Head of Communications

Role Overview

The Head of Communications will lead and manage Natural State's communication strategy, primarily serving to enable and amplify our fundraising and partnership development efforts. This strategic role ensures our compelling story of scientific rigor and on-the-ground impact reaches key audiences, ultimately driving resource mobilization and growing our network of supporters. The ideal candidate will possess a blend of leadership, communication expertise, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of climate, nature restoration, and scientific topics. This role will manage a dedicated communications team within the Fundraising, Communications and Partnerships (FCP) department.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Own the development and lead the execution of Natural State's comprehensive global communications strategy, ensuring full alignment with the organization's mission and strategic priorities in climate action and nature restoration.
• Identify and prioritize communications pipelines that directly support fundraising and partnership objectives.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership and the Director of FCP on brand positioning, public relations, and stakeholder engagement.

Brand Management & Reputation Stewardship

• Guard and elevate Natural State's brand identity and reputation across all platforms and geographies.
• Develop and enforce brand guidelines, ensuring consistent messaging and visual identity.
• Proactively identify opportunities to enhance visibility and thought leadership as a global authority in nature restoration.

Content Strategy & Oversight

• Lead the development of a compelling content strategy that translates complex scientific and programmatic work into accessible, impactful narratives for diverse audiences (donors, partners, scientific community, etc.).
• Oversee the creation of high-quality content across all mediums, including press releases, articles, reports, website copy, social media, and multimedia assets.

Media & Influencer Relations

• Build and maintain high-level relationships with key media outlets, journalists, and influencers in environmental science and conservation sectors globally and across Africa.
• Act as a primary media spokesperson and prepare senior leadership for media engagements.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and empower the communications team (2-3 direct reports and external consultants), fostering a culture of excellence.
• Provide guidance and training on communication best practices to internal stakeholders across the organization.

Performance Measurement & Crisis Management

• Establish robust metrics and lead the evaluation of all communications initiatives against strategic objectives.
• Develop and lead the execution of crisis communication plans to effectively manage sensitive issues impacting reputation.

Budget Management

• Manage the communications budget, ensuring efficient and responsible allocation of resources to maximize impact.

Qualifications & Experience

Must-Have Requirements:

• Minimum 10 years of progressive communications experience, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership or senior management role.
• Experience specifically within an international non-profit, conservation, or climate-focused organization.
• Demonstrated experience managing a communications team (direct reports).
• Proven ability to develop a communications strategy explicitly designed to enable fundraising and partnership development.
• High proficiency in Canva (essential for day-to-day design tasks).
• Willing and able to travel locally 30–40% of the time (including to remote sites near Lewa Wildlife Conservancy).
• Based in Nairobi, Kenya (onsite/hybrid).
• Academic background: BA/BSc/HND or MBA/MSc/MA.

Strongly Preferred Attributes:

• Master's degree in communications, environmental science, public relations, or marketing.
• Specific experience in nature restoration, conservation, or climate finance.
• Advanced design proficiency in InDesign, Adobe Creative Suite (Lightroom, Acrobat).
• Established media network of 8–12+ journalists in African and global environmental sectors.
• Demonstrated experience using communications to directly support donor acquisition or resource mobilization.
• Crisis communications experience focused on protecting donor trust.