Position Summary

The Communications Specialist works closely with the Country Project Manager to develop and carry out the communications strategy for MEDA’s Greater Rural Opportunities for Women (GROW) in Ghana. This strategy will include two broad elements:

•   Communications to increase awareness and understanding of the GROW project through professional-looking and visually engaging videos, electronic marketing materials, web site, reports, manuals and media.
•   Facilitating development of sustainable access to information by project participants, for example, working with a range of information sources and media to stimulate development and delivery of information designed to help women farmers improve productivity, harvest and sale of their production.

The work of the Communications Specialist will involve hands-on design and delivery of project communications products as well as coordinating and working collaboratively with media companies to achieve sustainable information services to women farmers and other project stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

•   Develop Communication and Media Campaign strategies for CIDA’s GROW Project to ensure potential reach to target audiences and awareness raising of the aims and objectives of the project within wider society
•   Ensure the branding of the project is to approved standards and guidelines
•   Liaise closely with key players to ensure a coherent approach to media and publicity
•   Identify opportunities for co-operation on awareness raising with other stakeholders, donors and relevant programmes
•   Develop and maintain a GROW project website that meets standards set by MEDA HQ Communications
•   Develop and regularly issue a newsletter, press releases and articles related to the project.
•   Make and maintain pro-active contact and working relationships with journalists and relevant stakeholders from print and broadcast media networks at both local and national levels
•   Ensure compliance with CIDA’s expectations regarding review and approval of project publicity materials in advance of circulation
•   Liaise with sources of information that are important to farmers participating in the GROW project with the goal of facilitating sustainable sources of information regarding agricultural production, marketing, nutrition and other critical information.

Internal Communication

•   To lead on the facilitation and communication of corporate communication.
•   Ensure quality of written material produced by project staff is of an acceptable international standard.
•   Collaborate with and support country staff in information sharing, identifying and generating regular stories and identifying communication opportunities to illustrate project’s development programmes.

Products

•   Production of regular printed newsletters for partners, donors and other stakeholders
•   Disseminate widely programme outputs using the website, newsletters, media and other communication tools
•   Produce publicity materials and guidelines and disseminate widely and as appropriate.
•   Resource case studies and develops press releases, stories, and other relevant media products.
•   Assist Country Project Manager in the production of annual reports and other key documents.

Website and Database

•   Ensure website is regularly updated, including monitoring the appropriateness of its content, and whether it meets the needs of the target audience
•   Establish contact with and maintain a database of prominent journalists.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Mass Communication graduate
•   At least 5 years of experience in communications or media-related work
•   Experience working with international NGO as communications specialist is an advantage
•   Superb and proven communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
•   Ability to work independently to achieve results as well as contributing as part of a team.
•   Strong project management skills in working with both key internal and external stakeholders and suppliers.
•   Experience in website designing or as a contributor is an advantage.
•   Private sector experience a plus.
•   Appreciation and support of MEDA’s faith, values and goals

Location: Tamale

How To Apply For The Job

Please send your letter of application and resume with three (3) professional references to:

lkadiri@meda.org

Closing Date: 22 August, 2013