Overview

The Private Agricultural Sector Support Trust (PASS) was established as a project in year 2000 in order to stimulate investments and growth in private sector commercial agriculture through access to finance in Tanzania. In 2007, it was registered as an autonomous non-profit organization under the Trustees’ Incorporation Act of Tanzania, founded by Government of Denmark and Government of Tanzania.

PASS provides business development and financial services to small and medium agribusiness entrepreneurs through linkages to financial institutions. PASS aims to become a leader in the provision of financial and business development services in the agricultural sector in Tanzania and has to date established an impressive track record of success. PASS is headquartered in Dar es Salaam and has zonal offices in Mbeya, Morogoro, Arusha, Mtwara, Kigoma and Mwanza. For more information please visit www.pass. or.tz.

PASS is looking to recruit highly motivated and dynamic individuals to join the Team in the following vacant positions based in Dar es Salaam: 

Communications Officer 
The Communications Officer reports to the Managing Director and is the champion and driver of communications within PASS Trust. S/he has overall responsibility for: developing a communication strategy and plan that are aligned with the wider organizational aims; providing technical and advisory support to the team on communication issues;managing PASS’ relations with the media, other stakeholders and event management;developing, publishing and distributing printed and electronic material, developing and overseeing the PASS website, generating content for social media channels as well as effectively managing staff, consultants and suppliers. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Promote and position PASS Trust as a leading think- tank for facilitating access to financial and business development services for agribusiness entrepreneurs in Tanzania.
• In collaboration with the PASS Thematic Heads, develop, monitor and track the results of communication strategies for the different thematic areas.
• Contribute to and support the Managing Director, Chief Operations Officer and the Management Team with the development and implementation of the broader organizational strategies and business plan.
• Coordinate internal communications ensuring important information is shared effectively across the organisation. Devise innovative approaches to stimulate discussion, share knowledge and learnings about PASS projects and promote cross-thematic collaboration.
• Develop and manage relations with stakeholders through activities designed to support the goals and objectives of the different thematic areas and the overall strategic direction of PASS.
• Manage the PASS website and social media channels ensuring the appearance is visually appealing, the content is relevant, up-to-date and user-friendly. Monitor visitor traffic and propose ways of boosting engagement with online target audience.
• Research, write and distribute press releases and briefings to targeted media.
• Monitor news media, share important highlights and mentions of PASS’S work and thematic trends and identify opportunities for PASS to engage with media practitioners and to share internally generated content with wider audience.
• Manage media relations effectively and ensure that activities that PASS engages in receive positive publicity in the media.
• Coordinate matters related to protocol and public relations.
• Respond to general queries for information.
• Oversee and manage the production and dissemination of PASS publications including a quarterly newsletter, public annual report, reviews, insights and updates and other project driven outputs.
• Coordinate and deliver effective events in collaboration with colleagues e.g. seminars/colloquia on research topics, launches of new projects/initiatives and research reports, professional education, media briefings and stakeholder consultations.
• Conduct regular situation analysis and perception surveys of PASS audiences to establish the knowledge, attitudes and practices of target recipients of PASS’ regular communications.
• Promote positive community relations through events such as open days and involvement of PASS in community initiatives.
• Prepare and manage the communications budget.
• Maintain documentary records in soft and hard copies including books, pamphlets, pictures, videos and other related data.

Requirements 

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field.
• At least 5 years proven relevant work experience, 3 of which are in customer or public relations with experience in communications strategy development.
• Computer application skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Kiswahili and English.
• Knowledge of the digital media/online landscape.
• Excellent critical thinking skills and the ability to exercise good judgment to solve problems quickly and effectively.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Negotiation skills.
• Organization skills. 

Mode of Application 

Tanzanian nationals are invited to apply for any position by sending a cover letter quoting the respective position title, a detailed curriculum vitae, photocopies of academic certificates, names and contact details of three referees to the below address by 15th October 2018. E-mail applications should indicate the position title in the e-mail subject line. Note that any incomplete application will be disqualified. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

The Managing Director
PASS Trust, Patel Building, 3rd Floor, 
Kisutu Street, P.O. Box 9490, 
Dar es Salaam. E-mail: pass@pass.or.tz