Program Communications Manager

Job DescriptionTitle: Program Communications ManagerReports to: Director, Strategic Communications and MarketingMatrix Management: N/ASupervises: Field Communications Officers and AssistantsLocation: Nairobi, Kenya (with significant travel) Job Summary The Program Communications Manager has primary responsibility for developing and overseeing communications strategies and deliverables for AWF’s landscape-based programs, working closely with colleagues responsible for thought leadership and corporate communications. The role plays a critical role in strengthening AWF’s brand visibility and storytelling across priority landscapes. This role serves as a strategic liaison between field offices and the global communications team, ensuring that field-generated content, country-level communications, and grants-related communications are aligned with AWF’s brand and strategic priorities.The manager will provide day-to-day leadership and coordination of country-level communications teams, lead on integrating communications into proposal development, and oversee project management of field communications deliverables using platforms such as ClickUp. The role is ideal for a highly organized, collaborative, and proactive professional with a passion for impactful storytelling and conservation communications. ResponsibilitiesStrategic Planning and CoordinationUnder direction of the Director, Strategic Communications and Marketing, manage develop and execute of program-level communications plans in collaboration with account leads, country directors, and field teams.Manage execution of communications deliverables to ensure they are aligned with overall program work plans, budgets, and strategic priorities.Represent the communications function in proposal development meetings to ensure communications is well-resourced and strategically embedded in new programs.Collaborate with brand leadership to ensure program storytelling supports AWF’s strategic goals and reporting indicators and donors are appropriately credited in program communications materialsRepresent the communications team in country planning, strategic discussions, and special initiatives.Field Team Management and OversightSupervise and mentor Field Communications Officers and Assistants across multiple countries.Set clear annual performance goals for direct reports in consultation with country directors and the Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing.Lead regular check-in calls with field communications teams to share updates, surface challenges, and identify opportunities.Support the professional development of field teams through coaching and targeted training.Content Development and Editorial CalendarManage the field content pipeline, including the development and maintenance of an editorial calendar with a focus on country-level blogs, feature stories, and visual assets.Coordinate with the web and creative team to ensure high-quality, timely delivery of communications products.Support content management processes, including updating Canto (AWF’s digital asset management system) and training field staff in its use.Ensure consistent tagging, storage, and sharing of stories for organization-wide use including publishing of blogs on awf.orgContribute to the documentation and dissemination of project results, lessons learned, and success stories.Media and Public RelationsIn collaboration with the media HQ team, build relationships with key journalists in priority landscapes, especially local and foreign correspondents.Support country teams in identifying media-worthy stories and gathering the necessary information and visuals.Assist in organizing media tours and strategic media engagements in AWF priority countries.Training and Capacity BuildingLead and coordinate training sessions for field staff, including storytelling, photography (including mobile-based), media engagement, and crisis communications.Support the delivery of targeted media training for country directors and key technical spokespeople in partnership with the media team.Help foster a culture of storytelling and adherence to brand guidelines across country teams.Program Implementation and ReportingTrack and monitor the implementation of field communications deliverables tied to grant agreements, coordinating with other communications and program teams.Support the integration of communications content into donor reports and visibility requirements.Qualifications and ExperienceBachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, International Development, or a related field.Minimum of 7 years’ experience in communications, with at least 3 years in a managerial or field-based role.Proven experience working in Africa or with Africa-based teams in the NGO, development, or conservation sectors.Strong project management skills, including familiarity with tools like ClickUp.Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with a portfolio of published work.Demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor geographically dispersed teams.Understanding of donor communications requirements and proposal development processes.Ability to travel frequently to field offices and work effectively in multicultural environments.Key CompetenciesStrategic thinker with a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach.Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.Strong interpersonal and communication skills.Comfortable working across different time zones and cultures.Passion for conservation and sustainable development in Africa.