Head of Communications

Educate! is seeking a dynamic and seasoned Head of Communications to lead its global communications function at a pivotal moment of growth. This is a rare opportunity for a communications leader who is equally adept at strategy, storytelling, and operational execution — someone who can build and sustain a high-performing team while keeping focus on the work that drives the greatest fundraising impact and organisational influence.

Reporting directly to the Global Director of Development and based in Nairobi, you will serve as editor-in-chief, brand steward, and strategic communications architect. You will translate Educate!'s complex evidence base and youth livelihoods model into narratives that are compelling, credible, and fundable — ultimately shaping how funders, policymakers, and sector leaders worldwide engage with the experiences and outcomes of African youth.

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of 3–4 communications professionals, setting clear priorities, coaching for excellence, and maintaining a high editorial standard across all outputs.
• Build and manage relationships with external agencies and freelancers, providing clear briefs and holding vendors to defined performance expectations.
• Design and maintain operational systems, workflows, and team rhythms that enable a lean function to produce consistently excellent, high-volume work.
• Develop and execute an integrated communications strategy aligned to Educate!'s fundraising priorities across four key revenue segments.
• Partner with the CEO and Global Director of Development to identify the two or three highest-leverage positioning opportunities over the next 12–18 months.
• Prioritise communications activities that strengthen funder engagement, media visibility, and organisational positioning in key donor markets.
• Surface and craft compelling youth stories, data highlights, and thought leadership content that resonates with evidence-driven funders and networks.
• Build and own relationships with media outlets, journalists, and thought leadership platforms relevant to international education, youth employment, and development finance.
• Own brand voice, messaging architecture, and internal communications to ensure alignment across all touchpoints.
• Define the communications function's evolving scope and role within a fast-growing organisation, ensuring resources are deployed where they drive the most impact.

• Demonstrated ability to lead a multi-channel communications function end-to-end, from strategy through execution and measurement.
• Proven track record managing and coaching small, high-performing teams and holding them to editorial excellence.
• Ability to translate complex programmatic evidence and data into clear, fundable narratives for sophisticated donors and institutional funders.
• Experience building and managing media relationships and securing earned coverage in international or development-focused outlets.
• Hands-on experience developing thought leadership content — op-eds, reports, case studies, donor briefs — aligned with how evidence-driven funders think and communicate.
• Strong operational instincts: ability to design workflows, set priorities under resource constraints, and build scalable team infrastructure.
• Experience working within or alongside fundraising or development teams in an NGO, INGO, or social impact organisation.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English; ability to adapt voice and register across audiences.
• Familiarity with the African development and education landscape is a strong advantage.

Educate! lists the salary for this role as Open, reflecting flexibility based on candidate experience and qualifications. Based on Kenyan market benchmarks for senior NGO communications leadership roles of this scope, compensation is estimated in the range of KES 350,000 – 600,000 per month. Educate! is a mission-driven organisation committed to fair, competitive compensation aligned with sector norms.

This role is ideal for a senior communications professional with 8+ years of experience, including team leadership, who has operated at the intersection of fundraising and strategic communications — ideally within the international development, education, or social impact sectors. You are as comfortable owning a content calendar as you are advising the CEO on positioning strategy. You thrive in lean, fast-moving environments and take pride in helping a small team punch well above its weight.

This role is NOT a fit for: candidates seeking a purely executional or editorial role without strategic ownership, those without prior experience managing communications teams, or applicants who have not worked in or closely with NGO or development fundraising contexts.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application through Educate!'s official careers portal or via the application link provided on the job listing. Your application should include an updated CV and a cover letter clearly articulating your communications leadership experience, your approach to fundraising-aligned communications, and why you are drawn to Educate!'s mission. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis — early submission is strongly encouraged.