Principal Corporate Communication Officer

How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should apply through the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) recruitment portal at recruitment.kise.ac.ke.

Prove You Can Run a Communications Division, Not Just Write Press Releases

This is a principal-level role, so the hiring panel will be looking for evidence that you have moved beyond executing media campaigns to supervising teams, managing budgets, and shaping institutional strategy. Your application needs to show a clear nine-year trajectory with at least three years operating at a senior corporate communication level.

1. Map your experience to the nine-year requirement: The advert is specific: nine years cumulative, with three at Senior Corporate Communication Officer level or comparable. On your CV, make the timeline unmistakable. Use clear date ranges and highlight the three years where you held a senior title. If your previous employer used a different title, add a bracketed note like "(equivalent to Senior Corporate Communication Officer)" so the screening panel does not have to guess.

2. Show you have supervised a communications function: The responsibilities include supervising content development, managing media relations, and overseeing internal and external communication. In your cover letter, describe a time you led a team through a major campaign or crisis. State how many people you supervised, what the outcome was, and how you measured success. Numbers matter here: reach, engagement, or a reduction in negative coverage.

3. Demonstrate budget and work-plan experience: You will be expected to provide input into departmental annual work plans, budgets, and procurement plans. Prepare a short paragraph explaining a budget you managed or contributed to. Mention the amount, what it covered, and how you ensured value for money. If you have experience with performance contracts, say so explicitly.

4. Prepare for questions on governance and ethics: The role involves overseeing corporate governance principles, corruption prevention strategies, and ethical practices. Read up on Kenya's relevant policies, such as the Leadership and Integrity Act and the Public Officer Ethics Act. Be ready to give an example of how you handled a sensitive communication issue while maintaining transparency and accountability.

5. Bring proof of your media relationships: Managing incoming media requests and building relationships with journalists is a core duty. Before the interview, compile a one-page list of key media contacts you have worked with and the outcomes you achieved together. This could include positive coverage, crisis response, or thought leadership placements. It shows you can hit the ground running.

6. Show you understand IEC materials and publications: The role requires supervising the development of Information, Education and Communication materials. If you have produced IEC materials for a public institution or NGO, bring samples. Explain how you ensured they were accessible, culturally appropriate, and aligned with the institution's brand. Mention any experience with special education or disability-inclusive communication if you have it.

7. Prepare a 90-day plan: Senior hires are often asked what they would do in the first three months. Draft a simple plan: meet key stakeholders, review existing communication strategies, assess team capacity, and identify quick wins. This shows you are proactive and understand the division's mandate. Keep it to one page and bring it to the interview.

8. Align your values with KISE's mission: KISE works in special education, so your communication approach should reflect inclusivity and sensitivity. In your application, mention any experience communicating about disability, education, or social inclusion. Even if it was a small project, it demonstrates that you understand the audience and the tone required. This can set you apart from candidates with purely corporate backgrounds.