Delegation of the European Union to Kenya Hiring Project Officer (M/F) – Strategic Communication And Visibility

• We are looking for a Project Officer in the Cooperation Section to work on strategic communication (in particular focusing on brand awareness campaigns and content marketing) of the EU Cooperation priorities, under the supervision of the Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Kenya.

The workplace is Nairobi, for an unlimited duration contract, subject to six months’ probation and it is open to Kenya nationals and residents with a valid work permit. We offer a competitive position in a lively and multicultural environment. Full time of 37.5 hours per week (under flexible time regime), and remunerated according to a salary table in shillings, including a supplementary pension scheme and medical insurance, offered to employees and their families under certain conditions.

After recruitment, the chosen candidate will occupy a specific Local Agent job as Category 1, for a job description that can evolve according to the needs.

Main objectives

To support the EU Delegation to Kenya to raise awareness, understanding and perception of the EU’s cooperation priorities in Kenya by designing, procuring and implementing strategic communication contracts focusing on campaigns and content marketing. This includes ensuring that all strategic communication activities are of high quality. This entails coordinating efforts of the EU contractors and implementing partners in close

cooperation with Project Managers from the Cooperation Section (COOP), and in coordination with the Political, Press and Information Section (PPI).

Main tasks:

COMMUNICATION and PUBLICATION

• Contribute to implementing the communication strategy, creating higher visibility for the EU, under the supervision of the Head of Cooperation and in coordination with the Political, Press and Information Section (PPI).
• Lead in defining and implementing communication strategies, campaigns and products on EU cooperation priorities in Kenya.
• Contribute to the development, creative design and execution of Delegation virtual and printed assets and create or adapt contents for campaign material, whether digital or printed jointly with colleagues from COOP and in coordination with PPI.
• Manage the strategic communication contract under the EU-Kenya Multi-annual Indicative Programme bilateral envelope. Key responsibilities including guidance and steer, central coordination and daily interaction with contractors.
• Work in close coordination with the PPI section to ensure consistent messages and effective communication for the EU.
• Supervise strategic communication and visibility activities to be implemented by contractors and implementing partners (notably specific visibility clauses), including the observance of visibility requirements.
• Lead internal and other meetings of the COOP section on strategic communication activities.
• Support Delegation PPI colleagues and HQ with relevant information from the cooperation section to produce press material and contribute to press briefings on the EU’s partnership with Kenya.
• Extract and disseminate best practices and present strategic communication activities and their results at workshops, seminars, conferences and other public events; Facilitate exchange of experiences.
• Build a network of EU Member States communication liaison officers on cooperation priorities, in coordination with PPI.
• Strengthen Team Europe Sector’s communication efforts to enhance coherence and increase impact.

PROGRAM / PROCESS / PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Participate in the programming process for strategic communication and in general ensure coordination amongst EU funding instruments and Member States on coherent and efficient communication and visibility for EU actions.
• Manage communication contracts and procurement including selecting, negotiating and monitoring the operational and contractual aspects of strategic communication and visibility requirements.Act as operative initiating officer in the framework of the financial procedure for strategic communication actions.
• Participate in field missions in the country to ensure proper coordination of strategic communication activities as needed.
• Back-up colleague(s) according to the back-up plan.

INFORMATION and DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT

• In line with administrative rules and guidance of the Commission, ensure that all official documents are registered, filed and stored in the appropriate systems (Ares, CRIS, Opsys or any relevant database) and can be found easily.

Degree and experience required

The candidate must have:

• A University Degree in strategic communication, marketing, advertising, public relations or another related discipline.
• At least 5 years working experience in strategic communication, preferably in a local or international communication agency.
• At least 2 years working experience in contract management.

Language qualifications

• English – Proficient user (level C2[1])
• Swahili – Proficient user (level C2¹).

Computer skills

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Proven knowledge

• Campaigns design and implementation and information actions.
• Promotion (techniques; for promoting information).
• Theory, practice and development of communication.
• Assessment of the potential impact of communication activities.
• Project management including procurement and contract management.
• Opinion polls and/or qualitative studies methodologies.
• Media relations and techniques.
• Quality standards for electronic publications.

See vacancy announcement in PDF

Vacancy Announcement – PROJECT OFFICER (MF) – STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND VISIBILITY.pdf[1]      

European levels of language skills, as provided in Curriculum Vitae europass standardized.

A self-assessment grid is at the following web address: https://europa.eu/europass/pt/common-european-framework-reference