Susan Umazi Otieno
Chandler,USA
Summary
Experienced communications professional with a strong background in technical writing, journalism, and communications in development, agricultural science, and research fields. Skilled in conveying complex information to diverse audiences through clear and concise writing. Proven ability to research, analyze, and synthesize data to produce high-quality content.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Communications Specialist
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT - CGIAR)
01.2022 - 08.2023
- Collaborated with scientists in identifying and amplifying the visibility of their research outputs and activities on gender in agriculture, genetic gains such as in climate resilient crops through storytelling via web stories, photography and newsletters and quality audio-visual products for the Global Maize Program, Market Intelligence Team, CGIAR's Plant Health Initiative among others
- Initiated strategic media engagement such as landing a timely TV interview on national Kenyan TV for CIMMYT Global Maize Program Director on discussion on the lift of ban on Genetically Modified Crops in Kenya, which was a key aspect of a CIMMYT led Project implemented in 13 countries with funding from the Gates Foundation
- Collaborated with colleagues from CGIAR Centers to develop strategic content for global campaigns and host in-person and virtual events for key global moments and initiatives such as the Plant Health Initiative Nairobi Launch in 2022
- Worked with vendors and colleagues from different CGIAR centers to develop branded products for the then newly formed Plant Health Initiative such as fact sheets, annual reports and leadership video messages
- Ensured publications and visibility items adhere to institution branding guidelines
Communications, Advocacy & Engagement Officer
Joining Forces Alliance Kenya Secretariat (hosted at World Vision in Kenya)
10.2020 - 12.2021
- Company Overview: The Joining Forces Alliance is a global collaboration of six child focused agencies - ChildFund Alliance, Plan International, Save the Children International, SOS Children's Villages International, Terre des Hommes International Federation and World Vision International.
- As the Kenya Secretariat founding team member, I established the Secretariat's Communications and Advocacy strategic work including leading the development of an annual communications and visibility plan, website, Twitter and YouTube account, and branded resources
- Coordinated the messaging and production with the Alliances six Communications Teams to produce a leadership talking head advocacy video on Child Protection
- Established the Alliance's media database and ensured sustained and strategic engagement with the media including supporting work with parliamentary reporters to lobby for the enactment of the Children Bill - which was finally passed in 2022 as the Children Act 2022
- Led the development of a Child Friendly Media Strategy Framework and began the process of stakeholder review and validation and supported the development of a Child Care and Protection Curriculum for the media in Kenya in collaboration with the Media Council of Kenya
- Developed concepts for Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials and oversaw consultants and development of the materials in video and print format, scripts for radio informercials and educative animated video concepts for the refugee community in Kakuma, Kenya.
- Supported the implementation of the Alliance's Child Participation Plan through documentation of children voices leading to linkages of children voices to policy dialogue platforms
- The Joining Forces Alliance is a global collaboration of six child focused agencies - ChildFund Alliance, Plan International, Save the Children International, SOS Children's Villages International, Terre des Hommes International Federation and World Vision International.
Communications Officer
World Vision Kenya
09.2016 - 09.2020
- Produced website stories, print and video content, photos, factsheets, annual reports, brochures, press release and leadership Op-eds
- Worked with sector leads to ghostwrite technical opinion articles and speeches; including one on Female Genital Mutilation, which gained traction in major outlets like Daily Nation in Kenya and Newsweek UK, enhancing advocacy efforts.
- Developed social media packs and messages for key global moments and UN Global days. Notably, crafted a high-profile speech for World Vision Kenya National Director for the 2019 World Water Day National celebrations which was referenced severally by leaders during the event
- Enhanced leadership visibility by drafting and editing the National Director's newsletter, ensuring timely communication to staff monthly.
- Identified and flagged reputation threats primarily those on media spaces and internal communications, and worked with Technical Program Leaders to craft reactive statements, Q&As to guide messaging and seek sign-off from the Leadership Team to consistently position World Vision as a humanitarian and development leader globally and in Kenya
- Trained and built the capacity of internal teams on technical storytelling, photography, media engagement and donor brand guidelines
- Coordinated mapping of social media influencers and led their engagement for the first time for World Vision Kenya, raising the profile of the It Takes a World to End Violence against Children Campaign, through social media engagement and reported a 163% increase on online sign-ups during the campaign
- Pitched to the media and coordinated journalists' content gathering field visits to position World Vision as a responsive and effective advocate for children
- Developed and followed through implementation of communication and visibility plans for projects, technical programs, including identifying story concepts for donor and VIP field visits
Information Officer
Kenya News Agency - Ministry of Information and Communication
05.2011 - 08.2016
- Company Overview: The Kenya News Agency (KNA) is a unit in the Department of Information in the Government of Kenya. KNA disseminates electronic news reports and information products through a subscription service to local and international broadcasters and publishers.
- Authored news and feature stories which were published on the County Weekly, People Newspaper, the defunct Kenya Today and the KNA website
- Supervised and assigned work to not less than five interns quarterly. This involved proactively identifying news stories, allocating field assignments, and editing their news and feature stories.
- Oversaw the availability and set up of public address system for national public holiday celebrations at the sub-county level Organized press briefings and circulated media briefs for government departments at county level
- The Kenya News Agency (KNA) is a unit in the Department of Information in the Government of Kenya. KNA disseminates electronic news reports and information products through a subscription service to local and international broadcasters and publishers.
Production Assistant and Video Editor
Visual Works Ltd
02.2010 - 02.2011
- Conceptualized and edited a documentary for Kenya Revenue Authority, I'm a Great Child WorldWide USA among others Followed up guest invites and signing of release forms for Oral History recordings for Kenya National Dialogue Reconciliation Council under African Union Panel of Eminent Persons
- Digitized tapes and filed them for safe keeping for a major client
- Assisted in the direction of a live recording at Nairobi Pentecostal Church, Valley Road Conducted pre-production research for content availability on technology for a pilot TV show
- Assisted in preparation of tendering documents and bidding process; wrote quotations in consultation with production manager, ensured delivery of LPOs and followed up on payments with clients
Intern - Communications Programme
Transparency International-Kenya
06.2006 - 08.2006
- Compiled data from research for Transparency International bi-weekly newsletter 'Adili' and made reports Monitored daily press for corruption related articles, organized and filed daily press clippings thematically
- Assisted users to obtain information at Transparency International resource center
- Provided reprographic services including printing and disseminating copies of the fortnightly newsletter
Education
Post Graduate Diploma - Mass Communication
Kenya Institute of Mass Communication
06.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Communication, double major in Electronic Media & Public Relations
Daystar University
06.2010
Intervarsity Exchange Program - Korean language, Advertising and Public Relations
Kosin University
06.2009
Skills
- Editing
- Content creation
- Article writing
- Team collaboration
- Media engagement
Timeline
Communications Specialist
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT - CGIAR)
01.2022 - 08.2023
Communications, Advocacy & Engagement Officer
Joining Forces Alliance Kenya Secretariat (hosted at World Vision in Kenya)
10.2020 - 12.2021
Communications Officer
World Vision Kenya
09.2016 - 09.2020
Information Officer
Kenya News Agency - Ministry of Information and Communication
05.2011 - 08.2016
Production Assistant and Video Editor
Visual Works Ltd
02.2010 - 02.2011
Intern - Communications Programme
Transparency International-Kenya
06.2006 - 08.2006
Intervarsity Exchange Program - Korean language, Advertising and Public Relations
Kosin University
Post Graduate Diploma - Mass Communication
Kenya Institute of Mass Communication
Bachelor of Arts - Communication, double major in Electronic Media & Public Relations
Daystar University
Similar Profiles
Subhajit PatraSubhajit Patra
Monitoring & Evaluation Analyst at International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)Monitoring & Evaluation Analyst at International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)
Mary NanageMary Nanage
Research Assistant at International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center ( CIMMYT)Research Assistant at International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center ( CIMMYT)
MITSI GLADYS THABANI TUTISANIMITSI GLADYS THABANI TUTISANI
Executive Assistant to the System Board Chair at CGIARExecutive Assistant to the System Board Chair at CGIAR
LE LAN THAO TRANLE LAN THAO TRAN
Teacher's Assistant at YOLA English CenterTeacher's Assistant at YOLA English Center
Michael OlveraMichael Olvera
Shift Lead at Wildflower BreadShift Lead at Wildflower Bread