The Opportunity
• Reporting to the Head of Program Communications Eastern and Southern Africa, the Country Lead – Program Communications Uganda, Kenya will work as an integral part of the country team giving public affairs and communications support to the Country Head and her/his team.
• He or she will engage key stakeholders and work in collaboration with the partners’ communications point persons to ensure alignment in all related communications. Media, agency, and brand management is an integral part of the role.

Ways You Can Contribute
• Develop and implement local communications strategies.
• Full understanding of country context, to be able to navigate complex situations with key multi-level stakeholders, with appreciation of the nuances at local level.
• Capacity of managing crisis communications, issues preparedness, and act as counsel/advisor for local teams and the Country Head.
• This role goes way beyond communications – it is public affairs too. It encompasses full context, deep understanding and 360-degree critical thinking for problem solving around the Foundation brand and reputation.
• Sound strategic thinking, problem solving, and solid implementation is key.
• Develop country program communications portfolio and ensure effective implementation in support of program objectives.
• Craft messages and program communications strategies that are thoughtful and positioned to reach priority audiences including governments, private sector, other funders, and youth.
• Work with the country program team to develop and strengthen innovative communications models and channels.
• Contribute to reputation and brand positioning for the portfolio.
• Develop and implement internal communication strategies, plans and materials to communicate the Mastercard Foundation’s messages, stories, strategies and issues to employees and internal stakeholders.
• Focus on impact storytelling to communicate the work of the Foundation.
• Develop and manage country budget for program communications portfolio.
• Improve the quality of communications through the development of new skills and tools and enable adoption of innovative communications methods with the goal of improving execution.
• Align with a culture of high performance, willingness to learn, perpetual curiosity, and results orientation.
• Build capability of partner communication point persons to ensure alignment with Foundation’s communication approach and messaging.
• Cultivate relationships with top journalists, bloggers, and other stakeholders of national influence. Work with youth ambassadors to elevate the voices and views of young people.
• Liaise closely with Lead, Internal Communications, People & Culture, and other internal stakeholders & consultants to grow ‘Oneness’ in the Foundation.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications
• Degree in Communications and/or a related field. Post graduate diploma/degree and professional qualification and added advantage.
• At least 10 years relevant experience in communications working in advertising, news agencies, public relations, or current affairs.
• Demonstrated experience on brand positioning and management.
• Demonstrated extensive and professional use of social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram among others).
• Direct experience working with digital, print, radio, and television journalists.
• Demonstrated experience of crisis management and crisis communication.
• Demonstrated experience in high level stakeholder engagement/management.
• Have a demonstrated ability to lead successful communications campaigns with a focus on development and human-interest stories using both mainstream and social media.
• A compelling storyteller with demonstrated ability to frame compelling content for various audiences.
• Demonstrated extensive and professional use of social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram among others).
• Proven ability to edit materials and review/adapt them to fast changing situations, exercising, and promoting creative thinking.
• A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal, analytical, presentation and editorial digital skills.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, a strong network and can work easily with media.
• Outstanding social and intercultural skills and proven ability to multitask and work to deadlines, sometimes under pressure.
• French language and/or local language skills required.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures.
• Have integrity and exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• Committed to the Foundation’s mission and vision.