Job Highlight:

Reporting to the Senior Communications Manager, WRI Africa, with dotted reporting line to WRI Africa’s Energy Access Lead and WRI’s Lead for Energy Access Explorer. You will contribute to the delivery of the “Energy Access for Equitable Development (EA4ED)” and the Energy Transition pillars. It will help develop and execute a comprehensive communication and engagement strategy for the EA4ED pillar’s work, including supporting one of WRI’s flagship data initiatives – the Energy Access Explorer, as well as a strategy for amplifying and positioning the program’s work on Productive Use of Renewable Energy. You will also support development and execution of a communications strategy for the Energy Transition work. You will be supported by a global team including WRI colleagues in Africa, India, and Washington DC. You will also work with partners around the world to contribute to the acceleration of Energy Access for Equitable Development, and energy transition goals.

What you will do:

Communications (40%):

• Develop and implement a communications plan for WRI Africa’s Energy Access for Equitable Development work, as well as for the Energy Transition work
• Coordinate and support the development of effective outreach material including high-quality presentations, publications, newsletters, blogs, photographs, videos, testimonials, webinars, social media, etc
• Coordinate and support the development of audience-specific knowledge products
• Maintain active communication with focal points in partner countries and organizations
• Ensure that the project website is updated
• Copyediting and review of key messaging and research documents and provide comms inputs to project & donor reports

Engagement (20%):

• Coordinate and help develop and implement the engagement strategy
• Schedule and participate in convenings to maintain existing network and establish new partnerships
• Coordinate and manage follow-up surveys and correspondence
• Maintain network contacts and engagement tracker spreadsheets
• Facilitate communication between partners and the public through dissemination of research and data, publications, media outreach, and digital communications

Media Relations (15%):

• Coordinate with mainstream media to display and amplify WRI Africa’s Energy Access for Equitable Development work
• Draft press releases and coordinate the release of media advisories to promote research
• Coordinate project media relations including identifying opportunities for media coverage, responding to media requests, and arranging interviews as appropriate
• Organize field visits for media and coordinate events coverage
• Maintain a list of media coverage and media contacts

Events (15%):

• Coordinate the production of webinars with relevant program teams
• Coordinate communication support for program events, including social promotion and coverage, photography, media outreach, production of communication products, and post-event communication reports
• Contribute to WRI Africa’s list of events to ensure effective and efficient coordination of communication support
• Manage media during events

Institutional Communications (10%):

• Contribute to WRI Africa’s communication initiatives such as compiling content for international days, blogs, the release of flagship reports, and newsletters.

What you will need:

• Education: You have completed a Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, International Affairs, Political Science, Business Management, International Development, Environmental Sciences, or other social sciences
• Experience: You have 5+ years of relevant full time work experience, preferably with international development organizations, knowledge institutions, or media
• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills
• Creative, detail-oriented, and highly organized individual with a strong interest in partnerships, coordination, and communications
• Ability to identify opportunities for communication activities
• Experience in storytelling and writing human-interest stories
• Experience in designing and organizing events
• High level of comfort with Microsoft Office 365 (proficiency with SharePoint, Excel, Power point), web-based communications, and internet research
• Languages: You will be proficient in written and spoken English, with any additional language is a plus
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required at the time of application. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization.