National Consultant: Communications Lead

Month 1 • CVP (Communication & Visibility Plan) finalized • Annual communication plan + content calendar • 1 blog + 1 social media campaign launch • Set up digital asset repository Month 2 • 1 human-interest story • 1 blog + weekly social media posts • Media mapping + outreach initiated • Event planning (if applicable) Month 3 • 1 human-interest story • 1 infographic + 1 blog • KM Framework finalized • 1 press release • Asset library populated (≥50 photos) Month 4 • 1 human-interest story • 1 short video (Q1) • 1 newsletter • 1 event delivered (with media coverage) Month 5 • 1 human-interest story • 1 blog + 1 infographic • Ongoing social media (weekly posts) • Media engagement (≥2 mentions) Month 6 • 1 human-interest story • 1 knowledge product (case study/brief) • Quarterly report (Q1–Q2) • 1 press release Month 7 • 1 human-interest story • 1 short video (Q2) • 1 newsletter • 1 digital campaign Month 8 • 1 human-interest story • 1 blog + infographic • 1 event (expo/fair) + media coverage Month 9 • 1 human-interest story • 1 knowledge product • Quarterly report (Q3) • 1 press release Month 10 • 1 human-interest story • 1 short video (Q3) • 1 newsletter • Ongoing media engagement Month 11 • 1 human-interest story • 1 blog + infographic • 1 digital campaign • Event or partnership activation Month 12 • 1 human-interest story • 1 knowledge product (total ≥6/year) • Final quarterly report (Q4) • 1 short video (Q4) • Annual communications performance summary

home-based in Nairobi, Kenya

12 months from ASAP

The International Trade Centre (ITC) works with people in vulnerable and forced displacement contexts through a unique market-led approach that promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The approach deploys innovative ways to harness the productive potential of refugees and local communities in the displacement contexts to enhance shared growth through promoting the development of commercially valuable skills and supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in creating value and employment in the host countries through increased national, regional and international business. In the context of this work, ITC partners with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to implement a project titled “Promoting sustainable socio-economic development and creating market-based livelihood opportunities for refugees and host communities” in Kenya during 2023-2027. The project’s goal is to enhance the employability and competitiveness of social MSMEs in refugee settings and host communities in Turkana. It specifically aims to improve the livelihood and self-reliance of refugees and host communities in the targeted region through the following objectives: • Output 1.1: Technical skills of refugees and host communities are developed in selected value chains, • Output 1.2: Social entrepreneurship, business development capacities and market access of project beneficiaries are strengthened. • Output 1.3: Institutional capacity to promote inclusive economic opportunities for refugees and host communities is improved. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Under the supervision and guidance of the Country Manager and Programme manager of the THRIVE project, designated project staff at ITC HQ and technical sections, as well as with staff from the project office in Kenya, the consultant will design and deliver a comprehensive communication and visibility strategy for the KOICA-funded THRIVE project. The role will ensure that the project’s achievements are creatively captured, effectively communicated, and widely disseminated, in full alignment with KOICA’s CI Manual (2017) and ITC’s corporate guidelines. The incumbent will lead to content creation, media engagement, storytelling, documentation of impact, and creative production of visual materials. Objectives: • Strengthen the visibility and brand positioning of KOICA and ITC in Turkana and nationally. • Ensure timely, accurate, and creative documentation of project achievements and human-interest stories. • Support the project’s advocacy, outreach, and resource-mobilization through compelling multimedia communication. • Build capacity of implementing partners in communication and visibility compliance. Key Responsibilities: A. Strategic Communications and Planning: • Develop and implement a Project Communication and Visibility Plan (CVP) consistent with KOICA and ITC branding guidelines. • Prepare an annual communication work plan and reporting calendar aligned with project milestones and donor reporting periods. • Integrate communication indicators into project M&E systems and ensure collection of visual evidence and success stories for reporting. • Provide communication input for KOICA annual and biannual reports and presentations. B. Content Development and Storytelling: • Produce high-quality press releases, success stories, blogs, human-interest features, and donor briefs showcasing project impact. • Design creative PowerPoints, infographics, Canva-based visuals, brochures, and quarterly newsletters. • Conceptualize and script short video clips (1–3 minutes) highlighting training outcomes, value-chain activities, and beneficiaries. • Curate a repository of high-quality photos, quotes, testimonials, and digital assets to support visibility and donor reporting. • Support documentation for key events (Steering Committee, field visits, training graduations, exhibitions, etc.). C. Media and Stakeholder Engagement: • Cultivate relationships with national and local media (print, radio, TV, digital) to increase coverage of project milestones. • Organize and brief journalists for field missions to Turkana; develop media kits and talking points for interviews. • Draft joint press releases with KOICA and Government counterparts. • Coordinate visibility activities during donor and high-level missions. D. Digital and Creative Outreach: • Manage or contribute to project-related social media content (LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Facebook, YouTube) and Web content (News Updates, Web Story, etc.). • Develop digital storytelling campaigns around thematic areas • Support integration of digital freelancing success stories from ITC projects into the project narrative. E. Knowledge Management Reporting and Learning: • Establish a Knowledge Management Framework for the THRIVE project to capture lessons, good practices, and success models across outputs. • Coordinate the production of knowledge products (e.g., briefs, thematic notes, case studies, and toolkits) on inclusive trade, women’s entrepreneurship, digital livelihoods, and HDP programming. • Support learning reviews, after-action reflections, and the documentation of what works and why. • Manage a digital repository (SharePoint or similar) for photos, videos, templates, stories, and communication assets. • Liaise with ITC’s global communications and M&E teams to feed lessons into the wider ITC portfolio F. Partnerships, Events, and Stakeholder Engagement • Plan and coordinate high-level and technical partnership events, such as: • Project Steering Committee (PSC) meetings; • Value Chain Showcases AND Trade fairs (e.g., Turkana Honey Fair, Women in Trade Expo, Digital Work Summit, etc.); • Learning Exchanges (study tours, South–South dialogues, local exhibitions). • Identify and curate external platforms and events where THRIVE results should be showcased — e.g., Refugee Livelihoods Working Group, Nairobi Innovation Week, Kakuma Innovation Forum, Africa Social Enterprise Summit, or KOICA’s Development Week. • Develop joint visibility events with partners (NRC, Good Neighbors, KNCCI Turkana, etc.) and ensure appropriate branding and documentation. • Prepare event packages (concept notes, invitations, press kits, speeches, media coverage, and post-event summaries) as well as overall branding and visibility materials (USB sticks, notebooks, etc...) • Foster relationships with local and national media, community radio, and thought leaders to amplify project visibility. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the THRIVE Programme Manager. Copyright Clause: The consultant has to ensure to have obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform their services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the consultant shall request the prior written permission from ITC. ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind.

• Advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Studies, or related field. • Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in development communication, media, or public information. • Proven track record in storytelling, writing, and multimedia production for development or humanitarian contexts. • Demonstrated experience managing communications for donor-funded programmes. • Familiarity with refugee and host community dynamics and sensitivity to humanitarian principles (Do-No-Harm, Leave No One Behind). • High proficiency in Canva, Adobe Suite (Premiere Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and/or CapCut or similar tools. Skills: • Exceptional writing and editing skills; ability to distill technical data into accessible narratives. • Strong visual storytelling ability and creative direction for video/photo shoots. • Excellent relationship-building and media networking skills. • Strong organizational and multitasking abilities; meets tight deadlines. • Sensitivity to gender, diversity, and cultural context. • Collaborative mindset and ability to work across multi-partner teams.

Excellent command of written and spoken English (knowledge of Swahili an asset).

Not available.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.