Communications & Public Relations Manager

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

The Communications & PR Manager will design and drive an integrated communications, public relations and stakeholder engagement strategy that advances inABLE’s strategic growth objectives, strengthens its brand leadership, increases visibility of its programs and impact, and positions the organisation as a trusted African voice on digital accessibility, assistive technology and disability inclusion. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Strategic Communications Leadership 

• Develop and lead a forward-looking communications and engagement strategy aligned to inABLE’s institutional growth, fundraising, advocacy and partnership priorities. 
• Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leadership, ensuring organisational decisions, programs and public engagements are supported by clear, credible and audience-specific messaging. 
• Shape inABLE’s thought leadership agenda by identifying priority issues, positioning opportunities and evidence-based messages that influence disability inclusion, digital accessibility and inclusive employment discourse. 
• Lead message architecture, editorial planning and quality assurance across institutional communications, donor-facing materials, speeches, opinion pieces, policy briefs, annual reports and executive presentations. 
• Anticipate emerging trends, reputational risks and public engagement opportunities, advising leadership on proactive communication responses and strategic positioning. 

Brand Visibility and Public Relations 

• Drive proactive media, public relations and brand visibility strategies that strengthen inABLE’s recognition as a leading African organisation in digital accessibility, assistive technology and disability inclusion. 
• Build and manage high-value relationships with journalists, editors, development partners, donors, government actors, private sector stakeholders, influencers and sector networks. 
• Develop and implement brand-building campaigns that increase awareness of inABLE’s programs, strengthen stakeholder confidence and support resource mobilisation and partnership development. 
• Lead the communications strategy for flagship convenings, campaigns and conferences, ensuring they generate visibility, stakeholder engagement, media coverage and policy or partnership influence. 
• Oversee reputation and crisis communications, ensuring timely, values-based and strategic responses that protect and enhance inABLE’s credibility. 

Development Communication, Storytelling and Knowledge Management  

• Lead development communication efforts that translate inABLE’s program results, research, innovations and lived-experience stories into compelling content for donors, partners, policymakers, media and the public. 
• Establish a systematic approach for documenting, packaging and disseminating impact stories, beneficiary voices, case studies, learning briefs, research findings and program milestones. 
• Work closely with program, MEL and partnerships teams to convert data and evidence into clear narratives that demonstrate change at individual, institutional, market and systems levels. 
• Supervise the production of high-quality reports, articles, multimedia stories, videos, newsletters, web content and digital campaigns that inspire action and show measurable results. 
• Ensure communications outputs strengthen learning, influence policy and practice, support fundraising, and reinforce inABLE’s credibility as an evidence-driven organisation. 

Digital Communications and Community Building 

• Lead an integrated digital communications strategy that grows inABLE’s online visibility, audience engagement, community participation and advocacy reach. 
• Ensure inABLE’s website, social media channels, newsletters and digital platforms are accessible, dynamic, inclusive, on-brand and aligned with the organisation’s voice and values. 
• Use audience insights, analytics and performance data to refine content strategy, improve campaign effectiveness and demonstrate communications contribution to organisational growth. 
• Build online communities of champions, alumni, partners, advocates and supporters who amplify inABLE’s mission and expand its influence. 

Qualifications and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, International Relations, Development Communication, Marketing or a related field; a Master’s degree is preferred. 
• At least 8–10 years of progressive experience in strategic communications, public relations, corporate affairs, development communication or brand leadership, preferably in international development, nonprofit, social impact or policy environments. 
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement communications strategies that support organisational growth, visibility, influence, fundraising and stakeholder engagement. 
• Strong track record in thought leadership, executive communications, media relations, brand positioning and public engagement. 
• Excellent ability to translate program results, evidence and human-interest stories into persuasive content for diverse audiences, including donors, policymakers, media, partners and communities. 
• Strong understanding of donor-funded programming, advocacy, disability inclusion, digital inclusion or related development sectors. 
• Experience managing communications teams, consultants, vendors, digital platforms, campaigns, events and budgets. 
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, stakeholder management and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Experience in crisis communications, reputational risk management, strategic advisory and cross-functional leadership. 

Core Competencies 

• Strategic vision, growth mindset and institutional leadership 
• Strong brand-building, positioning and reputation management capability 
• Excellent writing, editing, storytelling and executive communication skills 
• Ability to translate evidence, data and lived experiences into compelling impact narratives 
• High-level stakeholder engagement, media relations and partnership-building skills 
• Analytical, creative and solutions-oriented approach to communications challenges 
• Strong people leadership, planning and cross-functional collaboration skills 
• Commitment to accessibility, inclusion, dignity and disability empowerment