Senior Communications Officer - Digital Communications and Engagement

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded on the principle that all individuals, regardless of their identity or circumstances, should have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the foundation emphasizes the importance of diversity among its employees to reflect the global populations it serves. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage without premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, regional holidays, and opportunities for employees to engage in various community initiatives. The foundation is committed to fostering an environment that supports both personal and professional growth for its employees.

Job Overview:
The Senior Communications Officer for Digital Communications and Engagement will spearhead the development and execution of a digital-first communications strategy tailored for the Gates Foundation's initiatives across Africa. This role involves providing strategic leadership and coordination among regional offices in Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, and Ethiopia, ensuring that the foundation's digital presence is relevant to local contexts while aligning with global objectives. The officer will play a crucial role in enhancing collaboration between the Africa Regional Communications team and the Global Communications Division, ensuring cohesive storytelling and a unified voice across various platforms. The position requires a creative and digitally savvy communications leader who possesses a strategic vision and executional excellence, with a deep understanding of Africa's digital landscape and audience trends.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Digital Strategy and Leadership: Develop and lead a comprehensive digital channel and engagement strategy for the Africa Regional Office, ensuring alignment with the foundation’s global digital and communications principles. Foster a digital-first culture across regional and country offices by integrating digital thinking, tools, and storytelling into all communications planning. Harmonize digital strategies across Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, and Ethiopia to ensure quality, consistency, and local relevance. Collaborate with the Global Communications Division and Global Policy & Advocacy to align Africa’s digital storytelling with global priorities. Amplify local and regional narratives through global channels to connect Africa’s progress with international audiences.
• Digital Engagement and Campaign Execution: Oversee the foundation’s digital presence in Africa, managing social media channels, content calendars, and engagement strategies. Utilize SEO/SEM, analytics, CRM, and paid media to enhance reach, engagement, and positive sentiment among target audiences. Work with country office communications teams to adapt and implement global and regional campaigns for local audiences. Support the digital promotion of leadership trips, reports, and events across Africa.
• Digital Insights, Analytics, and Measurement: Implement social listening and digital analytics tools to monitor sentiment, engagement, and emerging narratives. Use data-driven insights to refine strategies, inform content decisions, and enhance the effectiveness of digital campaigns. Establish clear KPIs and performance frameworks for digital activities and track progress across regional offices. Collaborate with communications and advocacy teams to align digital measurement with broader campaign objectives.
• Partnerships and Capacity Building: Identify and manage digital partnerships, including agencies, influencers, and creative producers, to broaden the foundation’s reach in Africa. Enhance digital storytelling capabilities across country offices through training, shared frameworks, and knowledge exchange. Collaborate with Global Policy & Advocacy and program advocacy colleagues to co-develop campaigns that leverage digital channels for advocacy outcomes. Promote collaboration among regional offices to foster learning, efficiency, and creative innovation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in communications, marketing" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">digital marketing, journalism, or a related field. They should have 8-10 years of senior-level experience in leading digital communications or marketing in a global, regional, or multi-country context, particularly in dynamic and fast-paced environments. Proven expertise in designing and implementing comprehensive digital marketing strategies, managing social media growth across platforms, and effective brand storytelling is essential. A strong understanding of Africa’s digital and media landscapes, including audience trends and influencer ecosystems, is required. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to lead multi-market digital strategies and campaigns that yield measurable engagement and impact. Proficiency in SEO/SEM, paid media, social listening, analytics, and CRM tools is necessary to inform audience strategies and optimize performance. Experience in creating data-driven digital engagement strategies across diverse markets and translating complex issues into accessible, audience-driven digital content is also required. Political acumen and stakeholder engagement skills, along with exceptional project management capabilities, are crucial for this role.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in communications, digital marketing, journalism, or a related field. This educational background is essential to ensure that candidates possess the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively manage digital communications and engagement strategies.

Experience:
Candidates should have 8-10 years of senior-level experience in leading digital communications or marketing efforts within a global, regional, or multi-country context. This experience should be in dynamic and fast-paced environments, demonstrating the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously. Proven expertise in designing and implementing digital marketing strategies, managing social media platforms, and executing successful brand storytelling campaigns is essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with proficiency in French considered a valuable asset. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages will enhance the candidate's capacity to engage with diverse audiences across the African continent and beyond.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and requires the ability to legally work in the country without visa sponsorship. The role may involve travel up to 25-30% domestically and internationally. The application deadline for this position is set for 23 April 202

• As part of the hiring process, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check. The organization is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring experience for all candidates, offering accommodations for individuals with disabilities or medical conditions as needed. The foundation values diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workplace and strives to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and equitably.