Invitation To Apply For Communication Officer (Consultant) Post For SAFE-MIT: A Shared Foundation To Protect Against Risks Of Irregular Migration And Trafficking

Position Title: Communication Officer (Consultant)

Project: SAFE-MIT: A Shared Foundation to Protect Against Risks of Irregular Migration and Trafficking
 Location: Nairobi, Kenya (with flexibility for remote work and some in-country travel)
Contract Type: Consultancy
Level of Effort: Part time bases (Approx 15 working days monthly), in line with project needs.
Duration: 13 Months (May 2025 – May 2026)
Reports to: Project Lead (SAFE-MIT MMD III at The Youth Cafe)
Collaborates with: Programs Coordinator and the Project Team. 

1. Background

Migration dynamics are deeply influenced by access to information, societal expectations, and personal aspirations. The Multi-country MMD III Safe-MIT Project, funded by ICMPD, aims to enhance the shared knowledge and decision-making capabilities of African youth concerning migration. It seeks to equip young people in Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, and Senegal with the necessary tools to make informed decisions. This is achieved through targeted, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive school engagement and social media campaigns, all underpinned by robust child protection and safeguarding standards to ensure content integrity.

Implemented by a consortium of African and European civil society organizations, SAFE-MIT not only strengthens South-North partnerships but also empowers African consortium partners, including The Youth Café, to cascade their skills. They will replicate their experience by training selected NGOs in Ethiopia, Uganda, Tunisia, and The Gambia to develop and run migration information campaigns, thereby fostering South–South cooperation and peer-to-peer learning across the continent.

The Youth Café, as a co-implementor, is specifically responsible for implementing project activities in Kenya and providing remote support for activities in Uganda, to address the risks of irregular migration and human trafficking, influencing knowledge, norms, and decision-making among young people across key migration routes.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The consultant will primarily be responsible for developing and implementing the project's overarching communication strategy (Including remotely supporting the Social Media Officer in managing the social media campaign execution). 

This includes managing stakeholder engagement, creating diverse communication content, and handling public relations. Furthermore, the role will provide critical support in project reporting, ensure adherence to communications compliance standards, and manage comprehensive project documentation and files.

3. Key Responsibilities

A. Project Communications Strategy & Implementation

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy for the SAFE-MIT project in Kenya, aligned with overall project objectives and external relations.

  • Identify key communication opportunities and develop strategic communication plans for project activities and milestones.

  • Support the Project Lead in managing the overall public image and external messaging of the project.

  • Assist in the development and execution of media relations strategies, including drafting press releases, media advisories, and managing media inquiries.

B. Stakeholder Liaison & External Relations

  • Support the Project Lead in managing relationships and communication with external stakeholders, including government authorities, consortium partners, NGOs, community leaders, and traditional media.

  • Draft, send, and track formal correspondence such as official letters, emails, and invitations to project partners and relevant authorities.

  • Handle external communication inquiries and facilitate information flow between the project and its partners.

  • Coordinate communication aspects for project-related meetings, workshops, and events (e.g., preparing agendas, minutes, participant communication).

C. Content & Materials Development

  • Develop and edit high-quality communication materials such as Curriculum, factsheets, brochures, presentations, project briefs, reports, speeches, and success stories, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and cultural appropriateness.

  • This includes graphic design and visual/audio content creation using relevant software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, CapCut), as appropriate.

  • Support the communication and visibility aspects of Educational Outreach materials (e.g., teacher handbooks, student booklets, interactive game materials, branded merchandise like stickers, notebooks, and t-shirts), aligning with The Youth Café's lead role in educational outreach.

  • Ensure all communication materials effectively convey the project's key messages, with particular emphasis on tailoring content for Kenyan youth audiences ("Not every opportunity abroad is what it seems, make smart choices with the facts in hand.").

D. Reporting Support

  • Contribute significantly to the compilation, drafting, and quality assurance of accurate and timely project reports (e.g., monthly updates, quarterly, and annual narrative reports) for submission to the Project Lead and donor.

  • Assist in collecting, consolidating, and validating data from various project components for reporting purposes.

  • Ensure consistency in messaging and data presentation across all project reports.

E. Compliance & Files Management

  • Ensure that all project communications and content comply with relevant policies, including child safeguarding, data protection, ethical guidelines, and donor regulations.

  • Ensure strict adherence to the project's Communication and Visibility Plan, including branding guidelines (The Migrant Project, ICMPD/EU logos), disclaimers, and acknowledgment requirements across all materials.

  • Establish and maintain a systematic digital and, if applicable, physical filing system for all project documents, communication materials, reports, contracts, and administrative records, ensuring easy retrieval, version control, and audit readiness.

  • Assist in preparing and organizing documentation for internal and external audits and compliance reviews.

F. Internal Coordination & Support

  • Facilitate internal communication channels to ensure effective information flow within the project team and with The Youth Café leadership.

  • Provide general communication support to other project team members as needed for their activities (e.g., drafting formal requests, coordinating calls).

  • Perform any other responsibilities/roles as may be assigned to you.

4. Deliverables

  • Comprehensive project communication plan.

  • Regularly drafted and finalized communication materials (e.g., press releases, factsheets, presentations, reports sections, and visual/audio content pieces), including those supporting Educational Outreach visibility.

  • Organized records of external correspondence and stakeholder engagement.

  • Timely and quality contributions to monthly, quarterly, and annual narrative project reports.

  • Regular compliance checklists/reviews for communications materials and project documentation, specifically addressing visibility requirements.

  • An organized, up-to-date, and accessible project filing system (digital and/or physical as required).

  • A final consultancy report detailing communications insights and a summary of reporting and compliance support provided.

5. Required Qualifications and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related field.

  • At least 3-5 years of professional experience in communication and public relations roles, preferably within the development or NGO sector.

  • Proven experience in drafting various communication materials (e.g., press releases, reports, presentations, official letters).

  • Strong understanding of project reporting cycles and experience in contributing to donor reports.

  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain systematic filing and document management systems (digital and/or physical).

  • Familiarity with compliance requirements for donor-funded projects (e.g., visibility, safeguarding, data protection) is highly desirable.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Kiswahili.

  • Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.

  • Graphic design and video editing skills (e.g., Canva, Adobe Suite, CapCut) are a strong advantage.

  • Understanding of migration, youth development, or anti-trafficking narratives is desirable.

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and document management software.

6. Duration and Compensation

  • Duration: 12 months, from May 2025 to May 2026

  • Compensation: Fixed consultancy fee on a monthly basis of €400 (totaling €4,800) subject to the 5% withholding tax.

  • Location: Based in Nairobi, with possible travel within Kenya

  • Payment Schedule: Monthly, upon submission of deliverables and timesheets


7. Application Process

Interested consultants should submit:

  • A one-page cover letter outlining suitability and availability

  • Updated CV 

Email applications to: human.resource@theyouthcafe.com
Subject Line: Communications Officer (Consultant) – SAFE-MIT MMD III Application
Deadline for submission: 30th April 2025

Equal Opportunity

The Youth Café is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion and strongly encourages applications from women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups.