| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | NGO and Social Sector |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Executive Director |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 2 to 5 years in communications or content |
Communications Officer (NGO) job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Communications Officer (NGO)
Department: NGO and Social Sector
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Communications Officer tells an NGO's story to donors, partners and the public. They write reports, newsletters, case studies and social media, manage the website, and produce photographs and videos from the field. The role reports to the Executive Director or Programme Director. A good communications officer turns field work into clear, honest content that raises the organisation's profile, supports fundraising, and keeps donors and the public informed with the right consent and quality.
Key responsibilities
- Write newsletters, case studies, annual report content and donor updates from programme information.
- Manage the organisation's social media calendar and post content that fits each platform.
- Update the website with news, programme pages and campaign content.
- Capture and edit photographs and short videos from the field with proper consent.
- Support fundraising with campaign content, appeals and donor facing materials.
- Keep the organisation's messaging, logo and brand consistent across all materials.
- Draft press releases and handle basic media queries with leadership approval.
- Maintain a library of stories, images and consent forms from the field.
- Measure reach and engagement of content and improve what works.
- Ensure content protects the dignity and privacy of the communities shown.
Requirements
- Graduate or postgraduate in mass communication, journalism or English
- Portfolio of writing or content is an advantage
- Basic design and video skills
- 2 to 5 years in communications or content
KRAs and KPIs for a Communications Officer (NGO)
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Content output | Newsletters, case studies and reports delivered to the content calendar each quarter |
| Digital reach | Social media reach and engagement growing against the quarterly target |
| Fundraising support | Campaign content delivered on time for every appeal |
| Brand consistency | All materials follow the brand and messaging guidelines |
| Consent and dignity | Every published story and image has valid consent on file |
| Website | Website kept current with no broken or outdated key pages |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Canva or Adobe tools, Social media schedulers, WordPress or a CMS, MS Word, Camera or smartphone.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Communications Manager, Fundraising Manager, Brand Manager
Interview questions for a Communications Officer (NGO)
- How do you turn a field visit into a case study that donors will read?
- How do you plan a month of social media content for an NGO?
- How do you get and record consent before sharing a beneficiary's story?
- How do you keep content honest while still making the work look compelling?
- How do you measure whether your content is working?
- Tell me about a campaign or story you produced and its result.
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What does a communications officer in an NGO do?
A communications officer tells an NGO's story to donors, partners and the public. They write newsletters, case studies and reports, manage social media and the website, and produce photographs and videos from the field with consent. They support fundraising with campaign content and keep the organisation's messaging clear, honest and consistent.
What skills does an NGO communications officer need?
An NGO communications officer needs strong content writing and storytelling, social media management, basic photography and video, and website updating. They should handle design tools, measure content reach, and keep to brand guidelines. Above all they need judgement to protect the dignity and privacy of the communities they show and to keep stories honest.
What qualifications do you need to be an NGO communications officer?
Most NGO communications officers hold a graduate or postgraduate degree in mass communication, journalism or English. A portfolio of writing or content, and basic design and video skills, help a lot. Employers look for the ability to turn field work into clear, honest content that supports fundraising and raises the organisation's profile.