Communications Lead

Job description

About The Youth Platform

The Youth Platform (TYP) is a regional network that amplifies young people’s movements, influences governance, and promotes youth contribution and leadership in the economic, social, and political development of the region. TYP also advocates for the protection of adolescents’ rights and dignity, working to multiply the faces and amplify the voices of adolescents and young people at all levels.

Through its work, TYP supports youth empowerment, coordinated advocacy, non-stigma environments, leadership development, community engagement, and innovative youth platforms that enable young people and youth-led organizations to claim their space in social, economic, and political development.

Role Summary

The Youth Platform is seeking a proactive, creative, and strategic Communications Lead to strengthen the organization’s visibility, brand identity, advocacy voice, and public engagement. The role will support TYP’s internal and external communications, mainstream media positioning, digital presence, content production, and documentation of impact.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer and storyteller with experience in media engagement, branding, development/NGO communications, and advocacy-driven content. They should be able to take initiative, work across programs, and position TYP and its leadership as credible voices on youth, health, development, governance, and social impact issues.

Key Responsibilities

1. Mainstream Media Strategy and Visibility

• Develop and implement a media strategy to strengthen TYP’s presence across TV, radio, newspapers, and online media platforms.
• Identify strategic media opportunities around key national, regional, and global moments such as World Health Day, International Youth Day, World AIDS Day, 16 Days of Activism, and other relevant events.
• Position TYP directors and senior staff as thought leaders through opinion pieces, interviews, media appearances, press statements, and public commentary.
• Draft press releases, media advisories, opinion articles, speeches, talking points, and briefing notes.
• Monitor media coverage and maintain records of TYP’s media mentions, public visibility, and communications impact.

2. Internal and External Communications

• Lead the development and implementation of TYP’s communications and branding materials, including brand manuals, style guides, messaging frameworks, and organizational tone of voice.
• Support the development of policy documents, institutional profiles, capacity statements, concept notes, reports, and other external-facing documents.
• Produce high-quality annual reports, newsletters, success stories, donor updates, program briefs, and impact documentation.
• Ensure consistency, clarity, and professionalism across all organizational communications.
• Work closely with program teams to translate technical work into accessible, compelling, and advocacy-oriented communication products.

3. Media Relations and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, media houses, influencers, and communications partners.
• Organize media workshops, press briefings, media roundtables, awards, and other strategic media engagement activities.
• Develop and maintain an updated media contact database.
• Support public relations efforts for TYP events, campaigns, launches, and advocacy initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships that can enhance TYP’s visibility and credibility.

4. Digital Content, Website, and Social Media Management

• Manage and grow TYP’s social media platforms through consistent, engaging, and strategic content.
• Develop social media calendars, campaign plans, graphics, captions, short videos, and digital advocacy content.
• Manage website content updates, ensuring information is accurate, current, and aligned with TYP’s brand.
• Track digital performance metrics and prepare regular analytics reports.
• Ensure that TYP’s online presence reflects the organization’s mission, values, programs, and impact.

5. Multimedia, Documentation, and Storytelling

• Coordinate photography, videography, documentary production, and other multimedia content needs.
• Develop human-interest stories, case studies, testimonials, and impact stories from TYP programs.
• Support the production of short videos, documentaries, reels, campaign visuals, and event highlights.
• Maintain an organized archive of photos, videos, publications, media coverage, and communication materials.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Studies, Marketing, Development Studies, or a related field.
• At least [2-5] years of relevant experience in communications, media, public relations, advocacy, or development communications.
• Experience working in the NGO, development, youth, health, governance, or advocacy space is strongly preferred.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with media houses, journalists, and digital audiences.
• Experience developing reports, newsletters, press releases, capacity statements, policy documents, and organizational profiles.
• Proficiency in design and communication tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Mailchimp, WordPress, or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of social media management, website updates, content planning, and analytics.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong editorial judgment and attention to detail.
• Ability to simplify technical or programmatic information for different audiences.
• Creative mindset with strong visual and storytelling instincts.
• Good understanding of advocacy, development communication, and public engagement.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across teams.
• Professionalism in representing the organization externally.
• Ability to think strategically while also executing practical communications tasks.

Expected Outputs

• A clear and consistent TYP brand identity across platforms and documents.
• Increased visibility of TYP in mainstream and digital media.
• Regular production of newsletters, reports, stories, press materials, and digital content.
• Improved media relationships and stronger public positioning of TYP leadership.
• High-quality documentation of TYP’s programs, impact, campaigns, and events.

📌 Deadline: 31 July 2026