Assistant Director, Communications
2025-05-29T20:22:47+00:00
Vihiga County Government
https://cdn.greatkenyanjobs.com/jsjobsdata/data/employer/comp_8255/logo/Vihiga%20County%20Government.jpeg
https://vihiga.go.ke/
FULL_TIME
Vihiga
Vihiga
00100
Kenya
Public Administration, and Government
Media, Communications & Writing
2025-06-13T17:00:00+00:00
Kenya
8
Duties and Responsibilities
The Assistant Director, Communications is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and executing the county's communications strategy. This position plays a crucial part in managing both proactive and reactive communications while representing the County's vision to internal and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will be integral in enhancing public engagement, promoting transparency, and fortifying the county's reputation.
Duties and responsibilities
Strategic communication leadership:
- Develop and refine comprehensive communication strategies that align with the County's overall development and policy goals
- Advise senior leadership on media trends, public sentiments and best practices to reinforce the county's branding and public image
Policy formulation and implementation:
- Collaborate with department heads to draft, implement, and update communication policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that standardize messaging across departments and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements
Crisis and issue management:
- Design and implement proactive crisis communication plans
- Act as a key spokesperson during emergency situations or negative press, ensuring that accurate information is distributed swiftly and that public trust is maintained
Media and public relations:
- Forge and nurture relationships with local and national media
- Develop press kits, organize press conferences, and manage high-level media briefings
- Build networks with influencers and stakeholders to amplify the county's messages
Digital and social media oversight:
- Oversee the creation and dissemination of content through digital channels including the county's website, social media platforms, and email newsletters
- Innovate content strategies to engage a diverse citizen base and promote interactive public dialogue
Team leadership and development:
- Mentor and supervise a diverse team of communications professionals, setting clear performance objectives and providing ongoing professional development
- Foster a collaborative work culture that emphasizes creativity, accountability, and continuous learning
Interdepartmental coordination:
- Serve as the communication liaison between the County Government and other departments, ensuring that all public messaging is consistent, factual, and supportive of integrated county initiatives
- Participate in cross-department committees to drive policy consistency and stakeholder engagement
Requirements for Appointment
For appointment to this grade, an officer must have:
- Served in the grade of Principal Public Communications Officer or in a comparable and relevant position in the Public Service for a minimum period three (3) years
- A Bachelor's degree in any of the following disciplines: Mass Communication, Public Relations, Communications Studies, Journalism, International Relations, Social Sciences or any other approved equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution
- A Master's degree in any of the following disciplines: Communication Studies, Mass Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Information Science, Social Sciences or any other approved equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution (will be an added advantage)
- Advanced computer application skills
- Good oral and written communication skills in both English and Kiswahili
- A certificate in a management course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution
- A person of high integrity, motivated and a team player
- In-depth understanding of digital communication tools, social media management, multimedia production, and public engagement strategies
- Strong leadership, crisis management, strategic planning, and excellent oral and written communication skills are essential
- Membership in recognized communication or public relations body (e.g., Public Relations Society of Kenya)
- Demonstrated professional competence as reflected in work performance and results
Strategic communication leadership: Develop and refine comprehensive communication strategies that align with the County's overall development and policy goals Advise senior leadership on media trends, public sentiments and best practices to reinforce the county's branding and public image Policy formulation and implementation: Collaborate with department heads to draft, implement, and update communication policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that standardize messaging across departments and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements Crisis and issue management: Design and implement proactive crisis communication plans Act as a key spokesperson during emergency situations or negative press, ensuring that accurate information is distributed swiftly and that public trust is maintained Media and public relations: Forge and nurture relationships with local and national media Develop press kits, organize press conferences, and manage high-level media briefings Build networks with influencers and stakeholders to amplify the county's messages Digital and social media oversight: Oversee the creation and dissemination of content through digital channels including the county's website, social media platforms, and email newsletters Innovate content strategies to engage a diverse citizen base and promote interactive public dialogue Team leadership and development: Mentor and supervise a diverse team of communications professionals, setting clear performance objectives and providing ongoing professional development Foster a collaborative work culture that emphasizes creativity, accountability, and continuous learning Interdepartmental coordination: Serve as the communication liaison between the County Government and other departments, ensuring that all public messaging is consistent, factual, and supportive of integrated county initiatives Participate in cross-department committees to drive policy consistency and stakeholder engagement
Served in the grade of Principal Public Communications Officer or in a comparable and relevant position in the Public Service for a minimum period three (3) years A Bachelor's degree in any of the following disciplines: Mass Communication, Public Relations, Communications Studies, Journalism, International Relations, Social Sciences or any other approved equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution A Master's degree in any of the following disciplines: Communication Studies, Mass Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Information Science, Social Sciences or any other approved equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution (will be an added advantage) Advanced computer application skills Good oral and written communication skills in both English and Kiswahili A certificate in a management course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution A person of high integrity, motivated and a team player In-depth understanding of digital communication tools, social media management, multimedia production, and public engagement strategies Strong leadership, crisis management, strategic planning, and excellent oral and written communication skills are essential Membership in recognized communication or public relations body (e.g., Public Relations Society of Kenya) Demonstrated professional competence as reflected in work performance and results
JOB-6838c217daf8e
Vacancy title:
Assistant Director, Communications
[Type: FULL_TIME, Industry: Public Administration, and Government, Category: Media, Communications & Writing]
Jobs at:
Vihiga County Government
Deadline of this Job:
Friday, June 13 2025
Duty Station:
Vihiga | Vihiga | Kenya
Summary
Date Posted: Thursday, May 29 2025, Base Salary: Not Disclosed
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JOB DETAILS:
Duties and Responsibilities
The Assistant Director, Communications is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and executing the county's communications strategy. This position plays a crucial part in managing both proactive and reactive communications while representing the County's vision to internal and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will be integral in enhancing public engagement, promoting transparency, and fortifying the county's reputation.
Duties and responsibilities
Strategic communication leadership:
- Develop and refine comprehensive communication strategies that align with the County's overall development and policy goals
- Advise senior leadership on media trends, public sentiments and best practices to reinforce the county's branding and public image
Policy formulation and implementation:
- Collaborate with department heads to draft, implement, and update communication policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that standardize messaging across departments and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements
Crisis and issue management:
- Design and implement proactive crisis communication plans
- Act as a key spokesperson during emergency situations or negative press, ensuring that accurate information is distributed swiftly and that public trust is maintained
Media and public relations:
- Forge and nurture relationships with local and national media
- Develop press kits, organize press conferences, and manage high-level media briefings
- Build networks with influencers and stakeholders to amplify the county's messages
Digital and social media oversight:
- Oversee the creation and dissemination of content through digital channels including the county's website, social media platforms, and email newsletters
- Innovate content strategies to engage a diverse citizen base and promote interactive public dialogue
Team leadership and development:
- Mentor and supervise a diverse team of communications professionals, setting clear performance objectives and providing ongoing professional development
- Foster a collaborative work culture that emphasizes creativity, accountability, and continuous learning
Interdepartmental coordination:
- Serve as the communication liaison between the County Government and other departments, ensuring that all public messaging is consistent, factual, and supportive of integrated county initiatives
- Participate in cross-department committees to drive policy consistency and stakeholder engagement
Requirements for Appointment
For appointment to this grade, an officer must have:
- Served in the grade of Principal Public Communications Officer or in a comparable and relevant position in the Public Service for a minimum period three (3) years
- A Bachelor's degree in any of the following disciplines: Mass Communication, Public Relations, Communications Studies, Journalism, International Relations, Social Sciences or any other approved equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution
- A Master's degree in any of the following disciplines: Communication Studies, Mass Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Information Science, Social Sciences or any other approved equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution (will be an added advantage)
- Advanced computer application skills
- Good oral and written communication skills in both English and Kiswahili
- A certificate in a management course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution
- A person of high integrity, motivated and a team player
- In-depth understanding of digital communication tools, social media management, multimedia production, and public engagement strategies
- Strong leadership, crisis management, strategic planning, and excellent oral and written communication skills are essential
- Membership in recognized communication or public relations body (e.g., Public Relations Society of Kenya)
- Demonstrated professional competence as reflected in work performance and results
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 36
Level of Education: bachelor degree
Job application procedure
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their filled job application forms with copies of their National Identity/passport, Academic & Professional certificates and current Chapter Six compliance certificates to the undersigned on or before 13th day of June, 2025.
SECRETARY/CEO VIHIGA COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD
P.O ВОX 880-50300
MARAGOLI.
Please Note
- County Government of Vihiga is an equal opportunity employer and encourages People Living with Disabilities, Youth and Women to apply.
- County Public Service Board does not charge any recruitment fee whatsoever. Do Not Pay Money to Fraudsters because Our services are absolutely free
- Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification
- Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.
- Those with certificates from foreign institutions must have them certified by the relevant authority.
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