Kingston, Jamaica | Full Time
Governments and private sector organisations across the Caribbean are aggressively pursuing digital transformation programmes to realise a new “digital society” here in the region. At SlashRoots, our mission is to ensure that this shift to a “digital society” creates a future that is more inclusive, with economic opportunity available to all, and services that meet the needs of the communities and individuals who rely on them—whether rural, urban, poor, middle-class, differently-abled or otherwise.
Through the design and delivery of good services, engagement in the discourse around new digital policies, and expanding the capacity of communities, practitioners and decision-makers, we’re working to help shape this digital future.
To support this work, we’re looking for a Communications Officer to drive a process of translating our purpose, strategy and long-term goals into a compelling and consistent narrative.
Our ideal Communications Officer is passionate about storytelling and purpose-driven communications, with superb writing skills. You lead with substance and thought, rather than recycled marketing prose and aren’t daunted by communicating complex ideas to different audiences. You see communications and event management as more than posters and flyers, and value people and relationship-building. Creating and executing well-designed communications plans and campaigns excite you. You are comfortable with experimentation and learning new things, but also receptive to feedback and are open to collaboration. Most importantly, you get things done.
If the above resonates with you, and you’re interested in being a part of a team working to shape the digital future here in Jamaica and the broader Caribbean, click apply below.
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. ORGANISATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY AND BRAND MANAGEMENT
Develop a SlashRoots organisational narrative and communications strategy to support our mission and organisation strategy.
Lead and oversee the development and execution of communication and outreach roadmaps for SlashRoots projects, services and initiatives.
Oversee a consistent narrative and brand positioning across all SlashRoots’ communications assets, including websites, grant submissions, proposals, marketing materials, presentations/pitch decks, and social media.
Support Slashroots team members in the production of regularly updated content to support our mission and create an active, engaging brand presence through blog posts, news articles, newsletters, and other content as needed.
2. COMMUNITY MOBILISATION
Support our engagement with civil society and the communities impacted by the programmes we’re implementing.
Manage social media channels to achieve growing content engagement by these external audiences.
3. MEDIA RELATIONS & PUBLIC SPEAKING
Identify public events, memberships, awards, academic journals, and news media for projecting SlashRoots’ message to key audiences.
Build and maintain relationships with relevant members of the traditional media and social media community.
OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE HAS/CAN:
Demonstrable aptitude or experience in developing, building and managing corporate, product or service brands
Hands-on experience in managing events and/or community organising
Prior experience managing partnerships with public or private organisations
Excellent written and oral communication skills (experience in writing for the web, grant reports, and related compliance is a plus);
Familiarity with graphic design software and is able to modify communication assets/templates;
Written and spoken fluency in English (working knowledge of Spanish and/or French is a plus);
The ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team with a flat organisational structure;
Experience or demonstrated interest in international and/or social development, or technology for development
A global perspective, values Caribbean collaboration, and is open to travelling; and
Above all, an entrepreneurial spirit, a can-do attitude, and an ability to produce without constant supervision.
Comfortable playing a servant leadership role within multidisciplinary teams.
TO APPLY
We are looking to hire someone who desires a fulfilling career in this line of work and is interested in growing with us. The position is being offered as a one-year contract to start, with the possibility of transitioning to full-time employment.
Interested candidates are asked to submit a CV, a cover letter describing why you believe you would be a good fit for SlashRoots, along with a writing sample and a link to a portfolio or example campaign you have executed in the past. Please highlight relevant experience in your cover letter to support your application. Only complete applications will be considered.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but priority will be given to those submitted by September 12, 2022.
The SlashRoots Foundation is a social impact organisation that uses the principles and practices of the digital age to create a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable Caribbean society. We work with governments, development organisations, and civil society to improve the design and delivery of social services and development programmes, while helping them be more responsive to the communities they serve.
Since 2011 SlashRoots has partnered with a variety of government agencies, development organisations, academic institutions, and private sector organisations to better use technology, user-centred design, and data to improve services and create innovative solutions to complex problems. Our approach focuses on understanding context first, then providing tools to incorporate this knowledge into the iterative and participatory design of innovative and realistic solutions.