Communications Officer

About US

AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) is a leading non-profit development organization supporting innovative agribusiness and renewable energy enterprises to reduce rural poverty, promote resilient communities, and create jobs.

We catalyze the private sector by surfacing and commercializing new ideas, business models, and technologies designed to increase agricultural productivity, improve farmer incomes, expand clean energy access, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve resilience to the effects of climate change. We finance high-risk businesses that struggle to access commercial funding. We are committed to working in frontier markets, fragile contexts, and high-risk economies where few mainstream financing institutions dare to go.

Strong, strategic communication, both internal and external, is central to our mission. Internally, it connects teams and aligns efforts across programs and geographies. Externally, it enables us to share insights, amplify impact, engage stakeholders, and position AECF as a thought leader in inclusive enterprise development.

Over 17 years, we have supported 536 businesses in 27 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, impacted more than 36 million lives, created over 35,000 direct jobs, and leveraged US$840 million in matching funds.

The Role

The Communications Officer will play a central role in implementing and monitoring AECF’s communications strategy, supporting content creation across digital platforms, and coordinating both internal and external messaging.

AECF is looking for someone who takes initiative and proactively seeks out opportunities in external communications, leveraging the wealth of content generated across AECF’s work. The role requires an individual who can turn insights and results into compelling stories that resonate with diverse audiences across national, regional, and global levels.

The incumbent will work closely with colleagues in Strategy & Partnerships, Program Management, and Impact & Learning to source, curate, and amplify thought leadership, program highlights, and success stories. This is a hands-on role for a dynamic communicator who thrives in a collaborative environment and can confidently translate technical work into engaging narratives across multiple channels.

This role will report to the Communications Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communication strategies and plans aligned with program objectives.
• Be the custodian of consistent and coherent communication across all channels, ensuring alignment in messaging, tone, branding, copy, and visual identity.
• Create and disseminate content (blogs, videos, newsletters, reports, etc.) for digital, print, and media channels.
• Coordinate internal communications and support AECF events, programs, campaigns, and launches.
• Manage digital platforms and drive engagement through social media and website content.
• Support media relations, maintain a visual asset library, and manage external communication vendors.
• Package and share thought leadership and impact insights across audiences.
• Provide communications advice on reputational matters and strategic messaging.

Suitable candidates should:

• Possess a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Affairs, Social Sciences, Knowledge Management, or a related field is required.
• Be a member of a recognized professional body (e.g., Public Relations Society or Communications Association).
• Have a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or media, ideally within a development, donor, or impact-driven organization.
• Be able to demonstrate success in managing multi-channel communications campaigns and translating technical or impact-driven content into compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
• Have hands-on experience managing digital platforms (social media, CMS websites, etc.) and developing content that drives user engagement.
• Be able to demonstrate familiarity with working across different cultural contexts and with international partners.
• Have strong writing and editing skills, with proven ability to produce high-quality content under tight deadlines.
• Possess excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to build relationships across internal teams and with external stakeholders.
• Have an analytical way of thinking and strategic planning capabilities to identify and communicate key messages effectively.
• Demonstrate proficiency in using digital communications tools, design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe), and analytics platforms.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and deliver within deadlines.
• Be fluent in English. Proficiency in additional languages, e.g., French, is an added advantage.