Communications & Public Relations Manager

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Develop and lead a forward-looking communications and engagement strategy aligned to inABLE’s institutional growth, fundraising, advocacy and partnership priorities.
  
• Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leadership, ensuring organisational decisions, programs and public engagements are supported by clear, credible and audience-specific messaging.
  
• Shape inABLE’s thought leadership agenda by identifying priority issues, positioning opportunities and evidence-based messages that influence disability inclusion, digital accessibility and inclusive employment discourse.
  
• Lead message architecture, editorial planning and quality assurance across institutional communications, donor-facing materials, speeches, opinion pieces, policy briefs, annual reports and executive presentations.
  
• Anticipate emerging trends, reputational risks and public engagement opportunities, advising leadership on proactive communication responses and strategic positioning.
  

Brand Visibility and Public Relations

• Drive proactive media, public relations and brand visibility strategies that strengthen inABLE’s recognition as a leading African organisation in digital accessibility, assistive technology and disability inclusion.
  
• Build and manage high-value relationships with journalists, editors, development partners, donors, government actors, private sector stakeholders, influencers and sector networks.
  
• Develop and implement brand-building campaigns that increase awareness of inABLE’s programs, strengthen stakeholder confidence and support resource mobilisation and partnership development.
  
• Lead the communications strategy for flagship convenings, campaigns and conferences, ensuring they generate visibility, stakeholder engagement, media coverage and policy or partnership influence.
  
• Oversee reputation and crisis communications, ensuring timely, values-based and strategic responses that protect and enhance inABLE’s credibility.
  

Development Communication, Storytelling and Knowledge Management

• Lead development communication efforts that translate inABLE’s program results, research, innovations and lived-experience stories into compelling content for donors, partners, policymakers, media and the public.
  
• Establish a systematic approach for documenting, packaging and disseminating impact stories, beneficiary voices, case studies, learning briefs, research findings and program milestones.
  
• Work closely with program, MEL and partnerships teams to convert data and evidence into clear narratives that demonstrate change at individual, institutional, market and systems levels.
  
• Supervise the production of high-quality reports, articles, multimedia stories, videos, newsletters, web content and digital campaigns that inspire action and show measurable results.
  
• Ensure communications outputs strengthen learning, influence policy and practice, support fundraising, and reinforce inABLE’s credibility as an evidence-driven organisation.
  

Digital Communications and Community Building

• Lead an integrated digital communications strategy that grows inABLE’s online visibility, audience engagement, community participation and advocacy reach.
  
• Ensure inABLE’s website, social media channels, newsletters and digital platforms are accessible, dynamic, inclusive, on-brand and aligned with the organisation’s voice and values.
  
• Use audience insights, analytics and performance data to refine content strategy, improve campaign effectiveness and demonstrate communications contribution to organisational growth.
  
• Build online communities of champions, alumni, partners, advocates and supporters who amplify inABLE’s mission and expand its influence.
  

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, International Relations, Development Communication, Marketing or a related field; a Master’s degree is preferred.
  
• At least 8–10 years of progressive experience in strategic communications, public relations, corporate affairs, development communication or brand leadership, preferably in international development, nonprofit, social impact or policy environments.
  
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement communications strategies that support organisational growth, visibility, influence, fundraising and stakeholder engagement.
  
• Strong track record in thought leadership, executive communications, media relations, brand positioning and public engagement.
  
• Excellent ability to translate program results, evidence and human-interest stories into persuasive content for diverse audiences, including donors, policymakers, media, partners and communities.
  
• Strong understanding of donor-funded programming, advocacy, disability inclusion, digital inclusion or related development sectors.
  
• Experience managing communications teams, consultants, vendors, digital platforms, campaigns, events and budgets.
  
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, stakeholder management and interpersonal communication skills.
  
• Experience in crisis communications, reputational risk management, strategic advisory and cross-functional leadership.