Regional Communication Advisor, Food Policy Program – Africa

Vital Strategies is seeking an experienced and strategically minded Regional Communication Advisor to lead food policy communication efforts across Africa, with a primary focus on Kenya and Uganda. This is a senior, hybrid role based in Nairobi, offering an exceptional opportunity to shape public health narratives and drive industry-accountability campaigns at a regional scale within a globally respected organization.

Reporting to the global Food Policy Program leadership team, the successful candidate will serve as the on-the-ground anchor for all communication strategy, stakeholder engagement, grant oversight, and campaign execution across multiple African countries. You will work at the intersection of public health, policy advocacy, media, and community engagement — bringing measurable impact to food policy reform efforts on the continent.

• Represent Vital Strategies and coordinate food policy communication projects across Africa, specifically Kenya and Uganda, ensuring alignment with regional advocacy goals.
• Assess country-level political feasibility and identify key in-country stakeholders, partners, and local grantees best positioned to lead communication efforts.
• Develop, manage, and evaluate integrated mass media, digital media, and public relations campaigns designed to advance food policy objectives in up to three African countries.
• Oversee the development of industry-accountability communication strategies, working collaboratively with staff, partners, and agencies on messaging, media planning, and campaign evaluation.
• Manage and monitor all food policy program sub-grants in Africa, ensuring deliverables, budgets, and reporting meet agreed timelines and standards.
• Collaborate with the senior grants manager and country-level communication managers on grant administration and compliance.
• Coordinate Africa-based communication managers to ensure timely and effective information sharing between leadership, country teams, and external partners.
• Partner with the internal PR team to produce press releases, newsletter content, fact sheets, and other communications materials.
• Monitor political and media landscapes to identify story opportunities, pitch interviews, and position key spokespeople for maximum influence.
• Plan, manage, and participate in events such as workshops, training sessions, campaign launches, conferences, and press briefings.
• Maintain a thorough and up-to-date understanding of the political context around food policy and public health in Kenya, Uganda, and the broader region.

• At least 10 years of progressive experience in strategic communications, public relations, or advocacy — with demonstrated success in public health or policy-focused environments.
• Proven ability to design and execute multi-country, multi-channel communication campaigns including digital, mass media, and earned media components.
• Demonstrated experience managing grants and sub-grants, including budget monitoring, reporting, and compliance with donor requirements.
• Ability to assess political environments and translate complex policy issues into accessible, compelling public narratives.
• Proven track record of building and managing relationships with diverse stakeholders including government officials, civil society organizations, media, and international partners.
• Experience coordinating and mentoring geographically dispersed communication teams across African markets.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, tight deadlines, and multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in Swahili is a strong advantage.
• Master's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Public Health, International Development, or a related field.

Vital Strategies offers competitive compensation aligned with INGO senior advisory roles in Kenya. While the specific salary for this role has not been publicly disclosed, market benchmarks for a Senior Regional Advisor of this seniority at an international NGO in Nairobi typically range from KES 300,000 – KES 500,000 per month, commensurate with experience. Additional benefits commonly offered by Vital Strategies include comprehensive medical insurance, flexible hybrid working arrangements, professional development support, and access to a globally connected team working on high-impact public health programs.

Ideal candidates are senior communications professionals with deep experience in advocacy or public health communications, who are comfortable operating in politically complex environments and have a demonstrated ability to manage regional programs across multiple African countries. You thrive in fast-paced, mission-driven settings, are an excellent collaborator, and can independently lead strategy while managing teams and grantees.

Do not apply if you have fewer than 8 years of relevant experience, have no background in policy advocacy or public health communications, are not based in or willing to relocate to Nairobi, or if you are looking for a purely executional rather than strategic leadership role.

To apply for this position, visit the Vital Strategies official careers page or the platform where this listing was sourced. Submit your updated CV and a cover letter clearly outlining your experience in strategic communications, regional campaign management, and any relevant food or public health policy work. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Note: Never pay any fee — including for notarisation, certificates, or assessments — as part of any legitimate recruitment process.