Communications Officer

Role Overview

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is looking for a Communications Officer to lead communications for the TeachWell (TW) project in Kenya. Reporting to the Project Director, this person turns the consortium's daily work — classroom-level education support, evidence generation, partner collaboration — into content that donors, partners, government stakeholders and the wider sector can understand and act on. Because TeachWell is delivered through a multi-partner consortium, the role carries real weight: it is the person who keeps messaging consistent and credible across every channel while still telling stories that feel human and specific.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and refresh the TeachWell communications plan alongside the Project Director in line with annual project priorities, and maintain a communications calendar covering key activities, events, campaigns and planned publications.
• Gather, write, edit and package content for internal and external audiences — website articles, human-interest features, social media copy, briefs and presentations — that showcase the project's stories, results and successes.
• Work with monitoring, evaluation and technical colleagues to translate project data, research findings and lessons learned into clear, accurate and accessible communications products, checking all claims and figures with the responsible teams before anything is published.
• Produce simple, well-designed graphics, social media assets and presentations using tools such as Canva, and coordinate photography, video and other creative production so content is ready in the formats required by TeachWell, partner and IRC channels.
• Coordinate video documentation with FilmAid and other production partners from brief to final cut, including arranging interviews and filming, tracking production timelines, consolidating feedback and reviewing outputs against project and donor requirements.
• Act as communications focal point for TeachWell consortium partners — gathering partner inputs, protecting consistent project messaging and branding, and coordinating review and approval of products with the Project Director and relevant IRC and partner teams.
• Support communications for education events, meetings and learning forums in Kenya: prepare key messages, presentation materials and coverage plans, document discussions and project contributions, and help the Project Director coordinate representation and attendance.
• Liaise with TeachWell outcome leads across Education, WASH, MHPSS and the Crisis Modifier to identify communications needs and share updates, work with IRC's regional communications, creative and content teams to supply photos and videos for the global content library, and organise approved assets, stories and consent records for future use.
• Uphold ethical and inclusive communication by representing the people and communities involved in TeachWell accurately, following IRC requirements on informed consent, child safeguarding, image use, accessibility and responsible storytelling throughout content collection and production.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, development studies, public relations, science or a related social science.
• Minimum of three years of relevant experience in media, journalism, advocacy and communications, including leading communications work within an NGO or in development and humanitarian contexts.
• Proven experience managing communications strategies in complex, dynamic environments, preferably in the development, humanitarian or international development sector.
• Exceptional writing, editing and proofreading ability, with a track record of producing content that resonates with a range of different audiences.
• Ability to create clear, professional graphics, presentations and social media assets using Canva or similar design tools, plus familiarity with digital content publishing and basic social media performance tracking.
• Experience coordinating photography and video production, including writing creative briefs and reviewing edits.
• Ability to interpret project data and research findings and communicate them accurately to non-technical audiences.
• Strong quality-control habits covering figures, credits, branding and permissions, alongside exceptional planning and organisational skills and the ability to meet deadlines while juggling multiple competing demands.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with a demonstrated record of engaging diverse collaborators, and a creative, adaptable mindset that keeps pace with evolving communication trends and technologies.
• Experience collecting stories and images ethically, particularly when working with children or displaced communities, is an advantage.
• A deep commitment to the mission and values of the IRC, with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities within Kenya's humanitarian and development sector.

What We Offer / Why Join

The IRC and its staff adhere to the values and principles set out in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct: Integrity, Service and Accountability. In line with these values, the organisation operates and implements policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI), Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

• The IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions and offers benefits that create an enabling environment for women to participate in the workforce, including flexible hours when possible, parental leave and gender-sensitive security protocols.
• The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants are considered on merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.