Policy Communications Officer - Busara - Kenya

What does the Busara Center do?

Busara implements research for organizations around the world, ranging from qualitative in-depth studies to lab experiments to large-scale randomized control trials. In addition, Busara’s advisory arm works with governments, non-profit organizations and private sector enterprises on improving their policies and products: Through incorporating insights from behavioral economics, we help organizations understand decision-making and enable them and the people they serve to make better and more informed choices.

Role Purpose Statement:

The Policy Communications Officer will support the policy, advocacy, and communication strategy for governance-focused projects at Busara. Reporting directly to the Engagement Director, this role's main objectives will be amplifying the impact of our work through effective communication, outreach, and dissemination; and increasing the influence and impact of our research among decision-makers and key stakeholders. In addition, the Policy Communications Officer will support the implementation of advocacy initiatives in collaboration with some of Busara's key clients.

The Policy Communications Officer will be responsible for maintaining consistent and compelling messaging for the research projects in the portfolio. The Policy Communications Officer will take the lead in addressing communication requirements for the Governance portfolio, including preparing and updating various communication outputs, leading communication needs for governance projects events, and liaising with Busara’s internal teams, particularly Voice & Impact on project communications.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Communications and Media Management

• Provide communication support on ongoing project activities (including participation in partner meetings and workshops, copy-editing, design and capacity strengthening for both Busara internal and partner teams).
• Develop and implement communication work plans, strategies, campaigns, events, and other initiatives in support of project activities.
• Support the portfolio’s learning and knowledge management activities.
• Collaborate and provide linkages with Busara’s wider Voice & Impact team on behalf of the Governance portfolio. This includes activities such as research, preparation, fact-checking, editing, and production of professional media and communication materials aimed at various audiences, ensuring their timely dissemination and amplification through both Busara and non-Busara channels.
• Create high-quality media and multimedia content for dissemination.
• Support communication needs for events in consultation with relevant internal teams and portfolio team leadership.
• Maintain a prominent position in news and advocacy through initiatives such as drafting briefing notes, press releases, fact sheets, press lines, guidance notes, and social media outputs.
• Ensure that photos and videos for external use are captured with consent and shared in compliance with data privacy laws.
• Monitor and control portfolio team communications expenses and budgets.
• Create engagement opportunities for our portfolio’s team members: be it through workshops and training, webinars, social media content, support with writing blog posts,events and conferences, branded partnerships, product launches, interviews, and more.

Policy and Advocacy

• Serve as a resource and strategic thought partner for policy communication and advocacy needs by the portfolio.
• Deepen the Governance portfolio’s policy engagement through policy and trend analyses in relevant areas to identify opportunities for research evidence-based advocacy interventions.
• Support the development and dissemination of timely policy analyses, briefs, and reports with relevant stakeholders.
• Support the drafting of policy talking points and messaging related to ongoing projects as needed.
• Monitor and support the Governance Portfolio’s engagement with relevant portfolio-relevant policy events.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

Minimum Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Policy, Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• 3 years experience in communications, advocacy, policy outreach, PR, marketing, design or a related field.
• Proven track record of success in digital marketing, such as SEO and email marketing.
• Experience using data and research evidence to develop communications initiatives, and some familiarity with the East African policy environment, including relevant laws, regulations, and political dynamics.
• Excellent critical thinking skills and the ability to exercise good judgment, integrity and solve problems quickly and effectively.An ability to work with and inspire people from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.
• Extremely strong command of written English and Kiswahili languages with a clear creative hand and an ability to alternate between clean, professional writing and innovative, vibrant policy-oriented communication. 
• An ability to work well with multiple internal and external stakeholders, liaising with graphic designers, and project research associates to deliver strong outputs.
• Experience writing for local and international audiences and strong knowledge of how to alter word choice and communication styles to best resonate with a variety of audiences. 
• Ability to travel for project activities.
• Relationship orientation: this role will require developing and nurturing strong partnerships both internally and externally (clients, marketing and activation agencies, press, PR, etc.). The ideal candidate naturally builds trust with others and truly enjoys collaboration.