Communications Expert

About the Project 

Shayashone (SYS) PLC in partnership with the Ministry of Education of the FDRE (MoE), Mastercard Foundation, Arizona State University (ASU) is implementing a project titled ‘Strengthening Higher Education System through Utilization of Digital Technology.’ The project aims to enhance the quality, accessibility, and affordability of higher education by launching a digital Learning Management System across public universities in Ethiopia.

The project has four key components:

1. Building appropriate infrastructure (resource centers) integrated with the more extensive ICT system of the 50 public universities.

2. Adopting and rolling a digital learning and education platform ASU (OpenEdx) developed.

3. Building capacities of 100 system administrators, 35,000 instructors, and 800,000 students in management, content development, and utilization of the learning management system.

4. Supporting institutionalization and scale-up of e-learning for higher education and beyond by designing appropriate national policies and strategies.

The ultimate target of the project is to enhance/equip young graduates with the skills needed for employment and entrepreneurship in an equitable and cost-effective manner.

Short description of the position

The Senior Communication Expert will be a key resource person to design and execute a communication strategy that is intended to enhance shared understanding of the e-learning management system and foster partnership among internal and external stakeholders. S/he will be assisting the project team in coordination tasks. The candidate is expected to facilitate the documentation and release of relevant information about the project, assist in developing the value proposition of e-learning for different types of users and contribute to knowledge management. The person will closely work with experts from the Mastercard Foundation, ASU, Public Universities in Ethiopia, and other key potential partners in the area. The position requires key technical and management competencies in the areas of data and information syntheses and presentation skills, public relations, use of digital and mainstream media channels, and the ability to develop coherent and easy-to-understand messages for different groups. The ideal candidate has a solid understanding of the contribution of e-learning programs to the quality, affordability, and accessibility of education and its ultimate impact on enhancing the employability and entrepreneurial skills of graduates. S/he should be an active team player among experts with different backgrounds and share knowledge with others

Role and responsibilities Communication Strategy Development

• Responsible for enhancing and revising communication strategies and guidelines that create a shared understanding among users and create greater visibility among wider stakeholders about e-learning.

• Design and develop clear and engaging communication material including but not limited to guidelines, handbooks, newsletters, blogs, and posters that indicate the project objective for the different target groups.

• Utilize appropriate communication media channels (social, online, and mainstream) to disseminate information to different target groups.

• Coach and backstop public relationship and media personnel at the target universities and MoE on the communication strategy and guidelines.

Branding and Media House

• Responsible for regularly checking the timeliness, consistency, and validity of information shared with different target groups.

• Advise appropriate media channels and coach the project team and project partners to adhere to the communication guidelines and compliance.

• Document and disseminate information that creates clarity, builds a shared vision, and fosters strategic partnerships among different departments within the ministry, target universities, and other stakeholders within the Ethiopian higher education sector.

• Responsible for actively networking and reaching out to relevant stakeholders working in the e-learning sector for branding and positioning.

• Responsible for cultivating positive relationships with media professionals’ bloggers, thought leaders, influencers, and other media personnel to help shape the project’s image.

• Proactively address possible misconceptions and misunderstandings about the e-learning management system and assist stakeholders in having well informed opinions.

Project progress update and knowledge management

• Responsible for documenting and organizing information.

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports and updates to ensure every project partner is updated about the project's progress.

• Prepares various documents intended for the media, press releases, articles, brochures and other written documents for information purposes, and obtains the required approvals from project partners.

• Advise on internal communication tools and, when required, and coordinate the events.

• Supports the development and circulation of knowledge products to draw out lessons learned and success stories.

• Work closely with project partners to develop findings and insights from the project and accurate information that is consumed by education sector decision-makers

Additional Roles

• Assist the project team in undertaking administrative tasks that contribute to the success of the project.

• Anticipates and prepares materials needed by the executive team for such activities as conferences, correspondence, appointments, external meetings, and steering committee meetings.

• Working with the ministry and university communications team to produce communications materials (conceptualization, copy, and layout), including press releases, annual reports, leaflets, posters, business cards, blogs, and infographics as agreed with the Communications Manager and/or Executive team

• Undertake other related roles from MoE and other project partners as and when needed and ensure complementarity with the  e-learning program

Benefit and compensation

• Highly attractive with possible career development opportunities

Typeof employment: Project (2022 – 2027)

Duration: One Year with a possible extension of up to five years

Reports to: Project Manager

Competencies Technical competencies

• Hands-on experience in message development for different target audiences and utilization of appropriate channels to reach.

• Excellent knowledge of social media communication, best practice, and its sensitivity

• A highly motivated, well-organized, and hands-on person, able to manage her/his own time and work priorities, with excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Mastery in understanding the strategic intent of communication in relation to e-learning

• Outstanding diplomatic, influence, and persuasion skills

• Demonstrated experience in the development of media and event materials including media releases and speeches.

• Comprehensive understanding and experience of writing content and pitching to media.

• Excellent proofreading skills, attention to detail, and high-level writing skills for a variety of mediums and targets.

• Solid understanding of the Ethiopian media landscape

Personal Competencies

• Outstanding skills in planning, organizing, and reporting.

• Champions in fostering partnership and stakeholder relationships.

• Ability to perform under pressure with minimal supervision and able to handle multiple tasks at a time in calm and organized manner.

• Excellent teamwork skill

Education, Work experience, and Language

• BA and above in journalism, communications, political science and international relations and related fields

• At least 5 years of experience in business/project communication for BA degree and 3 years for MA degree

• Proficiency in spoken and written English languages is a must.

How To Apply

Interested applicants can send their completed resume by e-mail or in hard copy to the following address before the close of business on 6 September 2024. Applicants are expected to indicate the position they are applying for. We strongly encourage qualified women to apply.

Shayashone Trading plc Recruitment Coordination Office

Bole Road Friendship Building, 4th Floor, Office Number 401/3 Telephone +251 911595073/ +251 960066917

E-mail: recruitment@shayashone.com or meklit@shayshone.com