Communications and Engagement Coordinator

About CHASE Africa

CHASE Africa is a growing international development NGO working with local partners organisations in East Africa. Our vision is healthy and wealthy communities living in harmony with their natural environment in fragile ecosystems in East Africa.

We achieve our vision by giving women and girls, men and boys, choice over the timing, number and spacing of their children, enabling access to healthcare, and supporting communities to protect their natural environment.

Over the last 8 years, CHASE Africa has provided over 750,000 healthcare and 250,000 family planning services, planted 173,000 trees in 281 schools and restored 200 acres of forest with 73,000 trees. Over the last 5 years, income has grown from £98,000 to over £500,000.

In the next 5 years, CHASE Africa aims to increase its impact in East Africa through expanding our programmes and reaching more remote communities with the greatest needs. To achieve this, we will diversify and increase income streams, doubling our income by the end of 2025.

The Communications and Engagement Coordinator will play a key role in helping to achieve these targets. They will join a small, friendly team based near Frome in Somerset.

Communications and Engagement Coordinator

The Communications and Engagement Coordinator will lead on communications and supporter engagement through producing excellent and compelling communications materials. You will build audiences through managing CHASE Africa’s social media platforms, website, print materials and press relations. The Coordinator will play a pivotal role in communicating CHASE Africa’s work in East Africa to engage existing supporters and attract new followers and funders, helping to achieve our strategic objectives.

The Coordinator will work closely with the fundraising and programmes team, as well as local partner organisations, to create and communicate appealing stories and content which inspires members of the public to support our work. The aim of the role is to engage supporters with our work, increase individual giving through campaigns, social media and our website and catalyse new opportunities.

This position reports to the Senior Fundraising Coordinator and is based in the UK office near Frome. Some remote working may be possible.

Hours, Renumeration and Contract

This role is a 2-year fixed term contract. The role is initially for 2 days a week, with the potential to increase subject to funding.

The salary offered is £23,000 - £25,000 full-time equivalent (£9,200 – £10,000 for 2 days a week), depending on experience.

CHASE Africa is committed to providing staff with opportunities to develop relevant skills through internal and external training.

Start Date: as soon as possible.

Job Description

A. Coordinate CHASE Africa’s external communications

1. Work with the team to identify communications needs across the organisation and prepare strategies, messaging and workplans in response to these needs.
2. Create engaging content for the CHASE Africa website and social media platforms.
3. Manage the Wordpress website, ensuring pages are engaging and up to date.
4. Manage CHASE Africa’s Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube accounts to grow followers, increase engagement and donations.
5. Coordinate the production of print materials, such as the Annual Report, leaflets and training materials, using your own skills or working with graphic designers.
6. Produce and promote CHASE Africa’s regular supporter newsletter.
7. Write press releases to secure coverage for CHASE Africa’s work.
8. Ensure consistency of messaging of all communications materials.

B. Lead on supporter engagement and campaigns
 

1. Lead on developing and promoting community fundraising (charity marathons, sponsored events, Facebook fundraisers, etc.) to increase donations to CHASE Africa’s work.
2. Lead digital, crowdfunding and direct mail campaigns to raise funds from individuals towards CHASE Africa’s work.
3. Ensure excellent supporter care, including thanking donors, answering questions and contributing to donor journey mapping.
4. Contribute to managing donor records and communications on our CRM, Donorfy.

C. Build communications capacity within CHASE Africa’s partner network

1. Support CHASE Africa partner organisations and programmes staff to procure high-quality, engaging project images, videos and case studies.
2. Build the capacity of partners through providing training online, in written format and potentially in person.
3. Input into programme communication plans.
4. Procure and edit stories, blogs and interviews from CHASE Africa’s partners, staff and Trustees.

D. Other Responsibilities and Tasks

1. Support the development of a communications strategy for CHASE Africa.
2. Ensure all work undertaken complies with data protection and GDPR rules.
3. Attend and participate in Staff and Trustee meetings, as required.
4. Recruit and manage volunteers, as required.
5. Support other tasks as required.

Person Specification: Skills and Experiences

Essential

1. At least 2 years’ experience in a relevant communications role.
2. Experience designing and delivering digital communications campaigns.
3. Experience coordinating communications projects across cultures and to deadlines.
4. Experience of communicating sensitive topics and appreciation of using appropriate language.
5. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
6. Ability to process large amounts of information to write compelling and engaging stories.
7. Experience of managing and producing engaging content for social media channels.
8. Strong storytelling and copywriting skills.
9. Experience editing websites (especially Wordpress).
10. Proven experience of increasing engagement and/or income for a cause.
11. A strong interest and understanding of CHASE Africa’s work.
12. Right to work in the UK.

Desirable

1. Previous experience working for an international development charity.
2. Graphic design, photo and video editing skills.
3. Relevant Bachelor’s degree.
4. Experience of working in Sub-Saharan Africa.
5. An understanding of family planning services, sexual and reproductive health rights, primary healthcare and/or environmental restoration.