Media and Communications Director Africare

Africare is a leader among private, charitable U.S. organizations assisting Africa. Africare is also the oldest and largest African-American led organization in the field. Africare's programs address needs in three principal areas: Agriculture & Food Security, Health & HIV/AIDS, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene.

Throughout its 40 year history, Africare has reached 30 million people across the continent with innovative, sustainable, culturally appropriate and life-changing projects to improve the quality of life in communities throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. We strategically invest in innovating and implementing community-based solutions to complex problems, with a strong focus on skills transfer to create leaders out of beneficiaries. Our work has transformed communities and garnered wide recognition for its impact and sustainability.

Africare’s 1,400 staff members operate in 36 countries across Africa. Headquarters is based in Washington, DC where the President’s office and the Finance, Development, and Operations Departments are based.

With interest in Africa’s economic potential consistently growing throughout the world, now is an ideal time to launch renewed efforts to enlarge our base of private support. Africare is seeking a Media & Communications Director to develop Africare’s communication strategy and contribute to the organizational strategic planning process.

Serving as an integral member of the senior management team, the Media & Communications Director will be responsible for The Media & Communications Director will develop a communications and media plan for the organization, directly managing activities that promote and enhance Africare’s brand. The role is also responsible for developing, integrating and implemented a broad range of public relations activities relative to the strategic direction and positioning of Africare and its leadership. This individual will be an ambassador for the organization and will need to build relationships with the media. The Media & Communications Director will be responsible for Africare’s integrated communications products and services including: newsletters and other print publications, website, social media communications and marketing.

Responsibilities: • Develop a communications blueprint to be shared with the CEO and other key stakeholders, integrating measures to assess and utilize internal and external channels such as the internet, intranet, social media, etc., positioning Africare as a leader in African development. • Map the communications plan to the organization’s overarching strategic plan, articulating goals, developing measurable performance objectives, defining target audiences and the messages that will engage them. • Partner with key stakeholders to execute a strategic approach for securing and building corporate and foundation partnerships. • Oversee the process of monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness and impact of the communications plan at set intervals, i.e. quarterly intervals using measurable indicators such as online surveys, “eyeballs” reached, etc. • Gain expert knowledge of Africare’s programmatic work, ensuring consistency of Africare’s communication materials across the organization. • Conduct primary and secondary research to gain insights on results driven communication best practices both in and outside the NGO world around Africare’s stakeholders such as government, donors, corporations, individuals, etc. • Develop and refine Africare’s brand and story ensuring consistency across the organization. • Create, manage and optimize Africare’s social media channels (Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter) and community interactions through developing ongoing relationships with donors and key social media influencers in international development. • Work closely with CEO to create strategies positioning him as a thought leader on critical worldwide issues shaping Africa. • Identify speaking opportunities to tell our story and extend Africare’s reach. • Research public speaking engagements, prepare talking points and prep speakers. • Write news releases, statements and articles to maximize publicity.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: • Master’s degree, preference given to journalism and communications degrees. • Ten+ years’ experience in public relations or communications, non-profit preference. • Experience creating media strategies for emerging international non-profits. • Excellent writing and speaking skills. Ability to articulate clear and concise thoughts. • Significant communications experience that includes a blend of advocacy and media relations. • A strong track record of positioning an organization to achieve tangible outcomes in a competitive communications environment. • Ability to coach and support organizational leaders as spokespersons. • Limited travel to field offices.

How to apply:

Applications should include a resume and cover letter. In the cover letter (of no more than two pages in length) the candidate should briefly describe his or her motivation for the position and highlight relevant experience. Successful candidate must be authorized to work in the US without sponsorship.

Please send CVs to resumes@africare.org, including Media & Communications Director in the subject line.

This position is opened until filled. Unfortunately, due to the large number of applications that we receive, we may not be able to respond to each individual candidate. Please respect our no phone calls policy.