Director of Brand and Storytelling

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY & RESPONSIBILITY

Reporting to the VP of External Affairs, the Director of Brand & Storytelling is responsible for defining and driving a distinctive, credible, and client-centered brand narrative across all markets. We are looking for a creative and strategic leader excited to push beyond traditional development communications and help reshape narratives around displacement affected entrepreneurs through bold, credible, and client-centered storytelling.

This role sets the strategic direction for communications, brand, and storytelling, ensuring that Inkomoko stands out with clarity, credibility, and consistency regionally as well as across Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Chad. 

The Director leads through a team of managers responsible for brand, digital, campaigns, and regional communications, focusing on alignment, quality of narrative, and impact, rather than direct execution.

Success in this role is measured by brand strength, narrative clarity, leadership trust, and measurable influence, not just outputs. 

Core Responsibilities:

Brand & Narrative Leadership

Define and refine a clear, distinctive brand positioning rooted in client impact and credibility

Own the organization’s core story, messaging framework, and narrative priorities

Ensure all communications reflect a client-first perspective and stand out from generic sector narratives

Set and maintain a high bar for clarity, authenticity, and evidence-based storytelling

Ensure all country and functional communications efforts reinforce a unified brand narrative while remaining locally relevant and audience-centered

Push the organization toward more creative, modern, and differentiated storytelling approaches that reshape how audiences understand entrepreneurship in displacement-affected communities and its impact

Strategic Communications Direction

Set overall communications and thought leadership strategy and annual goals that elevates Inkomoko’s brand, increases its reach, and aligns quarterly priorities with organizational goals

Align senior leadership and country teams around clear messaging and positioning, including strategic positioning and resource mobilization

Provide strategic guidance on high-impact opportunities, risks, and external communications including with partners and donors 

Lead crisis communications direction and protect the organization’s reputation

Build and maintain relationships with national and regional media, identifying unique press opportunities to amplify thought leadership content from senior leadership

Shape and lead internal communications that keep teams informed, connected, and aligned around organizational priorities, culture, and impact

Team Management and Development 

Lead and coach managers across brand, digital, campaigns, and regional communications

Ensure strong coordination across the regional and country to drive consistent messaging

Build clear planning, review, and approval systems that help teams deliver high-quality work without unnecessary bottlenecks.

Drive focus and prioritization so all work aligns with core narrative goals

Oversee collaboration with the Development and Advocacy teams to align communications strategies with fundraising, donor engagement, policy influence, and organizational visibility goals.

Foster a culture of clarity, accountability, creativity, and strong editorial standards across the communications function.

Influence and Stakeholder Positioning  

Develop and lead Inkomoko’s media relations strategy across regional and country markets, in alignment with organizational priorities and external affairs goals.

Strengthen external credibility with donors, governments, media, and clients

Prepare the CEO, senior leaders, and country spokespeople for media interviews, panels, public events, and high-visibility external engagements.

Work with country and regional teams to manage media opportunities in ways that are accurate, locally relevant, client-centered, and risk-aware.

Provide strategic communications counsel on messaging and external positioning to the CEO and senior leadership in partnership with the VP of External Affairs 

Translate organizational priorities into clear external positioning for high-value stakeholder moments.

Requirements

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a strategic and creative communications leader who has experience building a distinctive brand, shaping compelling narratives, and elevating organizational visibility with credibility and clarity.

This person is both a strong storyteller and a strong strategist - someone who can see the bigger picture, guide teams toward high-quality execution, and help Inkomoko stand out through authentic, client-centered storytelling.

Qualifications, Skills, and Requirements:

Master’s degree in communications, journalism, international affairs, or a related field. 

10+ years of experience in communications, brand, storytelling, media, or related fields

Demonstrated ability to develop fresh, culturally relevant, and nontraditional storytelling approaches that shift audience perception and engagement

Ability to ensure storytelling is evidence-based, accurate, and grounded in client impact and organizational results

Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate organizational priorities into clear communication direction

Experience leading and developing high-performing teams

Ability to simplify complex ideas into compelling, clear, and audience-relevant messaging

Strong understanding of reputation management, thought leadership, and external visibility strategies

Experience working across multiple markets or countries, ideally within Africa or emerging markets contexts

Ability to build trust and influence across senior leadership, country teams, donors, partners, and external stakeholders

Strong creative instincts paired with disciplined execution and attention to quality

Comfortable operating in fast-moving, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven environments

Media relations experience, including journalist engagement, spokesperson preparation, press materials, and reactive messaging.

Understanding of ethical storytelling, informed consent, safeguarding, and responsible representation of clients or communities.

Ability to define communications KPIs and use performance insights to improve strategy and execution.

Experience managing P&L’s/communications budgets, vendors, consultants, agencies, or cross-market teams.

COMPETENCIES

We are looking for someone who;

Thinks and Plans Strategically - Identifies opportunities using future-focused thinking (5+ years ahead); creates a strategic path to operationalize work plans

Coaches - Facilitates skill development by asking the right questions and providing motivational feedback; enables others and builds their confidence and self-esteem to solve problems independently.

Manages Complexity - Making sense of information to effectively solve problems

Leadership - Operates with commitment to values and culture, while supporting the growth and development of others. 

Benefits

WHAT YOU’LL GET

This role is inside a high-growth, mission-driven social enterprise. By joining, you’ll access:

Meaningful work that directly contributes to sustainable livelihoods and job creation across East and Central Africa.

Competitive salary, and potential Performance-based bonus

Incredible company culture, with opportunities for learning and growth

Diverse colleagues across the region, and policies that demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion 

A dynamic and entrepreneurial team environment committed to innovation and social impact

Health insurance for self and family

Staff savings and provident fund, negotiated bank rates for long-term employees

Generous annual leave, parental leave, and sabbatical options.