BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT                                                                                           

Defend Defenders was established in 2005 as the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project and registered as a foreign Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Uganda. DefendDefenders exists to strengthen the work of Human Rights Defenders in the sub-region by reducing their vulnerability to the risk of persecution and by enhancing their capacity to effectively defend human rights. The core mandate of DefendDefenders is to promote the safety, security, and wellbeing of HRDs.  

DefendDefenders also serves as host of AfricanDefenders (the PanAfrican Human Rights Defenders Network) secretariat. AfricanDefenders is a network of five subregional organizations, dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights Defenders (HRDs) across the African continent. 

DefendDefenders also hosts the Consortium for Human Rights and Media in Sub-Saharan Africa (CHARM), which aims to promote and protect human rights and media freedoms in Sub-Saharan Africa. CHARM is a partnership of CIVICUS, Civil Rights Defenders, DefendDefenders, Fojo Media Institute, The Wits Centre for Journalism, Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement, and Magamba Network. The partnership acknowledges the role that a free and active media and civil society have in the protection of robust democracies and the promotion of national development. The consortium has been operating since October 2019.  

 JOB DESCRIPTION         

DefendDefenders is seeking a self-driven, dedicated, creative, highly motivated, and detail- oriented Communications Assistant to support and promote the work of CHARM. The Communication Assistant will support the consortium in its communication efforts, including media relations, content creation, and digital outreach. The assistant will work closely with the Communication Officer and other team members to ensure effective communication with stakeholders and the public. The successful candidate must be able to work effectively under pressure, be a good team player, and be willing to travel occasionally, as required. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:      

The Communication Assistant is responsible for including but not limited to: 

• Assist in the development and implementation of the Consortium’s communication strategy.
• Implement a comprehensive social media plan & digital strategy that aligns with the CHARM’s goals and objectives.
• Manage and maintain the organisation’s social media presence across various platforms (e.g., Tik Tok, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube).
• Create and curate high-quality, engaging content that resonates with the target audience.
• Monitor and respond to comments, messages, and reviews on social media.
• Analyze and report on social media performance using metrics such as engagement rates, reach, and conversions.
• Stay up to date with the latest social media trends, best practices, and platform changes.
• Ensure brand consistency and compliance with organisational policies and guidelines.
• Continuously evaluate and improve the CHARM digital strategy to optimise results.
• Facilitating effective communications among the consortium members.
• Provide administrative support as needed.

SKILLS

• Strong understanding of social media platforms and their various audiences.
• Excellent content creation and copywriting skills.
• Ability to analyse data and interpret insights to inform social media decisions.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Knowledge of graphic design and video editing software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud).
• Understanding of SEO principles and how to optimize social media content for search engines.
• Experience with social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social)
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multitask, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
• At least 2-3 years of experience in social media marketing or a related field.
• Proven track record of success in managing social media accounts and creating engaging content.
• Knowledge of human rights issues and media landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa is highly desirable.
• Fluency in [languages relevant to the region] is an asset.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS  

• Fulltime position based in Kampala, Uganda.
• Approximate starting date: 1 July 2024. 
• 12-month contract period, renewable based on performance and availability of funds.
• Health insurance (in Uganda) provided.
• The selected applicant must be based in Uganda, or able to relocate to Kampala immediately, or within a short timeframe.
• Salary commensurate with experience.

HOW TO APPLY      

Apply with the following documents in a single submission:  

• Motivation letter.
• CV, including two references.

Email your application to [email protected] no later than 24^th May 2024. Please do not attach copies of qualifications/diploma at this stage. Only complete applications will be reviewed. All materials should be submitted via email. We regret that, due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

DefendDefenders is an equal opportunity employer. Therefore, equal employment opportunities and have a diverse staff are fundamental principles at DefendDefenders where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or any other protected characteristic as established under international human rights principles.