Head of Communications & Social Media

KickStart International is looking to hire a Head of Communications & Social Media to communicate our high-impact mission for a food-secure Africa to audiences in the US and worldwide.

ABOUT US

KickStart is a nonprofit social enterprise with a mission to move millions of people in Sub-Saharan Africa out of poverty quickly, cost-effectively, and sustainably. We believe in the transformative power of innovation and entrepreneurship to improve lives at scale.

Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and operating in 17 countries, KickStart helps African farmers build lasting food and income security by developing and providing affordable irrigation solutions that enable year-round farming. Our irrigation pumps and training have helped over 1.5 million people break the cycle of poverty and build sustainable, climate-resilient livelihoods. Over 15 million people are nourished each day with food grown using KickStart’s irrigation solutions.

YOUR ROLE

As KickStart’s Head of Communications & Social Media, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping how the world perceives and engages with KickStart. You'll lead our communications strategy, create compelling content, and ensure our mission resonates with audiences worldwide while expanding our reach to support KickStart’s mission. Specifically, your role will encompass:

• • Strategic Communications: Develop and implement a storytelling strategy that amplifies our mission and highlights the impact of our work. Create and oversee content that captures the heart of KickStart's mission—stories that inspire action and awareness among key audiences and stakeholders.
  • Content Creation: Roll up your sleeves and dive into content creation. Whether crafting engaging newsletters, developing a visually stunning and informative Annual Report, or orchestrating dynamic video and photographic content from the field, you'll translate complex ideas into powerful narratives. Your creativity and design expertise will convey the essence of our impact and the voices of the farmers we help empower.
  • Digital Engagement: Develop and implement a data-driven digital ad strategy to enhance our reach and ensure our mission is highlighted across all platforms. Drive our digital presence by creating and posting content that captivates and engages diverse audiences.
  • Fundraising Communication: Collaborate closely with our Fundraising team to ensure strategic communications are aligned with donor engagement goals. Create targeted appeals for key donor groups that enhance relationships and drive long-term support.
  • Media Relations: Build and nurture relationships with journalists, influencers, and media outlets to secure coverage that showcases the powerful stories of our farmers and the positive changes they’re experiencing. Develop press materials and media releases.
  • Collaborate and Learn: Work closely with our teams in Sub-Saharan Africa to gather authentic stories and data. Embrace a learning mindset to understand the challenges and successes of our farmers, ensuring our communications are accurate and meaningful.

WHO YOU ARE

You are an experienced and natural communicator with a flair for creating compelling content and a desire to make a tangible difference. More specifically, you are:

• • Experienced: You have 5+ years in communications, public relations, or a related field. Experience working in international nonprofits or social enterprises is a plus.
  • A Creative Storyteller: You excel at creating narratives that resonate. Your writing and design skills are top-notch, and you’re adept at using tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar platforms.
  • Strategically Minded: You can develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies that drive engagement and awareness.
  • Digitally Savvy: You’re well-versed in digital marketing and social media strategies, with a keen eye for analytics that help inform your decisions.
  • Collaborative Leader: You enjoy working with diverse teams and stakeholders and have exceptional interpersonal skills.
  • Passionate About Our Mission: You deeply understand the challenges in the Global South, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, and you’re driven by a desire to make a positive impact.
  • Travel-Ready: You are prepared and excited to travel domestically and internationally as needed to capture the stories of our farmers and work alongside colleagues.

WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION

This is a full-time remote position that offers the flexibility to work from anywhere in the continental United States. Our dynamic US-based team operates from New York, Boston, and San Francisco.