Communications Officer Full Time NEW

The Communications Officer plays a central role in shaping FSD Ethiopia’s digital identity and ensuring the organisation communicates its mission, impact, and thought leadership effectively across all digital platforms. As FSDE expands its influence within Ethiopia’s financial sector—supporting financial inclusion, access to capital, and climate finance—the organisation’s ability to present information in a clear, accessible, and visually compelling way becomes essential.

This role is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining FSDE’s corporate website as the organisation’s primary digital gateway. This includes ensuring an intuitive user experience, strong visual cohesion, responsiveness across devices, and adherence to global standards for accessibility, data protection, and cybersecurity. The role also ensures web content is timely, accurate, and aligned with FSDE’s workstreams, research outputs, and stakeholder engagements.

Beyond technical development, the position requires a strong creative foundation. The Web Developer & Graphics Designer will craft visually engaging materials—from infographics and report layouts to digital campaign assets—that help simplify complex financial concepts for policymakers, partners, private-sector actors, and the public. These products will reflect FSDE’s brand identity and support the organization’s thought leadership and advocacy objectives.

Working within the Communications & Advocacy team, the role supports digital storytelling and brand visibility efforts by creating modern, inclusive, and strategically aligned digital content. The individual will also work closely with program teams, external consultants, and partners to ensure FSDE’s digital products advance gender equality, reflect Ethiopia’s diversity, and meet the communication needs of different audiences.

The primary objective of this position is to plan, develop, manage, and continuously improve FSD Ethiopia’s digital platforms and visual communication assets to ensure the organisation maintains a strong, credible, and accessible digital presence. The role is responsible for ensuring that FSDE’s website and digital products are technically sound, visually consistent, secure, and aligned with the organisation’s strategic priorities across financial inclusion, access to capital, and climate finance. Through effective web administration, graphic design, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, the position contributes directly to strengthening FSDE’s communications effectiveness, institutional credibility, and impact within Ethiopia’s financial sector.

1. Web Development & Management

• Design, develop, and maintain the FSDE corporate website, ensuring responsive, modern, and secure architecture.
• Implement and manage the content management system (CMS) for efficient updates.
• Ensure regular backups, updates, and cybersecurity best practices to protect data and system integrity.
• Work closely with FSDE teams to structure and publish high-quality content across thematic areas.
• Ensure web accessibility for diverse users, including people with disabilities.

2. Digital Media & Platform Optimization

• Manage FSDE’s digital channels (website, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, YouTube, Facebook), ensuring consistent, compelling, and inclusive messaging.
• Develop modern digital assets—including web banners, animations, motion graphics, thumbnails, and campaign visuals.
• Optimize digital content for SEO and discoverability.
• Track digital performance using analytics tools and generate data-driven insights (including gender-disaggregated where possible).

3. Graphic Design & Visual Branding

• Create compelling graphics for reports, publications, presentations, data visualizations, and social media.
• Produce infographics that simplify financial-sector concepts for diverse audiences.
• Maintain and elevate FSDE’s visual brand identity across all communication materials.
• Support design of FSDE events, campaigns, and external engagements (backdrops, signage, event digital assets).

4. Multimedia Collaboration

• Work with the Communications team to integrate visuals, videos, and interactive elements across platforms.
• Coordinate with consultants, agencies, and partners to ensure unified branding and messaging.
• Contribute to the development of short explainer videos and storytelling assets promoting financial inclusion, market development, and FSDE impact

Experience

• Minimum Four years of professional experience in web development and graphic design.
• Proven experience managing corporate websites and digital platforms.
• Experience in development, financial sector, NGO, or economic communications is an asset.
• Demonstrated portfolio showing strong technical and creative capability.

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields:
  • Computer Science, Information Technology, Web Development, Software Engineering, or related fields for the web development component.
  • Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, Digital Media, Communications, or related fields for the design component.
• Master’s degree in any of the above areas is an advantage.
• In cases where the applicant does not hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, a relevant professional certificate or diploma in web development, graphic design, multimedia production, or digital media from a recognised training institution will be considered, provided the candidate demonstrates strong practical experience and a verifiable professional portfolio.

Professional certifications in web development, UI/UX design, or multimedia production are highly desirable.

Technical Qualifications

Web Development & Administration

• Strong proficiency in HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and PHP.
• Experience with Content Management Systems (CMS) such as WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal, including plugin management and customization.
• Knowledge of responsive web design, cross-browser compatibility, and mobile-first development.
• Familiarity with UI/UX principles, ensuring a seamless and intuitive user experience.
• Experience implementing SEO best practices and website analytics tools (Google Analytics, Search Console, SEMrush, or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of web accessibility standards (WCAG) and ability to make content accessible to all users, including persons with disabilities.
• Knowledge of website security, including SSL, firewalls, backups, and protection against common cyber threats.
• Ability to troubleshoot, maintain, and update web systems and integrate multimedia content (videos, infographics, interactive features).
• Basic knowledge of server management, FTP, and database management (MySQL or equivalent).

Graphic Design & Multimedia

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite:
  • Photoshop – for image editing and compositing.
  • Illustrator – for vector graphics and iconography.
  • InDesign – for reports, publications, brochures, and layout design.
  • Premiere Pro – for video editing and content creation.
  • After Effects – for motion graphics and animations.
• Familiarity with other design tools such as Canva, Figma, or Sketch for rapid prototyping and collaborative design.
• Strong understanding of branding principles, typography, colour theory, and visual hierarchy.
• Ability to design infographics, data visualizations, and social media assets that translate complex financial and economic concepts into accessible visuals.
• Experience creating multimedia content including video, animation, and interactive digital assets.

Understanding of digital asset optimization for web and social media platforms.

Language Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Amharic.

Personal Attributes:

• Creative, innovative, and detail-oriented.
• Strong problem-solving ability and technical troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to FSDE’s values: inclusion, professionalism, transparency, and gender equity.

Work Discipline & Deadline Management

• Strong time management and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deliver high-quality outputs within tight deadlines.
• Proven capacity to work under pressure, including during peak workloads, campaigns, and organisational milestones.
• Flexibility and commitment to work extended or non-standard hours when required to meet project timelines and organisational needs.
• Excellent organisational skills, with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to anticipate workload demands and proactively adjust work plans to ensure timely delivery.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, enabling effective coordination across teams and with external partners.