Communications Lead
- Organization
- Small Foundation
- Location
- Nairobi (Kenya) or Lagos (Nigeria)
- Job Type
- Full-time
- Deadline for Applications
- 04/29/2026
- Where to Apply
- https://smallfoundation.ie/small-foundation-is-hiring-a-communications-lead/
- Tags
- Full-time
Small Foundation is a philanthropic organisation, registered as a charitable foundation in Ireland, committed to reducing poverty and building sustainable livelihoods across sub-Saharan Africa. Our vision is a thriving Africa free from extreme poverty. For nearly two decades, we have partnered with a diverse network of actors to catalyse and scale income-generating opportunities for the extremely poor in rural communities. At the heart of our work is a focus on systems change— addressing the structures that shape economic opportunity—while strengthening learning and influence by sharing insights, evidence, and practical lessons to inform better decision-making across the sector. We collaborate closely with intermediaries that support the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), helping to expand access to finance, social and human capital, knowledge, technology, and markets. Using a flexible mix of grants, debt, equity, and nonfinancial support, we aim to deliver opportunity at scale and ensure that our work drives long-term, sustainable impact across multiple African contexts.
The Communications Lead is a new role in the Small Foundation team, responsible for leading, shaping, and delivering the organisation’s communications practice and services. This position will combine strategic oversight with creative direction, ensuring that Small Foundation’s communications effectively express our vision, mission, and goals (VMG), enhance our influence, and strengthen engagement across our ecosystem. This role is based in Nairobi or Lagos, and will be best suited to a candidate who brings strong professional experience working in African contexts.
The Communications Lead is a new role in the Small Foundation team, responsible for leading, shaping, and delivering the organisation’s communications practice and services. This position will combine strategic oversight with creative direction, ensuring that Small Foundation’s communications effectively express our vision, mission, and goals (VMG), enhance our influence, and strengthen engagement across our ecosystem. This role is based in Nairobi or Lagos, and will be best suited to a candidate who brings strong professional experience working in African contexts.
Lead and manage content generation and editorial quality Oversee and guide the creation of digital and written content that reflects Small Foundation’s VMG and guiding principles – including storytelling, case studies, and multimedia content. Lead on high-quality copywriting and editing across all communications outputs, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with Small Foundation’s voice and tone. Manage relationships with external consultants, agencies, and freelancers (e.g., writers, designers, videographers, and digital producers). Ensure all communications comply with relevant legal, ethical, and brand standards, and that Small Foundation’s communications policy and reporting procedures are up to date and understood by staff. In partnership with Ops, conduct annual risk assessments around Small Foundation’s communications functions.
Oversee communications support to partners
Manage and quality control the communications non-financial support (NFS) delivered to partners via Small Foundation’s comms consultant and other partner intermediaries Identify, scope, and test new communications learning partners and service providers to enhance partner capacity if required. Design and oversee comms learning opportunities for partners to address shared challenges such as storytelling, digital engagement, and message strategy
Lead communications around Small Foundation participation in events Plan and execute communications strategies and content around key events, such as the Small Foundation Partner Gathering, ensuring the generation and amplification of valuable content for Small Foundation and its partners. Support Small Foundation staff in effective message delivery at external events (in-person and online), including providing guidance on framing, positioning, and post-event amplification. Track and share lessons learned from Small Foundation’s external engagement to strengthen influence and storytelling. Manage communications practice resources Lead and support the communications team, including management of consultancy resources and oversight of comms-related outputs from the Ops Exec. Manage a flexible network of communications service providers (e.g., photographers, videographers, designers, web developers) to ensure timely, high-quality delivery. When required, deliver hands-on communications work, including content creation, copywriting, and campaign execution. Support team members in using communications tools and developing effective comms products (e.g., announcement posts, short videos, or social media updates
Lead communications around Small Foundation participation in events Plan and execute communications strategies and content around key events, such as the Small Foundation Partner Gathering, ensuring the generation and amplification of valuable content for Small Foundation and its partners. Support Small Foundation staff in effective message delivery at external events (in-person and online), including providing guidance on framing, positioning, and post-event amplification. Track and share lessons learned from Small Foundation’s external engagement to strengthen influence and storytelling. Manage communications practice resources Lead and support the communications team, including management of consultancy resources and oversight of comms-related outputs from the Ops Exec. Manage a flexible network of communications service providers (e.g., photographers, videographers, designers, web developers) to ensure timely, high-quality delivery. When required, deliver hands-on communications work, including content creation, copywriting, and campaign execution. Support team members in using communications tools and developing effective comms products (e.g., announcement posts, short videos, or social media updates
International travel is expected to make up around 10-20% of the role.
