Communications Officer, GMSC

Relevant Experience and Qualifications

• A Bachelors degree in communications, public relations, or a related field from a recognized university is required.
  
• Professional qualification in a related field (e.g., Chartered Institute of Marketing, International Association on Business Communicators) is preferred.
  
• At least three (3) years of experience in media, corporate and/or strategic communications, or public relations.
  
• Demonstrated experience with digital and print marketing and communications (including writing and editing).
  
• In-depth understanding of marketing and communications value and use of popular social media platforms major (e.g. LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, YouTube, SlideShare).
  
• Demonstrated experience creating successful communications strategies.
  
• Knowledge of web content management.
  
• Understanding of stakeholder/community engagement.
  
• Events management experience.
  
• Professional experience in curating digital/social media, is required; radio or TV experience is highly desired.
  
• Experience managing an agency or contractors is desired.
  
• Deep knowledge of the Kenyan and East African media industry with contacts within various media organizations.
  
• Issues management and crisis communications.
  
• Experience in teaching and training practicing professionals is desired
  
• Knowledge of the AKU/AKDN is desired.
  
• Excellent writer and critical thinker – an innovative and creative “thinker-doer” with a flexible, entrepreneurial approach to the job.
  
• Digital native, detail-oriented, polished, and diplomatic.
  
• Highly energetic self-starter able to build relationships and work collegially and effectively with colleagues and clients.
  
• Superior multi-tasker who enjoys pressure, able to work quickly and independently.
  
• Understanding of today’s media and communication landscape and best practices – from strategic communications planning and proactive messaging to reactive communications and crisis mitigation.
  
• Understanding of audience segmentation and how to anticipate and target communications to a variety of audiences – general public, corporate, higher education, media, NGOs, and government – both online and offline.
  
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of social media platforms and their participants (Facebook, Digg, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr, etc.)
  
• Experience in brand-building online and offline.
  
• Commitment to AKU’s vision and values.
  

• Develop, implement, evaluate, and maintain a social media/web strategy
  
• Help grow the GSMC brand
  
• Manage GSMC’s social media presence across relevant channels – Facebook, YouTube, Twitter – ensuring consistent and well-curated content
  
• Support the development of a media-relevant platform and assist GSMC faculty to communicate their teaching, writing, and research.
  
• Develop a regular newsletter on GSMC’s activities, as well as media topics of special relevance to regional media and communications professionals.
  
• Act as the voice of GSMC in our own and other social media communities
  
• Monitor trends, applications, and new developments in traditional and social media
  
• Curate the GSMC website, creating rich and creative content from the region that is optimized for search engines
  
• Curate articles on hot topics or ongoing important issues
  
• Develop, maintain, and improve the GSMC website, including drafting, editing, and posting content
  
• Develop and execute internal and external communication plans and promotional material in collaboration with the Dean and senior GSMC Management
  
• Develop dynamic marketing and promotional campaigns to raise public awareness, recruit students, and assist in fund-raising
  
• Create compelling messages and stories about GSMC for potential clients and donors
  
• Create stakeholder maps in developing communication strategies, refreshed regularly based on internal and external feedback
  
• Collaborative with AKU’s Office of Strategic Communications in messaging and strategy, particularly the design of promotional materials
  
• Contribute to internal AKU newsletters and reports, profiling GSMC activities
  
• Work effectively with Aga Khan Development Network affiliates (AKF, ADKN, EAI, etc) on overlapping communications interests/tasks
  
• Help organize public events and seminars to raise GSMC’s public profile
  
• Understand and “ride” the latest media trends to advance the priorities of the school.
  
• Writing speeches and/or developing talking points for team members, where necessary.
  
• Work with regional media houses to showcase the school’s activities; book, the school’s experts for interviews, TV and radio appearances, and conferences that raise the school’s profile
  
• Monitor and report monthly on communications performance metrics and personal objectives
  
• Manage fast-response or crisis communications
  
• Actively seek opportunities to leverage GSMC faculty expertise (e.g., media interviews, web chats, etc.)
  
• Write media releases and produce content that publicizes GSMC’s work
  
• Build relationships with media groups, tech hubs, NGOs, and other interested communities to enhance the brand and identity of the GSMC
  
• Help develop innovative, original, and strategic partnerships with corporate, governmental, and non-governmental partners