Position Title: Field Correspondent
Closing date: 31 Oct 2022
JOB SUMMARY
BOMA is working to lift 3 million people out of extreme poverty by 2027. BOMA’s mission is to provide the people and governments of Africa’s drylands with economic inclusion programs that increase resilience to multiple crises. Founded 15 years ago to eliminate extreme poverty among pastoralist women in Kenya, BOMA has since transformed the lives of more than 350,000 women, youth and refugees in East Africa. BOMA stands out for its focus on last mile populations of the drylands of Africa, who are most at risk to shocks from climate change and COVID-19, tech savvy and data driven approach, impressive graduation rate and 99% local structure based in Africa. Find out more about BOMA by visiting our website: www.bomaproject.org
JOB SUMMARY- PURPOSE
BOMA is seeking a Field Correspondent with a talent for crafting complex subjects into compelling stories powerful enough to inspire action. The Field Correspondent will lead the collection and refinement of diverse participant and program stories representing BOMA's work with various populations and programs throughout Africa’s drylands. They will work closely with the Communications Director and Communications Officer to develop regular multi-media stories and optimize them for distribution across BOMA’s social media, website, and other communications. The Field Correspondent will work closely with BOMA’s programs team to accurately capture BOMA’s work and deliver upon shared communications objectives for relevant partnerships. The primary focus will be collecting written and visual content including impact stories, photos, and videos from the field for broader distribution. The Field Correspondent will play a key role in keeping BOMA’s audience informed and excited about the real-world impacts of our work. Furthermore, they will be the primary avenue for media engagement with BOMA programs, participants, and stories.
This job might be for you, if:
• You are an experienced storyteller with a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• You are personable and comfortable working with people from any background. You are a confident interviewer who can ask compelling questions without making your subject uncomfortable.
• You can work in diverse and sometimes uncomfortable contexts (within reason) to capture a story.
• You have at least 3 years of experience with multi-media content collection and storytelling.
• You are a competent writer who can structure a compelling story to reach identified objectives or audiences.
• You are someone who can get to the core of a story. You can identify and emphasize what engages and motivates readers.
• You have worked for a media house or have a journalism background and an understanding of the media landscape in East Africa.
• You are capable of balancing multiple projects and priorities. You can handle logistical changes and challenges with grace.
Tasks and Responsibilities Include the following:
1.1Content Collection in the Field
1. Work with with BOMA’s programs and logistics teams to plan and execute trips to the field in order to document BOMA’s work and collect participant testimony; act as a liaison between program and communications activities;
2. Work with the Communications Director to identify and develop multi-media stories for broader distribution in line with BOMA’s editorial calendar and other objectives;
3. Collect content for partner or funder communications and reporting as needed;
4. Collect photo and video content for use on social media and in other communications;
5. Review collected content for accuracy and quality;
6. Work with the Communications Officer to translate collected content for multiple platforms and audiences
1.2.Tracking Participant and Program Stories Over Time
1. Responsible opportunities for long-term and complex storytelling within BOMA’s work;
2. Develop working relationships with BOMA participants, partners, and communities where we work to deepen and improve storytelling;
3. Represent BOMA professionally in the field and with partners;
4. Work with the Communications Director and Chief Development and Marketing Office to structure long-term or ongoing stories for multiple audiences and objectives.
1.3. Media Engagement
1. Support the Communications Director and Chief Development and Marketing Officer with coordinating and conducting media visits;
2. Work with the Communications Director to produce an updated BOMA press kit, ensure the kit is kept up to date;
3. Maintain a media list;
4. Engage with journalists, photographers, and filmmakers;
5. Create new media contacts for BOMA;
6. Pitch stories to media and support journalists, photographers and filmmakers in story development as needed;
7. Help train our staff to speak to media;
8. Work with BOMA staff or leadership to draft talking points and prepare for planned media engagements as needed.
1.3 Communications Strategy Development and Support
1. Support the Communications Director in developing communications content and strategies with input and insights from the field;
2. Strengthen the representation of program activities in outgoing communications;
3. Work with the Communications Director and Chief Development and Marketing Officer to develop a long-term media outreach strategy.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Education Requirement – At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Business, Marketing, English, Journalism or a related discipline. Minimum at least 3 years in administration experience.
2. Excellence Strong organizational and time-management skills, ability to handle deadlines and requests with multiple partners and teams;
3. Excellent interviewing and fact-checking skills; ability to capture accurate stories from the field and convert them into motivating content;
4. Experience with photography, videography, and content collection for social media distribution;
5. Experience in storytelling, preferably as a journalist;
6. Good attention to detail, working to a high level of accuracy;
7. Exceptional planning skills; goal, results and detail-oriented with the ability to set and meet deadlines;
8. The ability to lead, work in a team setting, and work independently;
9. Excellent communication skills, both written and visual; ability to craft a compelling and accurate story;
10. Can clearly and effectively articulate BOMA’s work and impact through storytelling;
11. Good interpersonal skills, willing to support all members of the team;
12. Some international and local travel is required;
13. Journalistic background preferred;
14. Location in Nairobi is a must
How to apply
Interested and suitable qualified candidates to submit their application, through My Jobs In Kenya Website using the attached link https://rb.gy/kfrlan
Applications must be received by 31st October 2022. Late applications will not be considered. While we thank all applicants for expressing interest in the role, please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. BOMA is an equal opportunity employer. Women, young people, and persons living with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply