Communication for Development Officer at Rikolto

 Communication for Development Officer at Rikolto

Position: Communication for Development Officer 

Location: Arusha, Tanga, Dodoma, Iringa, and Mbeya (Tanzania) 

Reports to: Regional Communication Lead – Rikolto East Africa 

Type: Full-time Staff Position 

Geographical Scope: Tanzania with regional collaboration across Rikolto East Africa 

Purpose of the Position 

The Communication for Development (C4D) Officer plays a central role in strengthening Rikolto Tanzania’s  impact through strategic, behavior change oriented communication. The posiƟon supports programme  visibility, facilitates evidence-based storytelling, enhances stakeholder engagement, and ensures  alignment with regional and internaƟonal communicaƟon prioriƟes.-change-oriented communicaƟon. The  posiƟon supports -based storytelling, enhances stakeholder engagement, and ensures alignment with  regional and internaƟonal communication prioriƟes. 

The Officer will directly support the implementation of the Regional Strategic Communication  Framework, and help ensure consistent messaging, branding, and audience focused outreach  across programmes such as youth inclusion, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and market  systems development in Tanzania mainland.-focused outreach across  

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communication Implementation 

• Operationalize the Regional Strategic Communication Framework and annual  communication plans.
• Translate strategies into today’s communicaƟon acƟons, content, and campaigns
•  Ensure all outputs meet Rikolto brand guidelines and donor visibility requirements
•  Support development of audience segmented messaging and ensure consistency across  teams.-segmented messaging and ensure consistency across teams.

Communication for Development (C4D) 

• Co-design and implement behaviour change communication (BCC) initiatives for nutrition,  youth entrepreneurship, and sustainable food systems. 
• Produce C4D materials in Swahili and English, tailored for communities, youth groups,  farmer organizations, and local government partners.
• Support community engagement events, activation campaigns, visibility activities, and  community-level storytelling.
• Ensure ethical and inclusive communication following Rikolto’s values and safeguarding  principles.

Content Development & Storytelling 

• Produce high-quality content including field stories, social media posts, interviews,  photos, videos, blogs, factsheets, case studies, and human-interest stories. 
•  Regularly gather stories from the field to document successes, challenges, innovaƟons,  and learning—key expectaƟons in previous Rikolto communicaƟon roles.
•  Support development of flagship content such as donor briefs, presentaƟons, and media  kits.
• Maintain accurate content archives, metadata, and consent documentation.

Digital Communication & Platforms 

• Manage social media pages for Rikolto in East Africa, ensuring regular posting and  engagement. 
• Monitor analytics and track performance indicators, reporting monthly insights.
•  Maintain and update the Rikolto in East Africa website with timely and relevant content.
• Support digital campaigns and community engagement through multimedia storytelling.

Media RelaƟons & Partnerships 

• Maintain relationships with journalists, editors, media houses, and communication  professionals in press, radio, TV, and digital platforms. 
• Draft and disseminate press releases, media kits, and event communication packages.
• Facilitate media visits, interviews, and coverage of Rikolto programmes.
• Build and leverage a network of storytellers, youth content creators, and external  communication partners.

Internal Communication & Coordination 

• Support cross-team communication flows and ensure timely sharing of programme  updates. Team communication flows and ensure timely sharing of -team communication  flows and ensure timely sharing of 
• Collaborate closely with programme staff in Tanzania and the International Office  communication team.
• Participate in the international communication team (“Fun Commies”) and feed regional  content into global communication planning (website, social media, newsletter)
• Contribute to internal newsletters, staff briefings, and knowledge sharing spaces. Sharing  spaces.-sharing spaces.
• Support implementation of new workflows, templates, and tools introduced by the  Strategic Communication Consultant.

Events, Campaigns & Branding 

• Support planning and communication for events, workshops, exhibitions, and advocacy  moments.
• Coordinate branding, visibility materials, and information management during events.
• Lead communication for flagship annual activities such as youth entrepreneur recruitment  campaigns under Rikolto activities in Tanzania.

Required Qualifications 

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree in communication for Development, Mass CommunicaƟon, Journalism,  Public Relations, Development Studies, or related fields. 

Professional Experience 

• Minimum 3 years of experience in development communication, media producƟon,  digital communicaƟons, or NGO visibility roles.
• Demonstrated experience in field-based communicaƟon and community level  engagement.-based communication and community-level engagement.
• Experience working with international NGOs is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies 

• Strong storytelling and writing skills (English & Kiswahili).
• Photography, videography, and basic editing skills.
• Excellent social media management and analytics interpretation.
• Familiarity with communication for development and behaviour change principles-change  principles.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines with multiple teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity.
• Experience with design tools (Canva, Adobe Suite) is an added advantage.

Values & Safeguarding 

• Commitment to Rikolto’s mission, values, and approach to inclusive and sustainable food  systems
• Uphold ethical storytelling, safeguarding, data protection, and No Harm principles.
•  Respectful representation of community voices and lived experiences.

Contract & Working Conditions 

• Fulltime employee position.
• Significant field travel expected across Rikolto in Tanzania project regions (Arusha,  Dodoma, Tanga, Iringa, Mbeya).
• Occasional travel to regional meeƟngs in East Africa.

How to Apply 

Interested candidates should submit: 

• A cover letter
•  CV (max 3 pages)
• 2 work samples (story, video, social media thread, publicaƟon)
• Contact details of two referees

Email: [email protected] 

Subject Line: Communication for Development Officer – Tanzania 

Deadline: 26 March 2026 

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within  two weeks after the closing date of the vacancy, please consider your application unsuccessful.