Senior Communications Manager

Senior Communications Manager

Spark MicroGrants believes in a world where everyone lives with dignity and determines their own positive future. Spark has worked in 1000+ villages in 6 countries and has pioneered a community-driven development model in sub-Saharan Africa. Spark works with NGO and Government partners to scale the model's adoption and impact on rural communities - on their own terms. Our model combines facilitated community meetings with a small, discretionary grant to catalyze local action and institution building.

We're seeking a creative, strategic Senior Communications Manager to drive sharing the story of communities taking action with our partners and team. This role will lead communications efforts across multiple channels, shaping compelling narratives that make complex, rigorous work feel inspiring and expansive, and that connect Spark's community-driven model to global audiences. The ideal candidate combines strong storytelling instincts with a deep commitment to ethical, community-centered communications.

The Senior Communications Manager will work closely with Spark's leadership team to ensure communications strategies and products align with the organization's strategic direction and core values. This role will collaborate with department heads and country teams across Rwanda, Malawi, Ghana and beyond, to translate program learnings, success stories, and evidence into clear, motivating content. The Manager will independently develop and execute communications strategies, produce high-quality content that engages stakeholders and builds brand recognition, and oversee Spark's social media and website presence. The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator with exceptional writing, presentation, organizational skills, and the judgment and initiative to move ideas from concept to execution.

Responsibilities

External Communications Year One Goal: Establish a clear, cohesive, and measurable donor and advisor communications strategy that increases engagement and supports revenue growth.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive donor communications strategy for current, past, and prospective donors, with clear audience segmentation and messaging priorities across each platform.
• Design and execute multi-channel campaign strategies that directly support fundraising goals, including the creation of distinct campaign "moments" donors can rally around.
• Ensure the strategy prioritizes elevating community voices while encouraging innovation and thoughtful experimentation in how Spark communicates its work and engages donors.

Narrative and Voice Year One Goal: Develop and roll out an external engagement toolkit that clearly articulates Spark's narrative, voice, and value proposition, and equip staff and Board members to confidently and consistently communicate Spark's work and impact.

• Refresh Spark's external narrative and voice, balancing rigor, ambition, and optimism across all communications.
• Translate complex programs, research, and evidence into clear, compelling stories, case studies, and audience-specific talking points that resonate externally.
• Ensure all storytelling centers on community experiences, dignity, and leadership.
• Oversee design and brand execution across external materials to maintain a cohesive, recognizable Spark identity.
• Identify and frame bold ideas and questions that spark curiosity, learning, and engagement among donors and partners.
• Develop a practical, user-friendly narrative and brand toolkit that integrates Spark's core messages, voice, and visual identity.
• Equip and support staff and Board members to use the toolkit confidently when communicating Spark's mission, approach, and impact.

Innovation and Creativity

• Run one or more fun and highly engaging campaigns that roleplay Spark's impact work with partners.
• Curate events and online interactions with partners and global community.
• Ensure Spark's communications platforms, including website and social media, are consistently maintained.
• Leverage AI tools for new communications pilots.
• Pilot new formats, messages, and creative approaches, moving quickly from experimentation to refinement.
• Bring confidence, creativity, and originality to Spark's communications while maintaining professionalism and strategic focus.

What You Bring

• 5+ years of experience in communications and marketing in an entrepreneurial, mission-driven environment.
• Strong storytelling and copywriting skills, particularly in an advertising setting
• Experience building and doing email campaigns, social media, and brand assets differently from the norm
• A creative eye and instinct for what inspires action, not just copying what others are doing
• Comfort experimenting and learning in public
• Ability to balance speed with trust and clarity
• Passion for social impact paired with creative confidence

Job Location: Rwanda, Ghana, Malawi, Uganda. Elsewhere in East Africa will also be considered, if candidates already possess valid, legal work authorization for other requested job locations. (Note: We are also recruiting for this same role in the US, as we are open to hiring for this position in the US or Africa; only one person will be hired.)

Reporting to: Growth Director

Start Date: As soon as possible

Salary: Salary is based on geographic location and commensurate with experience

Probation period: Three months probation period with learning and performance objectives

Safeguarding

Our safeguarding follows a do no harm principle. All Spark staff are expected to respect and uphold the safeguarding procedures and principles to minimize harm to stakeholders, program participants, and the environment, in compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework and national legislation in the countries where we operate.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Spark Microgrants provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals. Employment decisions at Spark are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Spark does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by the law. Spark will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship to daily operations.