Content Associate (Fixed Term Contract)

The Content Associate Manager will build out Kenya’s content collection system and improve our in-country storytelling: empowering the people receiving cash transfers (recipients) to tell their own stories and enabling the content team to collect content that will drive awareness of the voices of people in poverty. They’ll also support the in-country office’s work representing our work and impact on external stakeholders through field visits and reports under the direct supervision of the Manager - External Relations.

Unique and transparent recipient story collection has been vital in driving awareness for GiveDirectly’s work, enabling us to raise and deliver more funds to people in poverty. Public efforts like GDLive, as well as our short film and social media posts, bring public attention to the specific lives of the people we seek to assist. Specific, unfiltered stories of the recipients donors reached encourage continued giving.

Responsibilities:

Content Collection- 50%

• Own information gathering and storytelling about GiveDirectly’s programmes, identifying people, programme moments, field activities and data that can become high-value content.
• Coordinate the production, filming and editing of recipient stories and other field-based content.
• Write and edit articles, recipient stories and other content, conducting interviews as needed.
• Generate, research and pitch content ideas aligned with Kenya’s programmes and strategic priorities.
• Develop and maintain a Kenya content strategy and editorial calendar aligned with GiveDirectly’s strategic priorities, programmes and external relations objectives.
• Translate complex programme, policy and external relations work into clear, compelling and accessible stories for different audiences.
• Improve and codify content collection practices, setting and maintaining standards for the quantity and quality of stories collected by the Content team.
• Maintain a photo and video asset library, including metadata tagging and consent tracking.
• Support the Content Creation Manager in training in-country teams on GDLives and content collection practices.
• Collaborate with Partnerships, Growth and in-country management teams to build buy-in and deliver against cross-functional content priorities.

Content Innovation - 20%

• Drive innovation in creative styles and techniques for documenting GiveDirectly’s work.
• Cultivate a roster of local filmmakers, photographers and artists for special projects and creative collaborations.
• Collaborate with recipients to enable them to tell their own stories through appropriate technology, tools and training.
• Shoot and edit high-quality short-form video, photography and digital stories for social media, donor communications, reports and external engagements.
• Produce reels, short documentaries, photo essays, interviews, event coverage and other multimedia formats.
• Develop creative concepts, storyboards and production plans for multimedia projects.
• Independently capture high-quality content during field visits and programme activities.
• Adapt and edit content for different platforms and audiences while maintaining GD’s brand and safeguarding standards.
• Build and maintain a reusable library of high-quality Kenya imagery, video, recipient stories, programme footage and organisational assets.

External Relations- 25%

• Host and coordinate field visits for government officials, donors and partners, ensuring high-quality stakeholder engagement.
• Represent GiveDirectly in appropriate stakeholder meetings and support relationship management with government counterparts.
• Provide strategic support to assigned government functions, including identifying and managing communications risks and issues.
• Capture and package key moments from government, donor and partner engagements into compelling proof-of-impact materials, including factsheets, photo essays and briefing assets.
• Support the preparation of communications and materials for key government, donor and partner engagements.
• Identify opportunities where storytelling can strengthen stakeholder relationships and GiveDirectly's positioning.
• Manage the Government Relations contact database, dashboards and communications asset management.
• Maintain a repository of approved Kenya programme evidence, photography, videos, quotes, stories and other communications assets.
• Support internal training and capacity building on Government and External Relations priorities.

Kenya media calendar (5%)

• Support the preparation and production of the quarterly reports
• Perform other duties as and when required

Requirements:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong writing skills
• Excellent organisational and project management skills
• Excellent video production skills (scripting, researching & hiring freelancers, post production editorial skills)
• Self starter who is able to figure things out and hit deadlines
• An excitement and energy for the work we do
• Demonstrated experience working well across distributed, multi-cultural teams
• Fluent in English
• Degree in related field
• Relevant experience in Communications/media and content development
• Alignment with GiveDirectly core values and commitment to advancing GD’s mission
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information
• Good interpersonal; communication skills and coaching skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Attention to detail, good numerical skills
• Ability to work in a strict deadline-driven environment
• Maintains healthy team dynamics through well-developed conflict management skills
• Recognizes and acknowledges team and individual performance

Nice to haves: (not requirements, but mention if this is you)

• Canva or Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator/Premiere experience
• Experience with camera technologies (single or multiple camera shoots)
• Professional storytelling / creative writing experience
• Video editing for social: Premiere, CapCut, or DaVinci; comfort with vertical/short-form
• Working through an interpreter, or interviewing in a language other than the one you write in