Communications and Networking Specialist

The Agency For Accelerated Regional Development (AFARD) in collaboration with six partners (African Agribusiness Incubation Network (AAIN), Omia Agribusiness, Agromax, Tropical Institute of Development Innovations (TRIDI), Uganda Rural Development and Training Institute (URDT) and Gudie Leisure Farm (GLF) and partnership with the Mastercard Foundation will implement a 5-year program, “Sustainable Inclusive Youth Employment Pathways (SIYEP)” in West Nile, Karamoja, Acholi, and Central and Western Uganda as part of the Young Africa Works Strategy to address unemployment
challenges faced by young women in Uganda. The program will directly reach 258,000 young women (7% refugees and 5% young women with disabilities (YWWDs)) and transition 90% into work, and 70% into dignified and fulling work. This will be achieved through institutional strengthening, market relevant training, skilling, incubation, and access to capital and markets.
The program will work directly with Technical, Vocational, Education and Training (TVETs), Local Artisans, and incubation centers and in collaboration with local and central government entities such as Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD), National Council of Higher Education (NCHE), Uganda Business and Technical, Examinations Board (UBTEB), Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT), Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URBS), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), NGOs, CBOs, and existing Young Africa Works partners.

JOB TITLE: Communications and Networking Specialist (1 vacancy)
Reporting: Technical Advisor, Youth Skilling & Workforce Development

Duty Station: Kampala
Employment terms: Full time; Fixed Term: 5- years renewable annually based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
Job Summary
Supported by an independent Communications expert, s/he is responsible for the effective impact communication & visibility of SIYEP program and serve as the link person with the Mastercard Foundation Communication team
Roles & Responsibilities
• Develop a comprehensive SIYEP communication, branding and networking strategy and support downstream partners to develop their organizational communication plans.
• Synthesize and share findings and insights from SIYEP with key decision makers including both internal and external stakeholders
• Develop and facilitate adoption of innovative multi-channel communications tools/methods among consortium partners
• Continually identify, gather and share impact stories and innovations across the program through internal and external channels
• Develop program campaigns and messages that are thoughtful and positioned to reach priority audiences including governments, private sector, young people, and other stakeholders.
• Develop mechanisms, systems and tools that ensure messaging is consistent across all media, fora and consortium partners.
• Build and provide support to program teams around effective internal and external communication as required including resolving issues/crisis.
• Develop and manage the program social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, you tube etc.) and webpage, including drafting posts, identifying stories, data analysis, and managing an editorial calendar
• Stay up to date with the latest digital trends and technologies and share across the program team.
• Support with capacity building of consortium partners through delivering digital/interactive communication trainings
• Engage with key stakeholders including new partnerships and outreach especially targeting young women
• Work with youth ambassadors and young people in the programs to elevate voices and views of young people
• Deliver a regular communication products (newsletter, brochures, video documentaries, social media post, etc.) to the program stakeholders that’s concise, engaging and facilitates collaboration and in line with the Foundation’s communication guidelines.
• Support program promotional events (exhibitions, conferences, youth-related national & international days-women’s day, youth day, refugee days) in line with the Foundation’s communication guidelines.
• Develop program impact reports and end of year impact report to showcase the program’s impact and key achievements
• Support with ad hoc administrative tasks and requests relating to communications.
• Support the program team to mitigate and manage risks and crises including by responding to inquiries in a timely manner, developing FAQs on program initiatives, monitoring and reporting on media coverage and public sentiments, and liaising with internal and external stakeholders to gather feedback on the program.
• Strategically manage the program’s interactions with the media to enhance its reputation, visibility, and impact.
Person specifications:
• A bachelor’s degree in mass communication, Journalism and media, Communication for Development. Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in development communication, impact communication or science communication
• A good understanding of multi-partner programming and ability to effectively engage with different stakeholders through tailored communication strategies.
• Good leadership, communication and inter-personal skills.
• Demonstrated computer literacy skills.
• High level of integrity.
• Excellent communications skills (both verbal and written) with strong leadership interpersonal and listening abilities.
• Willingness to engage in a consultative manner to shape and execute Program Communications, with internal and external stakeholders.
• Innovative and entrepreneurial and able to formulate creative approaches to problems.
• Able to develop strong partnerships and networks that will advance the program’s objectives
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Experience working in refugee-host community settings.
• Exceptional interpersonal, teamwork and networking skills
• Willingness to travel to remote districts of Uganda to support partners as and when required.

Signed Application and a 2-pager motivation letter plus relevant academic & experience credentials, CV with names and daytime contacts of three referees,
and your daytime phone contact numbers in 1-file PDF format should be addressed to “The Human Resources Office” and e-mailed to procurement@afard.net latest on May 23, 2025 at 5:00PM. In the subject area of your email, indicate the position you are applying for.
Polite Notice.
• Qualified females and refugees are highly encouraged to apply.
• Only complete applications will be accepted and considered for review.
• Only those who are ready to start immediately will be shortlisted.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Successful applicants will be required to start immediately after appropriate screening checks including criminal records, child and sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment. By applying, job applicants consent to these screening checks