Corporate Communications Officer (MCG/IE 4)

Key Responsibilities

Management/Administrative: 

• Develops Individual Work Plans based on alignment to the overall plan for the section;
• Participates in meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences, as required;
• Prepares reports and programme documents, as required; 
• Maintains customer service principles, standards and measurements. 

Technical/Professional: 

• Assists in the development and implementation of communications and engagement plans to support taskforce initiatives and monitor their effectiveness to identify opportunities for improvement; 
• Maintains effective internal communication mechanisms such as Microsoft Teams, newsletters, intranet updates, staff briefings, internal working groups, and support briefings for senior managers and governance groups; 
• Delivers and maintains effective external communication mechanisms including input to annual reports, consultation processes such as community and agency workshop design and delivery and public submissions processes, webinars, website updates, managing and tracking messaging for key announcements, and supporting interagency and stakeholder working groups; 
• Implements and maintains effective branding strategies and standards for the MoAFM
• Prepares and conducts communications needs assessments for the MoAFM Divisions, projects and programmes; 
• Works with public relations staff to monitor media, draft responses to media requests, draft media releases, and prepare agency and Ministerial correspondence; 
• Coordinates the production of communication materials and publications, including scoping requirements with stakeholders, developing content (written materials, images, video and audio), co-ordinating approvals and disseminating the final product; 
• Assists in the planning of MoAFM and community events, as directed by the Executive Management and Events Management Team; 
• Maintains communication and relationships with internal and external stakeholders (including maintaining systems to track stakeholder contacts and input) to identify opportunities for collaboration, and influence and negotiate communication requirements 
• Observes and reports on social, economic and political trends that might impact the Ministry’s public relations strategy; 
• Uses data collection procedures to facilitate the validation of quantitative and qualitative monitoring tools to support the public relations function; 
• Conducts analysis of quantitative data as well as qualitative data on all public education programme inputs, outputs and outcomes in MoAFM and its subjects; 
• Assists in coordinating operational analysis and programme evaluation on services, programmes, and projects assigned to the Division; 
• Provides input for long-range corporate communications planning on the MoAFM core functions to establish future opportunities and challenges; 
• Keeps abreast of the new methods and developments in Public Relations, especially in the context of the Public Service and Agricultural, Fisheries and Mining Management.

Human Resource: 

• Contributes to and maintains a system that fosters a culture of teamwork, employee empowerment and commitment to the Division’s and organization’s goals;
• Assists with the preparation and conducts presentations on role of Division/Unit for the Orientation and Onboarding programme; 
• Performs all other related duties and functions as may be required from time to time.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core: 

• Good Oral Communication skills 
• Good Written Communication skills 
• Good Analytical Thinking skills 
• Good Problem Solving and Problem-Solving skills 
• Good Teamwork and Cooperation skills 
• Good Customer Relations and Quality Focus skills 
• Good Planning and Organizing skills 
• Ability to influence and motivate others 
• Integrity 
• Ability to apply initiative 
• Compliance 
• Change Management 
• Good Interpersonal skills 

Technical: 

• Knowledge of Corporate Communication principles and practices 
• Experience in contributing to communication strategies/plans and coordinating communication channels 
• Experience in communicating in a relevant subject area such as Agriculture and Mining sector 
• Ability to foster and maintain a good working relationship with the media
• Good understanding of the machinery of Government, political processes and the requirements of Ministers and other officials 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and other programme applications (PowerPoint and Publisher) appropriate to assigned responsibilities 
• A strong sense of trust and a high level of confidentiality and integrity 
• Strong interpersonal, communication and relationship building skills with ability to consult and provide advice to all levels of the organization 
• Ability to work independently and contribute effectively as a team member to achieve goals
• Strong organisational and time management skills with an ability to prioritize and manage workload, meet deadlines and adapt to changing circumstances 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Media/Communication Studies, Mass Communication or a related discipline; 
• Two (2) years’ experience in a Public Relations/Media and Communications environment. 

Special Conditions Associated with the Job

• Work will be conducted in an office outfitted with standard office equipment and specialized software. 
• The environment is fast paced with on-going interactions with critical stakeholders and meeting tight deadlines which will result in high degrees of pressure, on occasions.
• Will be required to travel locally and internationally to attend conferences, seminars and meetings

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.