Communications Associate

AEC Ethiopia, officially registered as AEC Business Consulting Plc, supports entrepreneurs to grow their business to improve livelihoods and to create thriving communities.

Recently founded in 2021, as the Ethiopia affiliate of the African Entrepreneur Collective. AEC is a 180+ person organization that seeks both social impact and financial sustainability. AEC Ethiopia will work with more than 1800 refugee and host community entrepreneurs, providing a combination of training, consulting, financial services, and market-level systems change. All of our services ensure that businesses in Ethiopia can thrive and contribute to the growth of Ethiopia’s economy.

AEC Ethiopia has 10+ staff in 3 offices across Ethiopia (Addis, Jigjiga, and Assosa), and we have partnerships with ARRA, UNHCR, and Ikea Foundation.  In 2022, we are launching a new strategic plan to reach beyond what we have previously thought possible.

We have a diverse staff, who all embody the company’s culture. In addition to the skills above, all candidates must demonstrate our core values:

• Purpose: be solutions-oriented and produce high-quality work and be a global leader.

• Achievement: Showing up over and over again to get the work done right. 

• Improvement: Be humble and committed to continuous learning and growing. Improve through giving and receiving open and accurate feedback

• Bravery: willing to take risks and create a safe space for others. Be compassionate and inclusive.
  

• Turikumwe/Tuko Pamoja/Abren Nen/Waliin Jirra/We are Together: We appreciate our colleagues, celebrate success, and support each other in hard times.
  

The purpose of the Communications Associate position is to raise the visibility of the organization in Ethiopia to our key stakeholders, including government, donors, and local and international media. We are seeking candidates with previous communications, PR and media experience, a brilliant writer, and with powerful communications and storytelling skills. 

COMMUNICATIONS (40%):

● Develop communications materials that showcase AEC Ethiopia’s impact

● Coordinate AEC Ethiopia’s communications campaigns

● Write compelling blogs/client profiles  that highlight key aspects of AEC Ethiopia work

● Contribute to external publications including annual reports, with story ideas, photos, and developing distribution

● Internal communications – contribute to the monthly internal staff newsletter 

 PUBLIC RELATIONS & MEDIA (30%)

● Maintain relationships with key press outlets in Ethiopia for top placement of AEC Ethiopia content

● Create content for media campaigns, including press releases, media kits, and social media content

● Prepare logistics and content for the Ethiopia Managing Director to interact successfully with the media

● Event planning for AEC Ethiopia’s events: pitch events, conferences, entrepreneurship forums, etc.

● Manage vendors for the production of videos, photos, and other PR assets for Ethiopia

● Research social media trends and inform management of changes that are relevant to the

company’s activities

● Train and involve staff in campaigns to drive our social media, communications and brand for Ethiopia

MARKETING (30%)

● Highlight AEC Ethiopia’s value proposition to SMEs across the country in alignment with sales goals.

● Recruit clients through compelling marketing for various campaigns and competitions with various stakeholders

● Manage the AEC Ethiopia website and social media to reach potential clients

● Use social media and research tools to create and maintain the employer brand

● Follow up on production of promotional including banners, tshirts, fliers, and other collateral required to promote the company.

The Communications Officer will be passionate about how business can be a force for social change, and will be able to effectively and efficiently translate that passion into compelling messages.

• Bachelor's degree in Communications or any other relevant skill required

• Must have 2 to 3 years working experience 

• Great communicator, fluent in English & any other local language both verbally and in writing

• Well-developed networking skills, excellent presentation and communication skills

• Ability to work on a tight deadline and independently

• Experience placing campaigns with local and international media outlets

• Graphic design experience will be an added advantage

• Software skills in Mail Chimp, Canvas, and other tech-enabled communications

• Experience in video production or managing communication consultants

• Fun, collaborative work environment

• Opportunity to work with a talented, passionate, and committed team of professionals

• Challenging work and the opportunity to grow and develop your skills

• Ability to make a significant social impact and contribute to economic growth 

 COMPENSATION

• Competitive benefits package - salary, and potential KPI-based bonus, favorable policies like health insurance, staff savings program, parental leave, sabbatical program, and more. It also gives you the chance to connect with colleagues across East Africa in a supportive and inclusive environment. In addition, this role is a tremendous opportunity to work in a high-growth, mission-driven organization.