Knowledge Management and Communication Officer

Knowledge Management and Communication Officer

This Volunteer Placement is Located in: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Start Date: November 2024
Placement Length: 6 months with the possibility of extension
Language Requirements: English Level 5-Fluent
Eligibility: Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada only

The Volunteer’s Role
If you are passionate about helping organizations in Communication and Knowledge Management to increase their capacity in advocacy, strategic planning, and developing policies, this is the role for you. As a Knowledge and Communication Officer, you'll be working with Hiwot Ethiopia along with their team in Addis Ababa.

In this role, you will support the efforts to enhance the organization’s capacity to promote its work and raise advocacy and awareness for sustaining its mission.

As a volunteer, you will:

1. Serve as a focal person for communications and knowledge management with organizations which can support Hiwot Ethiopia’s relief and development endeavors.
2. Deliver technical support to the management teams regarding effective communication and knowledge management strategies and tools to achieve better organizational performance and results.
3. Build Strategic Partnerships with CSOs and Consortiums: analyze and develop materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders; establish and nurture positive communications with partners, funders, and donors.
4. Support in synthesizing Hiwot Ethiopia’s achievements and developing strategic documents such as policy briefs and other knowledge products for influencing policy and practice.
5. Draft press releases, factsheets, newsletters, press/media kits, event proceedings, and news stories for media uptake and to inform key partners and other targeted audiences about the results and achievements of the organization.
6. Support the documentation and dissemination of best practices, case stories, and notable lessons of Hiwot Ethiopia’s programs and projects.
7. Provide support to develop the communication, advocacy, and lobbying guidelines and strategies of the organization.
8. Identify the communication and knowledge management needs of the organization and lead the development of appropriate tools.
9. Promote Organizational Learning, as well as Knowledge Development and Sharing: generate new ideas and approaches to improve the performance and results of the organization.
10. Deliver technical and capacity development support to the organization teams through training, mentoring, and coaching on communication and knowledge management including collecting and writing impact stories.

Essential Requirements:
Master’s degree in information and communication technology, communication and journalism, public relations, public management, international relations, political science, international development, and related fields.

Essential Background:
Applicants need to have at least four years of professional work experience and good knowledge of: communication strategies, knowledge management tools, and information technology and successfully accomplishing similar duties. Good usage of computers and office software packages, properly handling web-based management systems. Knowledge of specialized software applied to evaluation, including IT knowledge to establish and maintain databases and tracking systems. Good experience in conducting assessments and research. Good writing, documentation, and communication skills.

What’s in it for YOU?
A life-changing experience!

About Us, the Project, and the Partner
Cuso International is an international cooperation and development organization that works to create economic and social opportunities for marginalized groups.

Together with our partners, we are focused on efforts to advance gender equality and social inclusion, improve economic resilience, and deliver progress on climate action. We believe that by sharing skills, we can build better futures. Founded in 1961, Cuso International works in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada.

Project - Sharing Canadian Expertise for Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (SHARE)
Cuso International will deliver the Sharing Canadian Expertise for Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (SHARE) project, with a contribution from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) over seven years (2020-2027). SHARE aims to improve the economic and/or social well-being of the poorest, most marginalized, and vulnerable people, particularly women and girls, in developing countries, to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.

In addition to increasing the engagement of Canadians in international development and key global issues, this project will aim to increase the performance of country partners to deliver more inclusive, innovative, and environmentally sustainable development initiatives that advance gender equality, in support of the action areas of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.

Partner - Hiwot Ethiopia
“Hiwot” means “Life”. Hiwot Ethiopia was initially established as a youth club by fourteen young people who wished to make a difference. From these small beginnings, Hiwot Ethiopia grew and developed into an association, then a registered NGO with the Charities and Societies Agency as an Ethiopian Civil Society Organization/NGOs/charity focused on working with children and youth. Hiwot Ethiopia delivers a range of multi-year projects with a number of local and international partners.