Communication officer

Organizational Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kenya works to eradicate poverty and protect the planet, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals and national priorities. The Environment and Resilience Unit focuses on climate action, including the Solar Cooling Project. This project aims to reduce post-harvest losses and emissions by expanding solar-powered cold storage, creating jobs, benefiting smallholder farmers, and leveraging private capital. It supports Kenya's climate goals and sustainable agriculture strategy.

Job Purpose

This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment supports UNDP Kenya's Solar Cooling Project within the Environment and Resilience Unit. The Communication Officer will lead project communications, visibility, knowledge management, and learning initiatives. The role is crucial for ensuring that project evidence from technical, policy, financing, and implementation workstreams is systematically captured, transformed into accessible knowledge products, and effectively shared with diverse stakeholders. This contribution is vital for the project's success in driving market-led expansion of solar-powered cold storage, raising awareness, providing training, and strengthening the enabling environment for climate-smart agriculture and emission reduction.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement the project’s communication and knowledge management workplan, maintaining a communications calendar and coordinating inputs from various stakeholders. Create compelling content, including news articles, case studies, human interest stories, policy briefs, and social media posts, translating technical information into accessible language for different audiences. Establish and maintain a repository for project knowledge resources, documenting results, lessons learned, and best practices to develop knowledge products that support policy and investment. Manage digital communication channels, updating the UNDP Kenya website and social media, preparing press releases, and engaging with media. Support the planning and execution of workshops, webinars, and stakeholder forums, tailoring materials for diverse groups. Ensure all communication products adhere to branding and visibility requirements, reviewing materials for accuracy and clarity. Monitor communication results, gather stakeholder feedback, and prepare regular updates for UNDP and project partners.

Work Experience

Requires at least seven years of relevant professional experience in communication, journalism, public relations, development communication, or knowledge management. Experience in developing and implementing communication plans, translating technical information, documenting project results, and managing digital communication platforms is essential. Experience supporting events and stakeholder engagement is also required. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic visual content creation tools is necessary.

Skills

Key competencies include strategic communication, storytelling, stakeholder engagement, integrity, results orientation, accountability, adaptability, creativity, judgment, planning, and professionalism. Specific technical skills include digital and social media management, knowledge of climate change and environmental issues, and proficiency in communication and advocacy. Familiarity with UNDP communication standards is desirable.

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