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Communications Specialist – NurtureFirst

Remote
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Organization Description

NurtureFirst is a joint initiative between GDI Americas and GDI Africa that works to build and improve the systems that support home-based childcare (HBCC) providers globally, so that they can deliver evidence-based, affordable, culturally relevant childcare wherever they are. With a 10-year vision to be in 10 countries, NurtureFirst’s work started in Kenya, where a dedicated team is implementing pilots in Mombasa, Kisumu, and Murang’a counties. NurtureFirst’s vision is a world where all children through the first three years of their lives have the care they need to thrive, families have access to affordable, quality childcare options that enable them to work, and childcare providers are adequately compensated and supported for their work.

What is Home-Based Childcare?

Home-Based Childcare (HBCC) is a form of paid or unpaid non-parental childcare that takes place within the home or dwelling of the childcare Provider, as opposed to a centre-based care setting. It represents one of the most popular forms of child care globally and is often the first choice for low-income families. In Kenya, an estimated 2.8 million children use HBCCs. Its popularity is driven by its affordability for parents, cultural relatability, and accessibility.

Position Description

We are looking for a Communications Specialist who can help us:

  • Share the heart and impact of our work with the world.
  • Develop eye-catching newsletters, inspiring impact reports, and concept notes that open doors to partnerships.
  • Craft a responsive communications strategy that reflects our organizational identity and values and keeps us connected to our audiences—whether they’re donors, partners, or the communities we serve.

Duration: 6 months

Reporting to: Strategy Lead

Contract Type: Consultancy

Role & Responsibilities

As our Communications Specialist, you’ll be the engine behind our voice and storyteller of the organisation. Your key responsibilities will include:

Shape Our Story

  • Design a communications strategy that makes our message resonate with the right people at the right time.
  • Map out our audiences and find the best ways to engage them—donors, partners, parents, and policy champions.

Create Compelling Content

  • Develop quarterly newsletters that our partners actually want to open and read.
  • Turn our programmes and milestones into impactful reports and concept notes that shine with clarity and heart.
  • Transform data and fieldwork into human stories that make people care.

Make Us Shine Online and Beyond

  • Keep our social media and website buzzing with meaningful updates and visuals.
  • Build media relationships and create press releases and articles that get attention.
  • Capture the little wins and big successes in images, words, and stories.

Build Lasting Capacity

  • Equip our team with simple storytelling and communication skills.
  • Organize our knowledge products and content so we can share and celebrate our impact more easily.

Specific content we’d like you to work on includes the following (note: some of this may change, but gives an illustrative sense of the volume and types of outputs required):

Unique Value Proposition (UVP): Refine the NurtureFirst UVP to ensure clarity and develop key messages, and for use in engagement with various stakeholders.

  • A PowerPoint presentation on NurtureFirst’s UVP
  • An infographic that summarize NurtureFirst’s UVP

Communications Strategy: Lead the development of a communication strategy aligned to the UVP, and develop a communication plan to bring it to life.

  • A Communication Strategy and Implementation Plan that includes:
    • Clearly defined communication goals
    • An analysis of key target audiences and tailored messaging that resonates with each group
    • Communication channels and tactics to be used
    • A monitoring and evaluation framework to measure the effectiveness of communication efforts
  • A detailed communication output calendar, including social media
  • Communication outputs templates

Newsletters: Develop quarterly newsletters providing updates on NurtureFirst activities, targeting funders, partners, ECD, and related sectors stakeholders.

  • Quarterly near-final newsletters ready for dissemination

Two pagers/briefs for each of our learning interventions: Develop easily digestible and visually appealing briefs for each of our pilot “learning interventions”, highlighting their design, implementation approach, and learning agenda with graphics

  • Five 2-3 page learning interventions briefs in digital and print formats

Branding strategy and materials for new Global Action Alliance: Develop marketing strategy and materials for our nascent Global Action Alliance in partnership with Smart Start.

  • Logo, refined name, and communications materials for Global Action Alliance. Develop event-specific materials for launch event.

Impact report (mid-line): Develop a comprehensive midline impact report on NurtureFirst’s learning interventions, tailored for funders and implementation partners, highlighting key outcomes, insights, and lessons learned.

  • An engaging report with visual elements such as charts, infographics, and photographs, interviews/case studies–January 2026.

Website Audit: Review the NurtureFirst website to ensure effective positioning of key messages and increased usability.

  • Website audit report that includes an assessment of current messaging, layout, usability, and identified gaps
  • Recommendations for strengthening or repositioning key messages across the site
  • Edited or rewritten web copy for core pages that align with the UVP

Qualifications

What We Are Looking For

  • A creative communicator with 10+ years’ experience in communications, storytelling, or public relations.
  • Someone who can turn technical details into inspiring stories for diverse audiences.
  • Comfort with digital communications, social media, and light design tools (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, etc. for infographics).
  • Experience in non-profits, social impact, or childcare/ECD.
  • Experience working on projects in LMICs.
  • A collaborative spirit—someone who can connect with a small team and make a big impact

Why Join Us

  • Be part of a mission-driven organisation at the forefront of a global movement to uplift quality home-based childcare for providers, children, and the families they serve
  • Work in a creative, flexible environment where your ideas and voice come to life
  • Grow with a passionate team that celebrates partnership, impact, and learning

How to Apply

If this sounds exciting to you and you meet the qualifications above, please submit a single PDF document containing a one-page cover letter and CV/resume outlining your interest in this position and why you would be a good fit. Please note that the cover letter is considered an important aspect of the application and will be evaluated against the qualifications above. Applications that do not include a cover letter will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

 

Apply today