Communications Officer at Community Forests International | July 2024

1. INTRODUCTION

Community Forests Pemba (CFP) is a Tanzanian non-governmental organization founded and headquartered on Pemba Island, Zanzibar which has been working with local partners and its international sister organization, Community Forests International (CFI), since 2008 to advance shared goals of social, economic, and ecological prosperity. Together we have planted over 3 million trees, innovated several new climate-smart community enterprises, and demonstrated that the best solutions come directly from the people who need them most.

CFI and CFP are collaborating with a variety of stakeholders to implement the 2-year, Global Affairs Canada Funded ‘Zanzibar Women’s Leadership in Adaptation Project (ZanzAdapt)” Project. The project will improve gender equality and nature-based climate adaptation capacity in vulnerable coastal communities on Pemba and Unguja Islands, Zanzibar. Project outputs will primarily benefit women and their households and communities through regenerative livelihood actions that increase ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change.

2. MISSION, VISION, VALUES

Mission: To overcome poverty and adapt to climate change by sharing knowledge, advancing sustainable livelihoods, and restoring the natural environment.

Vision: Zanzibar communities thrive in harmony with the natural world.

Values:

• Trust is essential to strong relationships, and relationships are the foundation of our work. We act with honor and integrity to preserve trust between all members of our community.
• Solidarity. Tuko pamoja – we are together. Everyone is equal and has a role to play in creating positive change. We believe in sharing our challenges and working as one.
• Impact. We believe that we can change the world through innovation in Zanzibar. We share our local lessons and stories widely to maximize our positive impact globally.
• Integrityto uphold ethical standards and ensure fair and transparent relationships and dealings with everyone involved.

3. JOB SUMMARY

The Pemba Communications Officerwill play a crucial role in shaping the narrative of Community Forests’ work by acting as Community Forests’ in-house journalist, content creator, and copy editor in Pemba, Zanzibar, Tanzania. With support from Global Affairs Canada, Community Forests has been operating the 2-year “Zanzibar Women’s Leadership in Adaptation (ZanzAdapt)” project to improve gender equality and nature-based climate adaptation capacity in vulnerable coastal communities on Pemba and Unguja Islands, Zanzibar. The Pemba Communications Officer will be responsible for the daily documentation of project activities in communities, creating compelling media stories for a variety of internal documents and external platforms including newspapers, radio, television, and social media in line with Media Strategy and Action Plan. In addition, the Communications Officer will collaborate closely with the Unguja Zone Communications Officer, field staff, managers, and project partners to develop and execute communications plans, promote activities among stakeholders, assist with event coordination, and ensure project visibility requirements are upheld.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Project Documentation and Storytelling

• Lead zonal communications through clear communications and coordination with project staff, partners, and contractors, actively fostering an easy-to-use communications process that promotes effective team collaboration to ensure timely and quality delivery of communication activities.
• Daily documentation of project activities by capturing key information, photos, and videos, from beneficiaries and stakeholders to create compelling and accurate information.
• Create engaging and informative content for public audiences, project stakeholders, and project funders, including project reports, significant change stories, written articles, social media posts, project documents, and radio and television briefs, among others.
• Coordinate closely with project staff, partners, and contractors to understand and/or relay project activities and critical key messages, and gather information and insights for storytelling purposes that align with the vision, mission, and objectives of Community Forests and the ZanzAdapt Project.
• Create and manage photo, video, and written document storage file systems to ensure that all content and material are properly organized and accessible.
• Actively capture and archive all project-related publications and broadcasts across all media (including social media) for project reporting purposes.
• Gather performance metrics, results, and lessons from media advocacy to help guide future storytelling strategies and work plans.

Media Relations

• Cultivate relationships with project partners TAMWA, media outlets, and journalists to maximize coverage of Community Forests’ initiatives.
• Develop and pitch story ideas and press releases to relevant media contacts, seeking opportunities for feature stories and interviews.
• Monitor media coverage and track relevant information and KPIs to document coverage and assess the impact of communication efforts.

Content Creation and Publication

• Produce engaging visual content, including photography and short videos for social media and accompany written stories, highlighting women’s leadership in nature-based climate adaptation, in line with Media Strategy and Action Plan.
• Edit and refine written content to ensure clarity, coherence, and adherence to brand guidelines and the project’s Visibility & Recognition strategy in the following uses: project press releases, reports, local and regional TV, newspapers, radio, social media, print products including ZanzAdapt brochures and posters, and event materials including invitations, posters, and signage.
• Collaborate with graphic designers, journalists, filmmakers, and other creative professionals to develop engaging visual assets.

Key Performance Indicators

• Regular and continuous publication of media advocacy promoting women’s equality and leadership in nature-based climate adaptation, with a target of producing a minimum of 40 publications and/or broadcasts per year.
• Increased media coverage and awareness of Community Forests’ work in Tanzania and Internationally.
• Minimum 2 significant change stories or beneficiary profiles per quarter.
• Increase in quality, number, and proper documentation of photographs
• Positive feedback from all stakeholders on the quality, effectiveness, and relevance of communication materials.

5. QUALIFICATIONS & ABILITIES

Experience

• At least 3 years of professional experience in communications, journalism, media content creation or a related field.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating proficiency in photography, video editing, writing and creating social media.
• Experience working in international development or environmental conservation is an asset.

Technical Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Swahili.
• Proficiency in digital media tools and platforms, including digital photography and video (can be smart phone-based), Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram.
• Current knowledge of best practices for social media content optimization on Facebook, Instagram and other platforms.

Core Competencies

• Communication. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to effectively communicate with diverse stakeholders with clear and accurate language.
• Collaboration. Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders to interpret the ideas, information, and needs of others.
• Curious. High degree of interest in learning about people and issues and capturing those learnings.
• Organization. Strong ability to structure tasks, manage time effectively, and keep track of multiple projects and deadlines.
• Attention to Detail. A keen eye for accuracy, ensuring that communications are accurate, well-considered, and complete.
• Accountability. Holds self and others accountable for all decisions and interpersonal relationships while following through on commitments and focusing on those activities that have the greatest positive impact.

6. COMPENSATION & APPLICATION DETAILS

Compensation, Location, Tools, & Travel

Community Forests Pemba is seeking to fill two (2) full-time permanent positions. One (1) successful candidate will be stationed at CFP’s head office in Minyenyeni, Wete, on Pemba Island. The other suuceeful candidate will be stationed at the CFP branch office in Zanzibar City, Unguja. The position(s) will be remunerated based on 40 hours per week with 28 days paid vacation and organization health benefits. Compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and level. Periodic travel will be required between offices. Occasional travel outside these working areas may also be required. Project-related travel and communications tools (camera/software) will be provided by the project.

Application Process

Please email your resume and a cover letter with the subject line “Communications Officer” to jobs@forestsinternational.org, and please state your preference of ‘Pemba’, ‘Unguja’, or ‘Either. If you require any accessibility accommodations for the application process, please reach out.

The deadline for Applications is Sunday July 14th. Applications will be received and evaluated on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is hired. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.