Salomon Katula

As the Communications Manager for Catholic Relief Services in the DRC, I am responsible for designing and implementing both internal and external communication strategies to amplify the impact of CRS programs and ensure alignment with the organization’s brand and values. My core responsibilities include: - Managing all external communication channels, including social media platforms, the CRS website, newsletters, and media relations. - Creating, writing, and overseeing the production of compelling marketing and communication materials such as stories, photos, videos, brochures, and project fact sheets tailored to various audiences, donors (public and private), government stakeholders, religious leaders, media outlets, and local communities. - Coordinating and supervising freelance content creators (e.g., photographers, videographers, writers) to produce high-quality materials as needed. - Leading the planning and execution of media campaigns and content dissemination in line with our communications strategy and editorial calendar. - Managing and growing CRS DRC's presence on key social media platforms, ensuring strategic messaging and timely engagement with audiences. - Developing and maintaining partnerships with local and national media and providing media training and coaching to CRS staff for public speaking and interviews. - Capturing and documenting success stories, innovations, and testimonies from the field to showcase program impact, while ensuring adherence to branding, credit, and ethical standards in photo and video use.

As the Senior Program Officer – Marketing & Communication for the USAID/BHA-funded RFSA project, my key responsibilities included: - Leading the development and implementation of the project’s marketing and communication strategy to effectively promote program objectives, results, and community impact in alignment with USAID branding and marking guidelines. - Designing and producing high-quality communication and visibility materials (stories, videos, photography, factsheets, briefs, newsletters) tailored to diverse audiences, including USAID, local stakeholders, implementing partners, government entities, and beneficiary communities. - Collaborating closely with consortium partners to harmonize communication approaches, ensure consistency in messaging, and consolidate visibility efforts across the multi-year, multi-sectoral program. - Managing the production and dissemination of communication content via multiple platforms (social media, internal newsletters, field reports, community radio, etc.), ensuring accessibility and relevance for target audiences. - Training and coaching field teams and community mobilizers on communication standards, storytelling, photography, and documentation, to build local capacity and ensure accurate field-level information flow. - Coordinating media engagement, including developing press kits, organizing field visits for journalists, and maintaining relationships with local and national media outlets. - Monitoring communication activities and reporting on reach, engagement, and effectiveness through established KPIs and learning tools.

As Communication Specialist for the USAID/BHA-funded project at ADRA, I was responsible for: - Designing and implementing integrated communication, advocacy, and public relations strategies to enhance program visibility and raise public awareness of project outcomes and organizational impact. - Creating a wide range of multimedia content and branded marketing materials—including videos, posters, brochures, pamphlets, newsletters, magazines, and online content—in line with donor requirements and organizational standards. - Supporting website development and ensuring regular content updates to reflect project milestones, stories, and news. - Providing technical support and capacity-building to local NGO partners on communication tools, visibility requirements, storytelling, and digital content development at the community level. - Coordinating outreach and media engagement efforts with local and national media outlets, civil society organizations, and institutional partners to broaden the reach of program messages. - Collecting and developing compelling success stories and case studies from the field to showcase program impact and beneficiary transformation. - Ensuring compliance with USAID branding and marking guidelines across all project communication products and platforms.

As Information Technology Specialist at Global Ventures Holdings, I was responsible for: - Leading and managing major IT projects, including the design, implementation, and deployment of new IT systems and services to support operational efficiency across the organization. - Monitoring, evaluating, and maintaining the performance and security of the company’s IT infrastructure, while providing recommendations for upgrades and improvements. - Contributing to the development of the company's IT infrastructure strategy, architecture, and policies to align with business objectives and industry best practices. - Providing technical support to various departments, with a focus on assisting the communications team in the graphic design, layout, and production of marketing and promotional materials. - Ensuring systems uptime, overseeing network configuration, troubleshooting technical issues, and supporting end-users across different company departments.

As Video Production Specialist and Graphic Designer at Selaam Media Network, I was responsible for: - Designing visual content for both print and digital media, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and communication objectives for diverse audiences. - Creating high-impact visuals for internal communications, including materials for the Board of Directors and essential business tools such as business cards, reports, and presentations. - Developing infographics, data visualizations, and presentation designs that effectively simplify and communicate complex concepts and data. - Producing, editing, and optimizing short-form video content for social media, promotional events, and business highlights, tailored to audience engagement trends. - Supporting communication campaigns through creative design and video production, contributing to the development and execution of strategic communication plans. - Managing content workflows, including organization and archiving of graphic and video files, while meeting tight deadlines and adapting to changing priorities. - Providing technical assistance and design expertise to support cross-functional teams and digital content initiatives.

Project Leadership & Agile Expertise: Skilled in managing complex projects using best practices in scheduling, stakeholder engagement, risk mitigation, and agile methodologies. Process Optimization: Proficient in Six Sigma (Green & Black Belt) techniques to drive operational excellence and enhance efficiency. Change Management: Capable of designing and implementing strategies that foster adaptability and successfully lead organizations through change. Strategic Risk & Financial Planning: Adept at identifying and mitigating risks while supporting decision-making through cost control and profitability analysis. Cybersecurity & Compliance: Knowledgeable in data protection strategies and regulatory compliance, including GDPR, with hands-on experience in cybersecurity policy development. Tech-Driven Leadership: Experienced in leading cross-functional teams and integrating project management, quality assurance, and cybersecurity into business operations.