Head of Communications

Main duties 

Strategic Leadership & Campaign Communications

• Review, co-develop and implement organisational communications strategy aligned with priorities, campaign pillars and objectives.
• Position Greenpeace Africa as a leading voice on climate justice and environmental issues in Africa.
• Ensure alignment between communications, digital, campaigns, fundraising to meet organisational goals.
• Translate complex environmental and political issues into accessible public narratives.
• Work closely with programme and campaign teams to design strategic communications plans for campaigns and advocacy initiatives and lead your team to do so.
• Conceptualise and lead others in creative communication interventions that help campaigns cut through.

On, Offline Communications and Editorial Leadership

• Play an editorial role for Francophone and Anglophone on and offline content from PRs to reports.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with African and international media outlets and journalists.
• Oversee proactive media engagement, press releases, interviews, media briefings, and opinion editorials.
• Act as a senior spokesperson when required.
• Increase visibility and influence of Greenpeace Africa in regional and global conversations.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Engagement Director, the Head of Digital and team on digital communications as needed.
• Work with the Deputy Engagement Director to oversee development of compelling storytelling and campaign materials.
• Work with the Deputy Engagement Director to ensure audience-centered, impactful, and culturally relevant on and offline communications.

Brand & Reputation Management

• Safeguard and strengthen the Greenpeace Africa brand and organisational reputation with the Deputy Engagement Director, Comms and Digital teams.
• Ensure consistency of messaging, visual identity, and tone across communications outputs.
• Co-lead crisis communications planning and response.
• Manage reputational risks and sensitive communications issues.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse communications team of seven practitioners and experts across multiple countries and functions.
• Foster collaboration, innovation, accountability, and inclusion within the department.
• Manage departmental planning, budgeting, and performance management.
• Coordinate external consultants, agencies, photographers, videographers, and creative partners as needed.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Support strategic engagement with partners, donors, civil society organizations, influencers, policymakers, and activists.
• Strengthen Greenpeace Africa’s relationships with regional and international stakeholders including media.
• Represent the organisation at conferences, public forums and strategic meetings.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

• Establish KPIs and reporting systems to measure communications impact.
• Analyze media coverage, audience engagement, and campaign effectiveness.
• Use insights and learning to continuously improve communications strategies.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Studies, Political Science, International Relations, or related field.
• A master’s degree is an advantage.
• Minimum 6 years of progressive experience in communications, media, advocacy, campaigning or public affairs.
• Leadership experience managing multidisciplinary communications teams.
• Experience working, at least 3 years in Africa, in international NGOs, advocacy organizations, social justice movements, or media organizations preferred.
• Strong understanding of African political, environmental, and social contexts.
• Experience managing crisis communications and high-profile media engagement.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Fluency in both English and French strongly desired (writing, speaking).
• Exceptional strategic thinking and leadership skills.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling abilities.
• Strong media relations and public speaking skills.
• Deep understanding of traditional and digital communications and engagement.
• Crisis management and reputational risk management.
• Cross-cultural communication and political sensitivity.
• Ability to work in high-pressure, fast-paced advocacy environments.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Commitment to climate justice, equity, diversity, and Greenpeace values.