Regional Communications Lead

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications for a Regional Communications Lead to join our dedicated and talented team in Kenya on our mission to create business solutions to poverty on support to East and Southern Africa Region.

MEDA’s work is built on a foundation of Mennonite business roots and faith-based values, within the global context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website at www.meda.org.

The Regional Communications Lead will provide strategic leadership and hands-on support for communications, visibility, storytelling, and stakeholder engagement across the ESA portfolio, while providing targeted support to priority initiatives within the region. The role will ensure coherent messaging, donor visibility, reputational risk management, and high-quality content that reflects MEDA’s priorities and the inclusive, systems-change objectives of the Organization.

Occasional international travel.

Job Status: Full-Time

Expected Start Date: To be confirmed, contingent upon confirmation of funding

Location(s): On site

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Develop and implement a communications strategy aligned with MEDA priorities, needs, and project visibility requirements.
• Advise leadership and project teams on messaging, positioning, audience targeting, and reputational considerations.
• Ensure communications reflect corporate brand standards while being adapted appropriately to and project context.

Project & Donor Communications

• Support ESA Program Portfolio with donor-aligned communications products, visibility materials, briefing notes, and engagement content.
• Ensure communications outputs reflect project priorities such as women’s and youth inclusion, resilience, market-systems change, and partnership-driven impact.
• Advise on communications approaches for high-visibility or politically sensitive initiatives and stakeholder interactions.

Content Development and Storytelling

• Produce and/or oversee development of impact stories, human-interest content, briefs, digital content, and thought-leadership materials.
• Ensure content is culturally relevant, donor-appropriate, brand-aligned, and grounded in credible evidence.
• Work with technical and project teams to translate complex implementation and results information into accessible communications products.

Stakeholder Engagement and Media Relations

• Manage proactive and reactive media engagement, stakeholder-facing communications, and event-related visibility support.
• Build and maintain relationships with relevant external stakeholders, partners, and communications counterparts.
• Represent MEDA at events, engagements, and convenings as needed

Team Leadership and Project Management

• Manage consultants and communications budgets
• Monitor effectiveness of communication
• Produce performance reports
• Mentor junior staff and interns (where applicable)

Any other duties and/or requirements as assigned

REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Master’s degree and professional qualification

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years’ professional experience in public engagement and/or communications
• At least 3 years in region
• Experience in international development, NGOs, or foundations
• Strategic messaging and communications strategy development
• Media relations in Francophone and Anglophone Africa
• High proficiency in writing, editing, and storytelling
• Bilingual fluency in English and French (depending on region, language requirements may vary). Added Value: Fluency in Portuguese is a plus

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS INCLUDE:

• Ability and willingness for frequent travel in the region

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 13, 2026 @ 8:00 PM ET.

MEDA welcomes and encourages applications from all genders, backgrounds, religions, cultures, nationalities and abilities.

Accommodation is available on request for candidates with disabilities taking part in the selection process.

MEDA is not in a position to sponsor or assist candidates in obtaining work permits. Employees are required to establish that they will be able to work legally in the country the role is in during the course of employment.

MEDA does not use AI for screening, assessing or selecting applicants.