder commitment to communication.
• Organise and facilitate internal and external events with stakeholders (Ministries Embassies, INGOs, etc.).

Reputation Management & Brand Assurance

• Promote the organisation’s brand and guard the organisation’s reputation in the national context, including crisis mitigation and response, high-level messaging, and positioning of ambassadors/spokespersons.

Attend to other duties as directed and instructed by the line manager

About You

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Communication, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or related field.
• 3-5 years of digital communication experience working for a non-profit, media outlet, marketing or ad agency preferably in an international development/aid context.
• Possess excellent skills in: Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat), Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel) and (Web) Content Management Systems. Basic design and HTML skills are strongly preferred.
• Familiar with online fundraising, email marketing and donation platforms. CRM experience is a plus.
• Keen interest in and knowledge of international relief and development or related fields; prior experience working at an international organisation strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated capacity for effective teamwork
• Excellent problem solver; eager to share out-of-the-box ideas.
• Excellent organisational abilities with strong skills in managing multiple projects.
• Fast, flexible thinker who can shift gears on short notice.
• Strong in taking initiative and proposing new ideas.
• Professional written and oral communication skills in English and Amharic (Knowledge of Oromo would be added value but not required)
• Demonstrated ability to write stories and draft communication text in English.