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Africa Lead Position: Communications assistant, East and Southern Africa

Location: Nairobi, Kenya (with in-country and periodic international travel) Period of Performance: August 01 , 2016 – September 30, 2018 (funding dependent) Background: The USAID Building Capacity for African Agricultural Transformation (Africa Lead II) Project is a five-year effort to support and advance the agricultural transformation in Africa as proposed by the African Union Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP), while simultaneously contributing to the Feed the Future goals of reduced hunger and poverty, by building the capacity of men and women African leaders, institutions and stakeholders to develop, lead, and manage the structures needed for the transformation process. This project has three components:

• The establishment of institutional/organizational architecture to lead African agriculture transformation at the national and regional levels, operating at the highest level of effectiveness;
• The operationalization of capacity to manage policy change and alignment process; and
• The effective participation and leading when necessary, of Non-State Actors (NSAs) in the CAADP process.

The Opportunity: Africa Lead seeks a communications assistant to join the regional communications and knowledge management team based in Nairobi, Kenya. Due to the broad nature and complexity of issues and institutions addressed by Africa Lead, the position requires creative and conceptual thinking, organization, and a dedication to detailed planning. The position requires a strong writer and experience working on digital media communications systems in a professional setting. Qualifications, Background and Experience: The Communications Assistant will be responsible for coordinating with the regional program team to develop, publish, and disseminate knowledge products using various communications technologies. The position will contribute to the production of communications and knowledge products by: performing issue research and conducting program participant interviews; writing, formatting, and editing communications materials; publishing and distributing content on web platforms and social media, and assisting the communications and knowledge team in various strategic communications projects. Specific qualifications include:

• 3+ years of work experience in the field of communications and/or agriculture sector advocacy
• Proven ability to develop high quality publications (both print and media), including reports, presentations, and other materials.
• Demonstrated experience in project and/or communications campaign management
• Website management and/or experience with web based content management systems
• Experience in social media writing and campaign management
• Computer literate in Microsoft Office mandatory
• Knowledge of and experience using graphic/editorial design programs (Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office) a plus
• Preferred education: Bachelor’s degree or higher – areas of study preferred for position:  journalism, communications, or related field.  Commensurate work experience will be considered in lieu of degree.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills, creative problem solving, conflict and ethical management skills
• Fluent English language skills required, fluency in Swahili a plus

Duties and Responsibilities: Core responsibilities coordinating with the regional program team to develop, publish, and disseminate knowledge products using various communications technologies. The position will contribute to the production of communications and knowledge products by: performing issue research and conducting program participant interviews; writing, formatting, and editing communications materials; publishing and distributing content on web platforms and social media, and assisting the communications and knowledge team in various strategic communications projects. Core responsibilities include :

• Conducting in-depth research and writing for the development of knowledge products,
• Formatting and branding of technical reports and collateral material using Microsoft Office based software; Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint; and Adobe Creative Suite
• Conduct interviews with a journalism style approach in order to develop impact stories
• Draft and finalize impact stories on a regular basis
• Write, produce, and send email newsletters

Additional duties include but are not limited to:

• Assist with the writing, editing, and design of knowledge products including, communications plans, project progress reports, and success stories
• Assist with the tracking of all communications team activities and proposed activities
• Manage regional editorial calendar for knowledge product production and publishing
• Write, edit, and update website content for regional office
• Assist the communications and knowledge team to implement the ALII ESA strategic communications plan
• Assist with stakeholder outreach by planning and writing content for  traditional media, social media, and events
• Help in the research, design, coordination, and development of communications materials such as video, web, print, and various other formats
• Possible East Africa regional travel may be required

Supervision: This position will report to the East and Southern Africa regional communications and knowledge manager but will collaborate closely with other communications team staff and other regional staff as necessary to ensure the smooth implementation of activities. PERFORMANCE CRITERIA: Africa Lead II is a performance-based project, highly dependent on individuals and team core competencies. Each staff member will participate in a semi-annual evaluation and receive feedback. Based on this evaluation, decisions related to promotion or salary increase will be made. If you believe you qualify for this job, kindly submit a cover letter, your CV, and 3 writing samples to by August 01, 2016. 

AFRICA LEAD SEEKS A DONOR COORDINATION SPECIALISTS IN EAST AFRICA

Africa Lead requires a Donor Coordination Specialist to provide administrative, knowledge management and coordination support among development partners as well as Kenyan stakeholders in government, private sector and civil society. The deadline for applications is June 20. Donor Coordination Specialist - advert

Africa Lead Annual Report (October 2014-September 2015)

Africa Lead turns 3! Our work in support of transformational leaders in Africa is embarking upon its third year. Read how Champions for Change across Africa in the public, private, and civil society sectors are engaging in processes that are propelling the Africa Union's commitment to agricultural transformation forward. AFRICA LEAD ANNUAL REPORT - OCT 2015

AFRICA LEAD SEEKS THREE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS IN EAST AFRICA

Africa Lead is seeking to fill three Program Management Specialist positions. Each one will manage specific portfolios of programs in Kenya, Tanzania, and East Africa regionally. Full details are on the following announcement. The deadline for applications is September 17. Programs Management Specialist - advert (revised)

SUPPORT FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE IN AFRICAN AGRICULTURE: JULY 2015 UPDATE

Champion for Change networks, regional, national and county governments, civil society organizations, and commercial agribusinesses are the forces of change that Africa Lead supports. For an update on our recent activities, check out our latest Quarterly Report (April–June 2015). The report and Executive Summary can be viewed here. To enable interactive features in the full report, download the PDF. Africa Lead II Qtr Report Apr-June 2015 Annex I-II Africa Lead II Qtr Report Apr-Jun - Title & Exec (7-31-15)

NEW RESEARCH ON FERTILIZER SUBSIDY PROGRAM IMPACT

The July 31 update from Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy (FSP) has been published sharing their recent research (more…)

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA) FOR ORGANIZATIONAL STRENGTHENING CAPACITY BUILDING (OSC) GRANTS

Africa Lead seeks grant applications from any legally registered eligible organization that has experience in organizational strengthening activities to develop the knowledge and skills of non-state actors (NSA) organizations to be able to effectively advocate for and effectively engage in agricultural transformation. This request for applications is the mechanism for Africa Lead to award small grants to eligible Africa Lead Networks (or network host organization) and Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) technical assistance beneficiaries to: (1) improve organizational/institutional capacity of NSAs to design, implement, manage, and scale up agricultural/food security development and policy support programs (2) establish and reinforce a results-oriented and learning culture within critical African agriculture organizations; (3) create new and innovative partnerships and leveraging opportunities to expand scope and outreach of our programs. Review application instructions posted here. OSC_RFA July 2015 FINAL 07.28.15

CALLING ALL CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGE IN GHANA

Africa Lead is building on its existing Training of Trainers (TOT) program to develop and deliver an improved Training of Trainers program and build a volunteer core group of certified Africa Lead Ghanaian trainers and facilitators to provide training and facilitation services on behalf of Africa Lead’s mandate to promote agricultural transformation in Africa. Please review the cover letter and application form for further details. Deadline is 5 p.m. August 5. Cascade Training TOT Call for application_FINAL 07.27.15

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT YOUNG PROFESSIONALS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM ** Closing Date: 1 September, 2015

Africa Lead seeks young professionals interested in pursuing development opportunities to facilitate more efficient agricultural production, stronger agribusinesses, and agricultural development institutions. Five positions are available. Placement terms will be for 12 months with anticipated postings in ECOWAS member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Cape Verde. Housing, monthly stipend, living allowances, round-trip airfare, and related travel expenses to worksite will be covered. Download the document for more details. Ag Dev Young Prof Internship Program JULY 2015 FINAL V3

AFRICA LEAD SEEKS SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER FOR EAST AFRICA ** AUGUST 11, 2015 DEADLINE

Africa Lead is seeking a senior program manager to oversee the design, planning, implementation and monitoring of the East Africa program. Because of the broad nature and complexity of issues and institutions addressed by Africa Lead, the position requires outstanding conceptual, technical design and management skills. The East Africa Program Lead will have primary responsibility for leading and overseeing regional program activities. Application deadline is August 11, 2015. Further details and application instructions are on the accompanying announcement. East Africa Program Lead Advert