Nelson Karanja - Communications Executive - FSD Africa

Work History

Director, Communications and Engagement

FSD Africa

2 2022 - Current

Consulted with key subject-matter experts in fields that are important to FSD Africa (e.g., climate change, early stage finance, development finance, economic development, development impact)
Developed extensive networks of impactful external relationships (including with potential investors, global and regional press, key institutions, and influencers in sub-Saharan Africa); manage and nurture relationships at all levels
Initiated, led and participated in high-level meetings on behalf of FSD Africa, grasping opportunities for mutually beneficial collaborations, as well as ensuring that FSD Africa's values, insights, and positions are reflected
Ensured that influencing strategies are tailored to the various stakeholder groups and included in the overall Communications & Engagement Strategy; aiming to explain FSD Africa's value addition and enhance levels of support and collaboration from key players globally, and regionally in sub-Saharan Africa
Oversaw FSD Africa's programme of high-profile events and conferences, ensuring influencing goals for such events are clearly articulated in results management framework and monitored to ensure value for money. Supported over 40 high profile global events including Global Climate Conferences, World Bank Annual Meetings, AFSIC, increasing FSD Africa's visibility and thought leadership.
Developed relationship between FSD Africa and FSD Africa donors, ensuring strategic alignment, mutually beneficial two-way information flow, and effective operational collaboration
Lead development of FSD Africa's overall Communications & Engagement Plan; facilitating crafting of creative, feasible and measurable strategies to influence decision-makers and support FSD Africa's programs and partners to drive systemic change
Lead FSD Africa's Communications & Engagement team and Pillar Heads to think through FSD Africa's (overall organization and programme) communications agenda, segmenting audiences, defining change goals, developing innovative ideas for influencing and determining key messages
Provided leadership to FSD Africa's Communications & Engagement Unit; ensuring that resources are managed effectively, and that staff and consultants are well motivated
Lead mitigation of risk for all activities in which the Communications & Engagement pillar is involved; including those associated with procurement, cyber security, business continuity, and workplace health, safety, and security
Developed and oversaw execution of FSD Africa's external affairs strategy with focus on stakeholder management and issues management targeting donor markets (UK, US, Canada, EU-Brussels).
Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth
Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices
Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations
Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability
Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization
Negotiated favorable contracts with vendors for reduced costs and improved service quality
Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization

Communications Director

TradeMark Africa

04.2019 - 01.2022

Managed all internal and external strategic communications in 13 markets spread across East, Horn and Southern Africa in partnership with country and programme teams, and ensure that high quality, strategic communication plans are consistently implemented across all countries
Developed media-related materials, as needed including press releases, pitches, talking points and Q&As, reactive messaging/holding statements for external use
Provided leadership on high level visits to TMEA projects by government and donors officials ensuring that strong support is provided on communications and thought leadership, especially on cross cutting themes/issues
Oversaw development of high impact grassroot stories and articles from TMEA projects across countries of implementation
Supported development and execution of TMEA’s brand strategy, focused on amplifying and strengthening TMEA’s brand equity and positioning amongst key stakeholders
Lead communications team in increasing TMEA’s presence in media and fostering better understanding of TMEA’s work in Eastern, Southern and Horn of Africa through proactive and reactive media relations, including cultivating new relationships with journalists and opinion writers from major national and international media outlets
Oversaw development and execution of TMEA’s social media, website management and digital governance strategies
Provided expertise and capacity for local, regional, and international media to report accurately on areas of trade facilitation in Eastern Africa, positioning TMEA thought leadership platform.
Worked closely with country and regional programme teams to ensure high standards and consistency in strategic communications across all TMEA country programs
Guided TMEA's communications team in developing creative and engaging feature and human-interest stories, blogs, profiles, and other materials for internal and external publication
Lead development of high-quality and best-in-class standards for TMEA publications
Lead development and management of internal communications via TMEA intranet
Identified key events and conferences for participation that position TMEA as effective aid for trade organization
Developed and oversaw execution of external affairs strategy with focus on stakeholder management and issues management targeting TMEA's 10 donor markets (Belgium, Canada, Denmark, EU-Brussels, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Netherlands, UK & US).

Ag Communications Director

TradeMark Africa

10.2017 - 03.2019

Managed all internal and external strategic communications for Eastern Africa in partnership with country and programme teams, and ensure that high quality, strategic communication plans are consistently implemented across all countries
Developed media-related materials, as needed including press releases, pitches, talking points and Q&As, reactive messaging/holding statements for external use
Provided leadership on high level visits to TMEA projects by government and donors officials ensuring that strong support is provided on communications and thought leadership, especially on cross cutting themes/issues
Oversaw development of high impact grassroot stories and articles from TMEA projects across Eastern Africa
Supported development and execution of TMEA’s brand strategy, focused on amplifying and strengthening TMEA’s brand equity and positioning amongst key stakeholders
Lead TMEA's communications team in increasing its presence in media and fostering better understanding of TMEA’s work in Eastern Africa through proactive and reactive media relations, including cultivating new relationships with journalists and opinion writers from major national and international media outlets
Oversaw development and execution of TMEA’s social media, website management and digital governance strategies
Provided expertise and capacity for local, regional, and international media to report accurately on areas of trade facilitation in Eastern Africa, positioning TMEA thought leader platform
Worked closely with country and regional programme teams to ensure high standards and consistency in strategic communications across all TMEA country programmes
Guided communications team in developing creative and engaging feature and human-interest stories, blogs, profiles, and other materials for internal and external publication
Lead development of high-quality and best-in-class standards for TMEA publications
Lead development and management of internal communications via TMEA intranet
Identified key events and conferences for participation that position TMEA as effective aid for trade organization
Developed and oversaw the execution of TMEA's external affairs strategy with focus on stakeholder management and issues management targeting TMEA's 8 donor markets (Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Sweden, UK & US).
Secured positive media coverage by proactively pitching story ideas to journalists and editors
Wrote content for press releases, website and social media campaigns
Established strong relationships with key media outlets, fostering a favorable image of the organization
Represented company at multiple public forums and conferences
Oversaw website copy and social media platforms
Managed communications with external and internal stakeholders across entire incident lifecycle

Senior Communications Manager

TradeMark Africa

01.2011 - 09.2017

Managed communication department's $2 million budget
Proactively manage all internal and external strategic and thematic communications in partnership with country and regional programme teams, and ensure that high quality, strategic communication plans are consistently implemented across all countries in the region
This includes ensuring clarity, accuracy, relevance, and engaging writing in all materials that country and programme teams produce
Draft talking points for CEO, Deputy CEOs, and Senior Directors for all public events
Provide support during high-profile country/regional engagements to ensure that dedicated support is provided on regional communications and thought leadership, especially on cross cutting themes/issues in East Africa
Oversaw development and execution of TMEA social media, website management and digital governance strategies
Led communications team in identifying and communicating high impact human-interest stories, blogs, profiles, and other materials for internal and external publication and engagements in East, Central and Horn of Africa region
Led communications team in increasing TMEA’s presence in media and fostering better understanding of TMEA’s work through developing media contacts and promoting newsworthy content and narratives in local, regional, international publications and digital platforms
Led communications team in developing external branding programs on key projects in country/region that demonstrate TMEA’s development impact and brand
Oversaw proactive monitoring and mitigation of reputational risks ensuring that regional country and programme teams develop specific strategies for high profile or potentially sensitive projects and provide support on reputational risk management and crisis management
Led development of thought leadership activities and provide upstream communications support that help identify development challenges in specific country, region or sector and potential solutions, with emphasis on TMEA’s theory of change
Work as part of TMEA’s communications team charged with developing and monitoring high visibility communications plans and activities, ensuring effective coordination of multiple teams, equipment, facilities, and other resources
Lead production and dissemination of flagship TMEA publications and editorial products including TMEA's Annual Report.

Board Member

Tanzania Marketing and Communications Company Ltd

05.2010 - 12.2010

Developed and implemented fundraising strategies, building relationships with donors, overseeing fundraising events, and ensuring TMARC mets its financial goals. Successfully applied for and bid for contracts valued at $5 million.
Engaged with other Board Members and Executive Director to refineTMARC's mission and purpose and help develop strategic priorities, particularly related to fundraising, communications, and marketing.
Developed partnerships with other organizations including GE, World Bank, JHPIEGO engage with key stakeholders, and represented TMARC organization in public forums

Communications Director

Tanzania Marketing and Communications Company Ltd

09.2007 - 12.2010

Responsible for leading and directing all day-to-day and long-term communications and external relations activities of TMARC, advising leadership on communications issues, and serving as organisation spokesperson
Part of TMARC's senior management team, overseeing staff of 10 and annual budget of $4M
Coordinated development and implementation of innovative and effective behavior change and social marketing approaches for Tanzania Marketing and Communications: AIDS, Reproductive Health (RH) and Child Survival Project, UHAI-CT project which aimed to scale up HIV testing and counseling services amongst most at risk groups and MAISHA project which aimed at promoting maternal and newborn health in Tanzania
Worked closely with various governments’ departments in Tanzania's Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (NMCP, NACP and RCHS) and TACAIDS to ensure that T-MARC communications initiatives were consistent with government priorities and guidelines
Reorganized communications department from generalist to specialised function through creation of comprehensive organisation structure, new and redefined job roles to reflect current communications needs
Developed global messaging and country positioning to aid TMARC in building relationships with its key stakeholders: donors, policymakers, and governments
Developed and implemented comprehensive communications strategy for TMARC including visual identity (within USAID guidelines), templates and quality standards
Improved media and public relations approach and planning by repositioning TMARC's thought leadership in social marketing and behavior change communication and building relationships with international press in US, Europe, and Africa.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.

Communications and Brand Strategic Manager

Academy for Educational Development, Tanzania Marketing and Communications Project

10.2004 - 09.2007

Participated in designing, developing, implementing and evaluating T-MARC’s product marketing strategies Including Flexi P oral contraceptive pill brand, Dume Male condom brand and Lady Pepeta Female condom brand
Developed overall communication strategy and behavior change campaign, Kataa Malaria, in Zanzibar that reached over 400,000 people and distributed 250,000 ITNs, reducing by 90% annual number of malaria cases in Zanzibar
Managed $100,000 grants programme in Zanzibar in partnership with Africare to support PMI initiative
Provided insights on market forces, including market segmentation and dynamics of price, product, placement, and promotion
Responsible for developing both generic and branded communications to promote products and behaviors
Coordinated and managed T-MARC partners and vendors both in public and private sector
Developed and maintained image data bank as well as extensive database of stakeholders, consultants, partners for dissemination of publications and as resource for technical activities
Worked closely with programme technical officers to coordinate and facilitate use of different media (e.g., websites, e-learning, CD-Roms, video conferencing, etc.) to best leverage technical assistance activities undertaken by project and ensure that lessons learned are made available to extended USAID PEPFAR regional and international stakeholders
Prepared, edited, published, and distributed project materials including quarterly and annual reports, events calendar, substantive publications and guides, brochures, articles, press releases, web content, and project success stories
Coordinated development, production, publication, and distribution of T-MARC quarterly news publication
Defined and led public relations aspect of TMARC project
Developed organisations’ website – www.tmarc.or.tz and its continuous updates
Organised training sessions and seminars to train on information and communication tools as well as to promote material and services available under T-MARC project.

Media Director

Lowe Scanad Tanzania (Part of Scangroup)

07.2004 - 09.2004

Provided overall media strategy support and execution for all clients including Unilever, PSI, Coca Cola, Reckitt Benckiser, Barclays Banks, NBC, Mobitel, Tanzania Cigarette Company
Managed combined annual media budget of $5 million
Involved in negotiations with media houses for negotiated rates on spot buys and sponsorships
Developed strategic reports including audience delivery analysis and gross rating point analysis to support media plan recommendations including media objectives, strategies and plans for consumer and trade advertising in accordance with brand objectives, strategies, and marketing environment
Introduced recency theory understanding for planning media.

Media Manager

Media Initiative East Africa (Part of Scangroup)

10.2001 - 06.2004

Managed teams of media planners and buyers in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania
Provided overall direction to the media department in support of regional and national portfolio clients including East African Breweries (Tusker, Pilsner, Guinness & Smirnoff brands), Unilever (11 brands), Coca Cola (Fanta, Coke, Sprite, Dasani) PSI, Futures Group, Barclays Bank and The Mediae Company
Managed combined annual media budget of $15 million
Developed media marketplace review presentations covering market and consumer insights regarding media and implications for brand media/communication plans.

Websites

Summary

Overview

Accomplishments

Work History

Director, Communications and Engagement

Communications Director

Ag Communications Director

Senior Communications Manager

Board Member

Communications Director

Communications and Brand Strategic Manager

Media Director

Media Manager

Education

Bachelor of Science - Marketing And Communications

BBA - Information Technology

Skills

Certification

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Affiliations

Skillshighlight

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Work Location

Important To Me

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Awards

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References

Skillshighlight

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Awards

References

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