Strategic Communications Officer at Ubongo – September 2026

Job Title: Strategic Communications Officer
Organization: Ubongo
Department: Development
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Employment Type: Full-Time
Job Level: Mid-Level
Minimum Experience: Experienced
Reports To: Director of Development & Communications
Posted: September 2026

About Ubongo

Ubongo is a children’s educational media organization focused on using media and storytelling to support children’s education and learning across Africa.

Position Objective

The Strategic Communications Officer will manage strategic communications for B2B partners and corporate channels.

The role will implement communications direction that advances Ubongo’s mission, deepens stakeholder engagement, and supports partnership and fundraising success, as set by the Director of Development and Business Development Manager.

The position will focus on shaping and elevating Ubongo’s voice as a thought leader in children’s education across Africa. Working closely with the Director of Development, cross-functional teams and external partners, the role ensures that messaging is consistent, compelling and strategically aligned, while amplifying Ubongo’s brand and positioning it as an important player in the global education landscape.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Communication Planning & Brand Positioning

• Co-develop and implement Pan-African communications alongside annual workplans aligned with organizational priorities, particularly donor retention, partnership development and visibility.
• Support the Director of Development in developing communications to attract new donors, partners and sponsors.
• Establish objectives, budgets, resource allocation and planning for strategic communications.
• Review, edit and enhance communications and fundraising materials.
• Spearhead communications initiatives and campaigns to position Ubongo as a credible, values-driven leader in the children’s education sector through thought leadership and storytelling.
• Act as an alternative spokesperson or media liaison for Ubongo when required.
• Lead high-visibility media positioning and thought leadership efforts that elevate Ubongo’s profile and strengthen its reputation as a leading African children’s edutainment organization.
• Serve as the main point of contact for info@ubongo.org.
• Maintain sustainable relationships with external suppliers, consultants, partners, media and vendors linked to strategic communication initiatives.

2. Content Creation & Storytelling

• Lead and oversee the development of strategic communications collateral, including:
  • Press releases
  • Articles
  • Talking points
  • FAQs
  • Briefing notes
  • Corporate decks
  • Corporate advertorials
• Design and manage content calendars and other tracking materials for strategic and thought leadership content.
• In collaboration with programmatic and regional teams, oversee the creation and production of communication materials, including briefs, reports and strategic messaging.
• Work with the team to identify impact stories highlighting achievements, challenges and community voices.
• Attend selected departmental meetings and work with teams to gather insights for strategic communications content.
• Lead and oversee the development, management and execution of:
  • Monthly newsletters
  • Case studies
  • Articles
  • Blog posts
  • B2B video scripts
  • Infographics
  • White papers
  • Impact updates
• Consult on digital marketing, website content and social media campaigns to increase organizational visibility.
• Identify, research and write impactful and engaging content for B2B audiences.
• Develop new and innovative ways to communicate Ubongo’s work and mission globally.
• Manage and maintain Ubongo’s blog and communication platforms.
• Continually monitor, analyze and refine strategic communication messaging to maximize impact.

3. Donor & Partner Communications

• Support the development and maintenance of an annual donor reporting calendar, tracking deadlines and coordinating timely submission of quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports.
• Assist in reviewing, editing and formatting donor reports, proposals, presentations and other fundraising materials to ensure consistency, quality and alignment with Ubongo’s brand and messaging.
• Support efforts to highlight funder contributions and program achievements across social media, newsletters and other communication channels to strengthen donor visibility and engagement.
• Assist in translating impact data and program results into accessible stories, infographics, videos and other communication products that demonstrate Ubongo’s impact.
• Coordinate logistical and administrative arrangements for donor visits, including scheduling, briefing materials, itineraries, site visit preparation and follow-up communications.
• Support the Development and Communications team in identifying and preparing for relevant conferences, donor convenings and networking opportunities.
• Contribute to donor stewardship and recognition materials that celebrate partnerships and communicate appreciation for funder support.
• Monitor donor resource platforms, funding databases and relevant networks, supporting the registration and maintenance of Ubongo’s organizational profiles and identifying potential funding opportunities.
• Maintain accurate donor records, engagement histories and supporting documentation within fundraising systems and databases.
• Provide administrative and coordination support for donor engagement activities, fundraising campaigns and partnership management initiatives as required.

4. Media & Public Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists and influencers.
• Prepare media kits, op-eds and briefing materials for leadership and spokespeople.
• Manage crisis communication planning and reactive public relations when required.
• Prepare compelling talking points, speeches and key messages for funder visits, high-profile convenings and media engagements to strengthen stakeholder confidence and inspire support.

5. Internal Communications & Team Alignment

• Support the Operations team in developing internal communication materials to ensure teams understand and align with Ubongo’s values, messaging, positioning and priorities.
• Support the Growth team in B2C communications when needed.
• Train spokespeople, field teams and program staff on brand messaging and media engagement.
• Manage internal crisis communication planning and reactive public relations when required.

6. Company-Wide Responsibilities

• Exemplify Ubongo’s principles and norms.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports: None specified.

Indirect Reports: N/A.

Key Relationships

Internal

• Director of Development & Communications
• Development Team
• Growth Team
• Executive Leadership
• Function Directors
• Digital & Data Teams

External

• Donors
• Media outlets
• Community stakeholders
• Implementing partners
• PR and creative agencies

Description of Success in the Role

Success in the role will include:

• Increased brand visibility and improved public perception aligned with strategic goals.
• Stronger donor retention and an improved donor communications experience.
• Growth in new partnerships and funding opportunities supported by compelling materials.
• Clear, consistent and engaging messaging across internal and external platforms.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism or Public Relations, or proven experience in these fields.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in business-to-business communications, preferably in education, and managing communications resources.
• 5–7 years of experience in strategic communications, preferably in the nonprofit, international development or advocacy sectors.
• Demonstrated experience supporting fundraising or partnership functions through communications.
• Proven success in leading communications strategies that supported donor retention or new funding acquisition.
• Experience working for social causes related to education, children and youth, or gender.
• Experience managing websites, social media platforms, CRMs and media relations.

Skills and Competencies

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Kiswahili. Fluency in French is an added advantage.
• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to adjust writing style to fit Ubongo’s child-like tone of voice and brand.
• Proven public speaking and pitching abilities.
• Verifiable contacts and relationships in media and the corporate world.
• Passion for education, storytelling and being a change maker.
• Willingness to speak up when something is wrong or when there may be a better approach.
• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills.
• Strategic thinking and planning ability, with a proactive and adaptive mindset.
• Strong understanding of donor-funded project environments and fundraising communications.
• Graphic design and multimedia knowledge is an added advantage.
• Comfortable managing competing deadlines and working collaboratively across functions.
• Honest, trustworthy, transparent and conscientious.
• Marketing skills.
• Ability to prepare budgets, track expenses and report.
• Self-motivated.
• Energetic.
• Flexible.
• Can-do attitude.
• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Planning and organizing.

Job Details

Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Department: Development
Employment Type: Full-Time
Minimum Experience: Experienced

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through Ubongo’s official careers portal.

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