Job Advertisement (2 posts)
Soma (E&D Readership and Development Agency) is an autonomous not for profit organisation whose vision is to see Tanzania transformed into “an informed society that values knowledge and literature, creativity and independent thinking.”
Started in mid 2008, Soma contributes to the creation, promotion and sustenance of a reading culture by actively participating in the development of readership activities and actively networking with like-minded organisations.
Soma maintains a Book Café with facilities for leisurely reading and reflection. It contains a well stocked bookshop with locally published trade books: fiction and non-fiction, children books as well as educational books. The bookshop which also offers internet services is complemented by a Café with tasty bites and drinks in a pleasant garden.
Within the Book Café’s premises, Soma regularly holds and hosts, youth and children readership forums as well as other literary and cultural events, including theatre and a quarterly literary fair. Soma also publishes a quarterly literary magazine named Soma and maintains a vibrant and interactive website.
Despite its initial success, Soma is still in the start-up phase. To consolidate gains made so far it desires to engage two qualified and motivated staff to fill in the following vacancies:
- Job Title: Program Officer—Marketing and Communication
Scope of work
Manage the editing, production, promotion and distribution of Soma Magazine and other Soma publications;
Set up a user-friendly interactive Soma Website, including contents management with possibility for dialogues, online search etc. of which you will moderate
Develop and implement realistic plan for promotion and marketing of Soma products, services and events
Edit articles and produce PR-products as per promotion, marketing and media plan.
Develop and maintain a database on resource persons and partner organizations and establish a system to facilitate exchange of information and strategic networks with them.
Take part in developing and implementing relevant monitoring and appraisal mechanisms; including performance target setting, self and peer review/appraisal, monitoring and appraising changes in the market and advising on best approaches to enhance readership and increase sales..
Analyze Soma’s environment in regards to key events, trends, and opportunities and advise Soma’s management accordingly.
Required Qualifications
University degree in mass communication and media
Good communication skills in oral and written Kiswahili and English and excellent command of ICTs
Prior work experience in Creative Communications, Public Relations and/or Marketing
Strategic and systematic thinker with an open mind, creative, flexible and persuasive personality
Able to work long hours, self disciplined, self motivated, takes initiative, accomplishes tasks and produces tangible results, records lessons and learns from them,
Understanding of business trends in the art and cultural industry and its contribution to social/political/economic developments
Incorrigible readers, continuous learner and supportive to peoples’ quest for knowledge
- Job Title: Assistant Program Officer—Readership
Scope of work
· Ensure scheduled and responsive readership forums of interest to various Soma publics are planned, scheduled, convened ensuring proper mobilization of participants, quality facilitation, recording and sharing of proceedings;
· Maintain a clean, orderly and aesthetically pleasing bookshop floor arrangement, décor; easy access shelving and inviting display.
· Assist in maintaining a dynamic database of customers, readers and friends of the book/booklovers/readership forum participants and resource people/suppliers and commissioned agents and ensure that they are regularly informed of new book releases, forthcoming readership events; and other information of mutual interest and/or benefit.
· Assist in developing, producing and updating effective sales and marketing strategies, plans and tools including a bookshop catalogue/consolidated price list and customized price lists and disseminate widely through Soma website, e-contacts, customers’ database/mailing list, and other channels;
Assist in developing and implementing relevant monitoring and appraisal mechanisms; including performance target setting, self and peer review/appraisal, monitoring and appraising changes in the market and advising on best approaches to enhance readership and increase sales.
Analyze Soma’s environment in regards to key events, trends, and opportunities and advise Soma’s management accordingly.
Required Qualifications
University degree in humanities with a bias in literary and/or creative communication (prior work experience in art management and event organising is an added advantage);
Incorrigible reader and passionate about and able to impart reading skills to others
Good communication skills in oral and written Kiswahili and English and can use of computers in everyday work
Able to work long hours, self disciplined, self motivated, takes initiative, accomplishes tasks and produces tangible results, records lessons and learns from them,
Good customer relations, salespersonship and shop floor management at bookshop counter, exhibitions and canvassing
Understanding of business trends in the art and cultural industry and its contribution to social/political/economic developments
Remuneration and benefits:
Negotiable depending on experience and qualifications
How to apply:
If you believe you are the right candidate for any of the above positions, kindly submit your application with a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV), photocopies of academic certificates and testimonials, names of three referees with their valid contacts by post, e-mail of hand delivered, to be received on or before 7th December, 2009.
Applications should be addressed to:
Executive Director
E & D readership and development Agency – Soma
P. O. Box 4460
Dar es Salaam
