Communication officer

In Kenya, UNDP supports national development priorities by fostering inclusive economic growth, strengthening democratic governance, promoting climate and environmental sustainability, and advancing innovation and digital transformation.

Within the Environment and Resilience Unit, UNDP Kenya is supporting the implementation of climate action initiatives including the Solar Cooling Project and the National Plastics Action Plan. This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of Kenya’s Solar Cooling project that aims to reduce emissions from post-harvest losses, estimated to exceed 40% in Kenya due to poor handling, inadequate cold storage, limited awareness, workforce gaps and weak financing which directly supports Kenya’s updated NDC and Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy.

Implemented through UNDP and UNCDF, it will drive market-led expansion of solar-powered cold storage by financing 1,000 facilities, raising stakeholder awareness, providing technical training to providers, farmers and cooperatives, and strengthening the enabling environment through courses in e-waste management, circular economy and agribusiness; the project targets the creation of 1,200 jobs, benefits to 60,000 smallholder farmers, EUR 27 million in leveraged private capital, and reductions in direct and indirect GHG emissions of 4.8 million and 3.9 million tons respectively.

The communication officer will lead project communications, visibility, knowledge management and learning. The role will ensure that evidence generated across the project’s technical, policy, financing and implementation workstreams is systematically captured, translated into accessible knowledge products and shared with stakeholders. Project link - https://mitigation-action.org/projects/kenya-post-harvesting-solar-cooling/

Communications Planning and Coordination
• Develop and implement the project’s communication and knowledge management workplan.
• Maintain a communications calendar covering project activities, events, publications, and key milestones.
• Coordinate communication inputs from project staff, government partners, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), service providers, and other stakeholders.

Content Development and Storytelling
• Write and edit news articles, case studies, human interest stories, policy briefs, newsletters, reports, speeches, and social media content.
• Translate technical project information into clear and engaging messages for farmers, policymakers, financiers, private companies, and the public.
• Collect stories, photographs, quotations, and other content from project activities and field visits, ensuring appropriate consent and photo credits.

Knowledge Management and Learning
• Establish and maintain an organized repository for project reports, communication materials, photographs, lessons, and other knowledge resources.
• Document project results, lessons learned, good practices, and challenges.
• Develop knowledge products that support policy decisions, investment, replication, and scaling of solar-powered cold storage solutions.
• Organize learning sessions, webinars, and exchanges for project partners and stakeholders.

Digital Communication and Media Engagement
• Develop and regularly update project content for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Kenya website and social media platforms.
• Prepare press releases, media briefs, and information packages for key project milestones.
• Support media interviews, field visits, and engagement with national and local journalists.
• Monitor media coverage and maintain an updated record of project visibility.

Stakeholder Engagement and Events
• Support the planning and delivery of workshops, campaigns, launches, webinars, field visits, and stakeholder forums.
• Prepare presentations, talking points, briefing notes, event materials, and post-event summaries.
• Tailor communication materials for government institutions, county governments, financial institutions, technology providers, cooperatives, farmers, donors, and development partners.

Visibility and Quality Assurance
• Ensure all communication products comply with UNDP and Mitigation Action Facility branding, donor acknowledgement, and visibility requirements.
• Review project materials for accuracy, clarity, consistency, and accessibility before publication.
• Guide project partners and service providers on communication standards, documentation, and responsible use of images.

Monitoring and Reporting
• Track communication results, including website visits, social media engagement, media coverage, event participation, and use of knowledge products.
• Gather feedback from stakeholders and recommend improvements to communication and learning activities.
• Prepare regular communication and knowledge management updates for UNDP, the Mitigation Action Facility, and project partners.