Sussy Gitari
Communications and Public Relations Officer
Summary
Strategic communications and advocacy professional with extensive experience in humanitarian and development initiatives across East Africa. Expertise in multimedia storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and digital advocacy enhances visibility and accountability. Proven ability to create impactful content for diverse audiences and coordinate multi-stakeholder activities, focusing on ethical storytelling and amplifying underrepresented voices.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Communications and Public Relations Officer
Kenya Ships Agents Association
11.2023 - Current
- Coordinated stakeholder forums, media briefings, consultative meetings, and external engagement activities involving government agencies, NGOs, regional institutions, and industry stakeholders.
- Coordinated stakeholder forums, media briefings, consultative meetings, and external engagement activities to enhance collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, regional institutions, and industry stakeholders.
- Developed strategic communication materials, advocacy messaging, newsletters, reports, and public information content supporting stakeholder engagement and sector visibility initiatives.
- Supported issue-based and crisis communication initiatives by delivering timely, accurate, and stakeholder-centered messaging to effectively address emerging challenges.
- Managed digital communication platforms and social media channels, producing multimedia and visual content to improve outreach and public engagement.
- Managed digital communication platforms and social media channels, creating multimedia and visual content that increased outreach and engagement with target audiences.
- Conducted research, media monitoring, and sector analysis to support evidence-based communication strategies and organizational decision-making.
- Supported administrative and operational coordination including logistics, correspondence, records management, scheduling, and preparation of meeting documentation.
Social Behavior Change Communication Assistant
Worldreader Kenya
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Contributed to the development of audience-centered communication strategies addressing harmful attitudes, beliefs, and social norms affecting education and community wellbeing.
- Developed audience-centered communication strategies to address harmful attitudes, beliefs, and social norms impacting education and community wellbeing.
- Assisted in developing tailored SBCC messaging for early childhood care and education programs.
- Supported writing, editing, and documentation of research reports, case stories, learning materials, and program updates for internal and external audiences.
- Supported writing, editing, and documentation of research reports, case stories, learning materials, and programme updates for internal and external audiences.
- Supported monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities for communication interventions under the Raising Readers project.
- Interpreted qualitative data on community attitudes, knowledge, and behavioral change outcomes to inform strategic communication initiatives.
- Supported knowledge management and digital content organization for communication and learning platforms.
Communication Assistant
Heifer International Kenya
12.2022 - 06.2023
- Supported communication and visibility initiatives for resilience, livelihoods, food security, and economic empowerment programmes, enhancing outreach for USAID–TRANSFORM and KLMP-SIDA.
- Developed multimedia and visual communication materials including infographics, factsheets, presentations, videos, flyers, and donor visibility content.
- Produced community-centered stories, programme updates, digital campaigns, and stakeholder communication materials highlighting project impact and engagement activities.
- Supported donor engagement activities through preparation of newsletters, briefing packs, information kits, and visibility materials for external stakeholders and high-profile visits.
- Produced community-centered stories, programme updates, and digital campaigns, effectively showcasing project impact and fostering stakeholder engagement.
- Supported communication and visibility initiatives for resilience, livelihoods, food security, and economic empowerment programmes including USAID–TRANSFORM, KLMP-SIDA.
- Coordinated campaigns, media visibility activities, and public engagement initiatives, including AYuTe Africa Challenge Kenya Competition and Kenya Innovation Week, increasing public awareness and participation.
- Maintained media libraries, communication archives, and stakeholder databases supporting organizational visibility and knowledge management.
- Supported logistics coordination, scheduling, procurement processes, and operational planning for programme activities and communication events.
Customer Relations and Communication (AirDuka.com)
Pride Group
12.2021 - 11.2022
- Enhanced digital communication and public engagement initiatives to boost organizational visibility and stakeholder outreach.
- Oversaw communication materials, online engagement activities, and public messaging across digital platforms for consistent branding.
- Executed issue-based communication activities to ensure timely and audience-centered responses.
- Coordinated stakeholder and customer engagement activities to facilitate effective communication outreach initiatives.
Sales & Marketing Representative (Airduka.com)
Pride Group
02.2021 - 11.2021
- Contributed to operational success by identifying sales and marketing priorities and delivering client-focused service.
- Supported business development initiatives through lead generation, client prospecting, and identification of new market opportunities.
- Supported digital marketing and social media campaigns that enhanced brand visibility, customer engagement, and sales performance.
- Conducted market research and monitored industry trends to support strategic marketing and business growth initiatives.
- Maintained records of key account sales, client interactions, prospecting activities, and follow-up engagements to ensure informed decision-making.
Media and Production Trainee
Mediamax Network Limited
02.2019 - 04.2019
- Produced and edited audio-visual, digital, and social media content supporting audience engagement and public communication initiatives.
- Supported scriptwriting, interviewing , photography, story editing, production review and marketing , and multimedia storytelling for news and public affairs programming.
- Conducted media monitoring and audience analysis to inform content development and strategic communication planning.
- Maintained communication archives and production databases, ensuring organized access to critical information for media operations.
Correspondent Writer
Daystar University (Involvement Newspaper)
10.2017 - 06.2018
- Researched, wrote, and edited news and feature stories covering institutional and community issues while ensuring accuracy and editorial compliance.
- Produced written content centered on audience needs, ensuring alignment with institutional communication standards and editorial guidelines.
- Conducted background research and gathered information to enhance analytical and balanced reporting.
- Recommended strategies to elevate content quality and foster audience engagement.
Education
Advanced Diploma - Shipping
Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
Mombasa05-2026
Foundation Diploma - Shipping Liner Traders
Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
Mombasa01-2025
Masters - Media Studies
Daystar University
Nairobi01-2024
Bachelor of Arts - Communication (Electronic Media)
Daystar University
Nairobi01-2019
Skills
Strategic Communications
Humanitarian & Development Communication
Advocacy & Public Affairs
Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Building
Multimedia Storytelling & Digital Content Creation
Media Relations & Public Information Management
Crisis & Sensitive Communication
Social & Behavior Change Communication (SBCC)
Regional & Multi-Stakeholder Coordination
Social Media Management & Digital Engagement
Research, Reporting & Knowledge Management
Event Coordination & External Engagement
Photography & Multimedia Production
Cross-Cultural Communication
Administrative & Operational Coordination
Communication, Multimedia & Digital Tools
Canva | Adobe Creative Suite | Microsoft Office Suite | Meta Business Suite | Social Media Management | Digital Content Creation | Multimedia & Audio-Visual Production | Video Editing | Photography | Digital Analytics & Reporting | Content Management Systems (CMS) | SEO/SEM | Email Marketing
Timeline
Communications and Public Relations Officer
Kenya Ships Agents Association
11.2023 - Current
Social Behavior Change Communication Assistant
Worldreader Kenya
06.2023 - 08.2023
Communication Assistant
Heifer International Kenya
12.2022 - 06.2023
Customer Relations and Communication (AirDuka.com)
Pride Group
12.2021 - 11.2022
Sales & Marketing Representative (Airduka.com)
Pride Group
02.2021 - 11.2021
Media and Production Trainee
Mediamax Network Limited
02.2019 - 04.2019
Correspondent Writer
Daystar University (Involvement Newspaper)
10.2017 - 06.2018
Advanced Diploma - Shipping
Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
Foundation Diploma - Shipping Liner Traders
Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
Masters - Media Studies
Daystar University
Bachelor of Arts - Communication (Electronic Media)
Daystar University