Communication Specialist at Centre for Community Development and Research Network (CCDRN) - 2 Openings

Centre for Community Development and Research Network (CCDRN), Vision: A society in which governance and development are community-driven. Mission: To partner with communities and groups to achieve recreation and rebuilding on the principles of self-reliance, self-management, and collective peace. By this, we mean collaborating with key stakeholders to foster development and advancement by equipping society with the requisite knowledge, information, and skills to champion their course.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Communication Specialist

Locations: Damaturu Town, Yobe and Kaduna
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Description

• The Communication Specialist ensures the coherent, timely and audience-centred communication of CCDRN’s humanitarian, peace-building and development work. 
• He/she adapts national communication strategies to the BAY context, produces compelling content, strengthens CCDRN’s public image, and supports programme teams and partners to tell impactful stories.

Responsibilities
Context-Specific Communication Strategy:

• Localise CCDRN’s corporate communication strategy for the BAY states, defining objectives, priority audiences, channels, timelines and KPIs.
• Provide the Head of Programmes with regular briefs on communication trends, risks and opportunities specific to Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
• Integrate communication components into state-level project designs, workplans and budgets.

Planning & Coordination:

• Develop and maintain an annual BAY-state communication workplan and social-media calendar.
• Coordinate closely with field teams to schedule coverage of key activities, beneficiary stories and milestones.
• Liaise with the HQ team to ensure alignment of messages, branding and approvals.

Content Production & Quality Control:

• Lead on gathering, drafting and editing high-quality content—photos, videos, human-interest stories, press releases, briefs and donor materials—from field locations.
• Ensure all outputs are accurate, conflict-sensitive, gender-responsive and compliant with CCDRN’s visual identity guidelines.
• Maintain a well-organised digital asset library (photos, footage, consent forms).

Media & External Relations:

• Map and cultivate relationships with local journalists, radio stations, online influencers and community information hubs.
• Arrange press visits, prepare talking points for spokespeople and track media coverage touching on CCDRN or its thematic areas.
• Support advocacy and partnership events that raise CCDRN’s visibility across the BAY states.

Capacity Strengthening:

• Coach project staff, community volunteers and partners on basic photography, story gathering, social-media engagement and safe communication practices.
• Deliver at least two tailored trainings per year and provide ongoing on-the-job mentoring.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting:

• Set and track state-level communication indicators (reach, engagement, sentiment, media hits).
• Submit a concise monthly dashboard and narrative to the SMT, highlighting achievements, challenges and recommendations.
• Conduct semi-annual content audits to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Administration & Compliance:

• Guide field teams on the correct donor-branding application and obtain all necessary approvals before dissemination.
• Oversee small communication budgets, ensuring cost-effective procurement of design, printing or multimedia services.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the SMT to advance CCDRN’s objectives in the BAY states.

Requirements

• Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree plus additional relevant certifications in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field.
• Minimum 4 years of progressively responsible communication experience, including at least 2 years in humanitarian or development settings.
• Demonstrated ability to craft and implement communication plans and create multimedia content under tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and spoken English; working knowledge of Hausa or Kanuri is a strong asset.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign/Illustrator/Premiere Pro) and social-media management/analytics tools.
• Experience mentoring colleagues and organising training.
• Willingness to travel frequently to hard-to-reach LGAs within Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

Application Closing Date
25th May, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their cover letter and resume detailing their qualifications and experience relevant to the role to: [email protected] using the job Title as the subject of the email.

Note

• Late applications will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• CCDRN strongly encourages women to apply.
• CCDRN is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from qualified female candidates. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability status, or any other protected category.