Job description

Job Description

The Online Communication
s Specialist/Web Designer is responsible for the
written and visual communication aspects a new website for SUA. He or she will
work with a project team coordinated by a member of SUA Computer Centre staff.
Our ultimate goal is to build the capacity of the SUA Computer Centre and other
SUA staff to create and manage the website. The person in this position will be
expected to contribute towards this goal.

The Online Communications Specialist will manage the creation of content,
design the user interface, edit content and ensure a positive customer
experience. This includes overall navigation flow, layout of specific pages,
and the knowledge and use of applications in the chosen Content Management
System (CMS) to create dynamic pages.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Training, organizing, and supporting SUA staff as
  they create and edit web content;
• Collecting and preparing content for the website;
  
• Ensuring content on the SUA website communicates
  clearly, effectively, and consistently;
• Designing a maintenance mechanism for all pages
  on the SUA web site;
• Providing technical and user training and manuals
  to SUA staff;
• Ensuring that all design elements, templates and
  finished solutions work within a variety of browser types and screen
  settings;
• Working with the Computer Centre staff/website
  redesign committee on style and approach for the project;
• Providing design elements, comps, templates, and
  finished solutions;
• Testing new content before move to production;
• Creating and maintaining metadata and other
  inputs in the system to optimize search engine results;
• Performing image manipulation tasks such as
  creating thumbnails, image resize, file format conversion and simple image
  edits;
• Creating and maintaining multimedia, including
  photo galleries, slideshows, and videos embedded in Web pages;
• Improving the website information architecture to
  provide easier navigation and accessibility of the site to stakeholders;
• Participating in efforts to improve quality of
  SUA web pages as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Online communications specialist;
• Creative, dynamic and forward thinking
  individual;
• Innovative – able to identify new opportunities
  and make them happen;
• Managing websites, including management of design
  and developer staff;
• Cross-cultural interaction across language
  barriers;
• Team player who can work independently;
• Demonstrate ability to prioritize, multi-task,
  and work with minimal supervision in a team environment;
• Strong organization skills with emphasis on being
  conscientious and detail-oriented;
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with
  image editing, desktop publishing, word processing, spreadsheet, and
  presentation software;
• Conversant in web basics;
• Knowledge of multimedia/creative: e.g.,
  interactive/web content, digital graphics/optimization.

Required Qualifications/Experience

• Associates degree/diploma in Communications,
  Information Technology, or related field and/or a satisfactory combination
  of experience and training which demonstrates ability to perform the
  duties above. Bachelors preferred;
• Minimum 3 years as a web content/social media
  manager, preferably in a university setting or similar environment, with
  content development and maintenance responsibilities;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Experience editing various types of web content
  ranging from general text content to specialized digital content;
• Graphics experience with image editing and
  desktop publishing software required;
• Experience in coaching, training and mentoring
  staff;
• Working knowledge of software such as operating
  systems, desktop publishing, word processing, and presentation software,
  as well as experience with social networking websites;
• Experience with WordPress, Drupal, Joomla or
  other open source CMS, including template development and customization;
• Experience with content management systems, web
  analytics, HTML, PhP, and CSS;
• English language fluency required, Kiswahili
  language skills a plus;
• Background and experience in the East Africa
  region preferred.

How to apply

To apply for this opportunity, please send a cover letter, CV or résumé,
three samples/links to your previous web design/content development work and
salary history to alvis@iagri.org by January 22, 2015.

Applications submitted without samples will not be considered.

East African nationals are strongly encouraged to apply