Communication and Media Advisor at Helen Keller International

The name Helen Keller is known around the world as a symbol of courage in the face of overwhelming odds, yet she was much more than a symbol. She was a woman of luminous intelligence, high ambition and great accomplishment who devoted her life to helping others. 

Helen Keller, our co-founder, envisioned a world without barriers to human potential. Guided by her fierce optimism, we have been working on the front lines of health and well-being for more than 100 years. Working in 19 countries across Africa and Asia—as well as in the United States—we are dedicated to eliminating preventable vision loss, malnutrition, and diseases of poverty.

In the past year, our life-changing health solutions benefited an estimated 300 million people in places where the need is great but access to care is limited.

Background

Helen Keller is seeking a candidate for a project that implements and provides technical support to nutrition interventions across sectors and disciplines for both its donor and partners. The project’s multi-sectoral approach draws on global nutrition experience to design, implement and evaluate programs that address the root causes of malnutrition. Committed to using a systems approach, the project strives to sustain positive outcomes by building local capacity, supporting behavior change and strengthening the enabling environment to save lives, improve health, build resilience, increase economic productivity, and advance development.

The overall purpose of the project in Nigeria aims to provide technical support, implement innovative nutrition-specific and sensitive interventions, and generate evidence to enhance nutrition programming toward achieving the overall goal of improving nutrition indices for a healthy, productive, and resilient Nigeria. This activity will support the donor’s effort to strengthen the enabling environment for innovation, commitment, capacity strengthening, coordination, collaboration, and support for multi-sectoral nutrition policies and programs among government, donors, civil society, and private sector stakeholders in Nigeria.

Scope of the Position

 The Communication and Media Advisor will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive communication strategies, activities, and campaigns. The successful candidate will play a key role in managing the organization's public image and maintaining effective media relations.

Job Responsibilities: 

• Support strategy planning and execution for communication plans and programs, major organizational campaigns and initiatives related to media relations, crisis communication, organizational communication, community relations, social media, and executive communication.
•   Develop and implement communication strategies to enhance the organization's visibility and reputation.
•   Create engaging content for various communication channels, including press releases, social media, website content, and marketing materials.
•  Manage media relations, including building and maintaining relationships with journalists and media outlets.
•  Monitor and analyse media coverage, preparing regular reports and providing recommendations for improving the organization's communication approach.
•  Organize and manage public relations events, press conferences, and media briefings.
•   Coordinate with internal teams to ensure consistent messaging and branding across all communication channels.
• Provide communication support for internal initiatives, including employee engagement and organizational culture campaigns.
• Acquire and maintain a detailed knowledge of the company’s policies, principles, and strategies, and to keep up to date with relevant developments.
• Support and evaluate the results of communication campaigns with the team.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

•  Strong skills in the field of communications, media relations, social media, digital, news, and/or staff engagement communications activities.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of the communications discipline along with critical thinking and strategic counseling skills.
•   Demonstrates strong writing, editing, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
•  Master’s degree in communication, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field
• Minimum of 8- years of experience in communication, media relations, or public relations, preferably in similar industry or organization.
•  Demonstrated expertise in managing communication campaigns and engaging with various media platforms.
• Proficiency in content management systems, social media platforms, and media monitoring tools.
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a keen eye for detail.
•  Proven experience in developing and implementing successful communication strategies and campaigns.
•  Strong understanding of media relations and public relations best practices.
•  Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple communication projects simultaneously
• Creativity and innovative thinking, with the ability to generate compelling and impactful content.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders and media representatives.
• Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Proactive attitude with a strong sense of professionalism and integrity.
• Ability to adapt to changing situations and communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to travel regularly to the project states (Bauchi, Kebbi, Ebonyi, FCT, and Sokoto) as needed.

Method of Application