LYDIA WANDIA GICHUKI

Experienced Communication and Fundraising Expert with 5+ years in corporate communications, public relations, grant writing, and media outreach. Proven success in developing and executing communication strategies, securing funds through grants and partnerships, and fostering strong relationships with donors and partners. Exceptional writing, presentation, and strategic planning skills to drive organizational success and enhance brand recognition.

• Identified and secured grant opportunities by proactively researching and evaluating potential grant opportunities, successfully positioning the organization for increased funding.
• Submitted timely and compliant Reports Ensuring all grant reports met contract requirements and were submitted accurately and on time.
• Maintained a strategic grant database by developing and managing a comprehensive database to track grant opportunities, deadlines, and submissions, improving efficiency in grant management.
• Developed strategic partnerships by Identifying key partnership opportunities and created persuasive pitch decks that helped secure collaborations and funding.
• Wrote Winning Grant Proposals: Crafted and submitted high-quality, mission-aligned grant proposals, resulting in successful funding acquisition.
• Collaborated across Teams working closely with program staff to collect and organize essential information and documentation for grant applications.
• Ensured Compliance and Regulation Adherence: Monitored compliance with grant requirements, ensuring all activities and reporting were aligned with donor guidelines and regulations.
• Delivered Impactful Progress Reports: Prepared detailed reports for funders, outlining project progress, key outcomes, and financial performance to maintain transparency and trust.
• Managed Grant Budgets: Collaborated with the finance team to develop and oversee grant budgets, ensuring efficient use of funds and alignment with approved allocations.
• Monitored and Controlled Expenditures: Regularly tracked expenditures, ensuring compliance with donor-approved budgets and preventing overspending.
• Organized Grant Documentation: Maintained meticulous records of all grant-related documentation, communications, and reporting, ensuring easy access and auditing readiness.
• Streamlined Grant Management Processes: Implemented effective systems for tracking grant applications, awards, and deadlines, enhancing overall efficiency and accountability.
• Developed and implemented internal and external communication strategies, ensuring unified and positive messaging to promote corporate identity and mission.
• Acted as a liaison between internal teams and external partners, ensuring smooth information flow and effective problem resolution.
• Successfully secured funding through grant writing and partnerships, contributing to organizational growth and sustainability.
• Cultivated and maintained strong relationships with partners and donors, enhancing collaborative efforts and support.
• Researched potential sponsors and donors, wrote grant applications and fundraising proposals, and pitched ideas for various partnerships.
• Provided communication counsel to the CEO and wrote statements, proposals, and calls to action for fundraising and business development.
• Developed content for the website, newsletters, and communication materials, and created branding materials for events.
• Coordinated marketing activities, including social media management and live tweeting, to promote key events and organizational milestones.
• Represented the company in various settings, promoting the organization positively and professionally.
• Supported departmental heads in delivering their duties and wrote comprehensive reports, including the company impact report.
• Coordinated marketing activities, prepared and distributed direct marketing products, and delivered presentations to share information.
• Commissioned partnership agreements, developed departmental work plans and budgets, and provided expertise in communication material design
• Planned and Fundraised for Key Events: Successfully organized and fundraised for the organization's summit, ensuring seamless execution and positive outcomes.
• Enhanced Media Engagement: Drafted press releases, media invites, and statements that boosted media coverage and strengthened public visibility
• Established Credibility Through Fact-Checking: Collaborated with Code for Africa to write fact-checked articles, positioning the organization as a reliable source of information.
• Maintained Stakeholder Communication: Designed and distributed weekly newsletters via MailChimp, fostering consistent engagement with stakeholders and enhancing outreach.
• Ensured Quality Content: Edited and proofread organizational materials, upholding high standards of accuracy and professionalism.
• Coordinated Training and Educational Events: Organized and managed training events for children, promoting education and skills development.
• Produced High-Impact Reports: Developed and authored quarterly work reports and impact assessments, ensuring transparency and demonstrating progress to stakeholders.
• Increased Public Awareness: Wrote informative Op-Eds and news stories for the organization's website, driving increased public engagement and awareness of key issues.
• Delivered Accurate and Reliable News: Conducted thorough research for news articles, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and credibility in reporting.
• Expanded Social Media Reach: Engaged as a nano influencer on social media, helping to increase the organization's digital footprint and audience interaction.
• Curated Client-Focused Content: Pitched creative content ideas and curated news stories to meet client needs, enhancing content relevance and value.
• Led Comprehensive News Reporting: Attended press conferences, conducted interviews, and provided detailed reports to ensure comprehensive and timely coverage.
• Enhanced Multimedia Communication: Contributed to the development of video angles and content, improving the effectiveness of multimedia messaging.
• Promoted Literacy through Children's Stories: Authored engaging children's stories for Shajara Magazine, promoting literacy and learning among young readers.
• Supported Educational Initiatives: Prepared and organized training materials for children, contributing to their education and personal development.
• Wrote and drafted press releases, ensuring clear and effective messaging for various events and announcements.
• Pitched news ideas to various media houses, successfully securing media coverage and enhancing the organization's visibility.
• Drafted and distributed media invites, ensuring wide media attendance at events.
• Organized and managed events such as press conferences and summits, ensuring smooth execution and effective communication.
• Managed the organization's social media accounts, increasing engagement and followers through strategic content.
• Coordinated all internal and external communications, maintaining consistent and positive messaging.
• Arranged interviews for the CEO, facilitating media interactions and promoting the organization's mission.
• Wrote news articles for the organization, providing accurate and engaging content for the website and publications.
• Drafted and developed media coverage reports, analyzing media impact and reach.
• Conducted thorough research on diverse topics including agriculture, health, governance, and real estate to support content creation and media pitches.
• Organized media interviews for clients, facilitating effective media interactions and enhancing visibility.
• Monitored media coverage both online and offline, providing comprehensive media reports and analysis.
• Pitched news ideas to various media houses, successfully securing media coverage and promoting organizational initiatives.
• Drafted and distributed media invites to ensure wide media attendance at events.
• Organized and managed events such as press conferences and summits, ensuring successful execution and media coverage.
• Managed the organization's website, ensuring up-to-date and engaging content.
• Wrote news articles for Farmbiz Africa, providing accurate and informative content for the audience.
• Conducted one-on-one and phone interviews for Farmbiz stories, ensuring comprehensive and engaging reporting.
• Handled media relations on behalf of clients, maintaining positive and effective communication channels.
• Involved in the advocacy of clients' issues, promoting their interests through strategic communication.
• Provided information for the production of infographics, enhancing the visual presentation of data and information.
• Assisted with data entry tasks, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
• Wrote press statement for events held by the county government for the social media page
• News gathering from various events held by the County government
• Photography: took photographs in these events.
• Media monitoring on behalf of the county.
• Received and recorded calls and accorded the necessary information to customers.
• Video and photograph editing using premier pro and Microsoft photo editor respectively.
• Editing articles.
• Responding and managing facebook messages on the Governor's page.
• Increased positive citizens' interactions with the page by creating engaging content for netizens.
• Increased number of followers in the past two months.
• Wrote news for various events in the county government of Nyeri.
• Handled Media relations on behalf of the County government with various media houses.
• Public relations with the members of the public and the media.
• Assisted in carrying out Video editing using adobe premiere pro.
• Handled Audio editing using adobe audition and adobe photoshop.
• Carried out news gathering from various events happening in Nyeri County.
• Editing various article.
• Published work with Standard media website via their subsidiary U-report.
• Managed the following pages: Nyeri County Government Facebook page, Nyeri County Twitter account, Governor Mutahi Kahiga Facebook page.
• Grew the fan page of Advanced Citizens Bulletin from 0 to 1550 in two months.

• Carol Nderi, Communication Director, Governor's press, 0722217956, carolnderi@gmail.com
• Collins Orono, Chief Innovation Officer-Mtoto News, 0706769021, collins@mtotonews.com