Head of Communications and Public Affairs

About Jumia:

Jumia is a leading pan-African e-commerce platform. Its mission is to improve the quality of everyday life in Africa by leveraging technology to deliver innovative, convenient and affordable online services to customers, while helping businesses grow as they use Jumia's platform to better reach and serve customers.

Jumia is built around a marketplace and supported by a proprietary logistics business [Jumia Logistics] and a digital payment and fintech platform [Jumia Pay]. With over 3,000 employees, Jumia is led by top talented leaders offering a great mix of local and international talents and is backed by very high-profile shareholders. Jumia is committed to creating a sustainable impact in Africa.

In April 2019, Jumia was the first Tech company in Africa to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

We are seeking an experienced Head of Communications and Public Affairs to lead our organization's communications strategy, brand reputation management, and government relations initiatives. This senior role combines traditional PR and communications with public affairs responsibilities, including stakeholder engagement, policy advocacy, and regulatory communications.

What you will be doing:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive PR and communications strategy aligned with our company's business goals, values, and target audiences.
• Lead and manage the PR and communications team, including hiring, training, mentoring, and performance management, to ensure the delivery of high-quality PR and communications services and support.
• Manage government relations and regulatory communications, including monitoring legislative and regulatory developments, developing policy positions, and advocating for company interests with relevant stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key media outlets, journalists, influencers, and industry analysts to secure positive media coverage and enhance our brand reputation and visibility.
• Create compelling PR campaigns, press releases, pitches, and other communications materials to effectively communicate our key messages, product launches, milestones, and initiatives to the media and other stakeholders.
• Proactively identify PR opportunities, trends, and emerging issues relevant to our industry and company, and develop strategies and tactics to capitalize on them and enhance our brand positioning and reputation.
• Monitor and analyze media coverage, social media conversations, and industry trends to assess our company's reputation, identify potential risks and opportunities, and develop strategies to manage and mitigate reputational risks.
• Lead crisis communications planning and response efforts, including developing crisis communications plans, protocols, and messaging, and coordinating with cross-functional teams to manage and mitigate reputational risks and protect our brand reputation.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including marketing, product, sales, and executive leadership, to align PR and communications efforts with business objectives, product launches, and marketing campaigns.
• Drive thought leadership initiatives, including securing speaking engagements, award nominations, and byline opportunities for executive leadership and subject matter experts to raise their profile and position them as industry thought leaders.
• Measure and report on the impact and effectiveness of PR and communications efforts, using metrics such as media impressions, sentiment analysis, and brand visibility, and make data-driven recommendations for optimization and improvement.

What we are looking for:

• Degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Political Science, Public Administration, or related field; Master's degree (MSC) preferred.
• 8 -10 years of experience in public relations, corporate communications, or related roles, with 5 years of experience in a leadership or managerial role.
• Strong understanding of PR and communications principles, practices, and trends, with a proven track record of developing and executing successful PR campaigns and initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives, pitches, press releases, and other communications materials that resonate with target audiences and drive positive media coverage.
• Strong media relations skills, with a network of contacts in the media and demonstrated ability to secure positive media coverage across print, broadcast, online, and social media channels.
• Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a team of PR and communications professionals to achieve their full potential and deliver outstanding results.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute PR and communications strategies that support business objectives, enhance brand reputation, and drive measurable outcomes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze data, assess risks and opportunities, and make data-driven decisions to optimize PR and communications efforts.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines in a timely and efficient manner.

We Offer:

• A unique experience in an entrepreneurial, yet structured environment
• A unique opportunity of having strong impact in building the African e-commerce sector
• The opportunity to become part of a highly professional and dynamic team
• An unparalleled personal and professional growth as our longer-term objective is to train the next generation of leaders