Job Opportunity at Rikolto – Communication Officer

Communication officer

Full Time

Arusha, Iringa, Mbeya

Rikolto

Rikolto (formerly VECO/Vredeseilanden) is independent NGO with more than 40 years of experience in partnering with farmer organisations and food chain actors across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Introduction

Rikolto is an international network organisation with over 40 years of experience in partnering with food chain stakeholders in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. We build bridges of trust and trade between the food industry, governments, research institutions, financial institutions and farmers’ organisations around one central question: ‘What will we eat tomorrow?’

Rikolto in East Africa secured funding from the European Union for a 4-year horticulture project in Tanzania, which aims to improve and increase market competitiveness in the sector. The project “Building Inclusive and Competitive Horticulture Businesses in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands” is implemented in partnership with Agronomos sin Frontera, Inades-Formation, MIICO Consortium and TCCIA Mbeya. The project runs from 2020 to 2024 in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, covering Katavi, Iringa, Njombe, Mbeya and Songwe.

We are currently looking for a communication officer to ensure visibility and communication about Rikolto programmes, especially for the above-mentioned project. The communication officer will work closely together with programme staff and reports to the Food Smart City East Africa Director. We are looking for someone based in Arusha, Iringa or Mbeya.

Job Purpose: To communicate about Rikolto programmes, ensure visibility and support with event organisation

Reports to: Food Smart City East Africa Director

Geographic scope: Country Regional Level

Duty Station: Arusha, Iringa or Mbeya

Responsibilities

General Communication
Development and implementation of annual communication plans
Content development for various communication products including website articles, press articles, presentations, videos, e-newsletters and social media
Identify and maintain the most effective partners and distribution channels for publishing material including development of a network of journalists and communication professionals in press, radio, TV and social media
Manage and keep the Rikolto in East Africa website up to date
Serving as editor for external reports such as Annual Reports
Support to Rikolto staff to deliver high quality communication products
Manage the Rikolto in East Africa social media pages
Project Communication for EU AGRI-CONNECT
Gathering of field stories which demonstrate successes, challenges and learning
Manage the annual youth entrepreneur recruitment campaign
Support the nutrition team in the implementation and improving the nutrition campaign
Design materials in line with the EU AGRI-CONNECT brand guidelines
Build a good relationship with the communication personnel in the Delegation of the European Union in Tanzania and the Technical Advisory Team
Coordinate cooperation with third party partners related with publications
Review communication materials made by the AGRI-CONNECT project team
Support in the organization of communication events or other events that have an important communication component

Education and experience

A Master’s degree or higher in Mass Communication, Journalism, Social Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Development Studies and/or Marketing or equivalent or Bachelor’ degree by a strong experience in communication
Proven experience in development of communication strategies and production and design of highquality dissemination materials
Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required
Experience with writing, content creation and design is required

Skills and knowledge

Strong knowledge of communication processes especially in the field of agriculture
Solid knowledge and experience of developing media, advocacy and marketing campaigns and social media concepts and tools
Excellent communication and writing skills: being able to register and record and to reproduce in an attractive and clear manner
Excellent copywriting and editing skills with good sense of detail, sense for quality
Working with Adobe (Illustrator, InDesign) and Canva
Photography is an asset
Driver licence for manual car is an asset

Attitude

Is able to work autonomously with minimum supervision
Has positive attitude and focuses on win-win situations
Acts with integrity and respects others
Constructively challenges self and others
Can be relied on to deliver commitments (accountable) by the agreed deadline
Is accurate and has an eye for detail
Has a creative and inspiring personality
Inspires people to act in accordance with the vision / plan of Rikolto East Africa
Is willing to learn and share lessons learnt
Can be trusted with confidential information
Is willing to cooperate with various actors and communicate clearly in variety of setting and styles Uncompromisingly adheres to Rikolto’s ethical values
Interested candidates can submit their CV and application letter to [email protected] by June 1, 23:59pm.