The reputation of KCAA is vital to the Authority in realizing its mandate. In an age where information flows instantaneously and globally, it is critical that our communication with both internal and external audiences is managed in a coordinated and systematic way. It is important that KCAA ensures that its messages are not only accurate, consistent and timely but also aligned with the objectives of the Authority.
Principles
The following are key communication principles, which guide KCAA when dealing with all stakeholders:
- We commit to communicating with honesty, transparency and integrity at all times
- All communication will inform and empower stakeholders to actively participate in industry matters
- Everyone engaged in KCAA is indirectly a communicator and must therefore assume the role of an emissary and positively represent KCAA. This is pertinent in everyone’s behaviour including verbal and non-verbal interaction with the public
- All communication with stakeholders must be done in a professional and respectful manner and decorum
Objectives
CCD’s Communication objectives will be to: -
- Protect, preserve, defend and enhance the reputation of the Authority
- Justify, support and articulate the Authority’s corporate ideology and policy
- Provide actual, logistic, advisory, and information support to the Authority’s consumers with the aim of enhancing social justice
- Counsel management objectively on any issue dealing with its employees, the Government, consumers and the general public in which its actions, management practices and advocacy can lead to public retribution and consternation, with a view to securing the right approach
- Defending the rights of the general public on their self-determination on environmental, economic and social issues
Link with the Stakeholders
Corporate communication represents a vital public service that involves both providing information and listening to the public. To develop policies, programmes and services that meet the needs of a diverse public, the Authority must understand the environment within which it operates and respond to the concerns of the public in relevant and useful ways.
Communication entails more than simply providing or receiving information. The manner in which information is exchanged is also important. The quality and timeliness of the transaction has an impact on the value of the information and the credibility of its source.
Internal Publics
Communication within KCAA is a shared responsibility involving employees at all levels. Co-operation and co-ordination between divisions is necessary to better serve and inform the public. It ensures that KCAA’s communication themes and priorities are clearly and consistently reflected in all information communicated to stakeholders.
The Communication Function
At KCAA, Corporate Communications will:
- Provide communication support and advice to the Board of Directors, Director General, Directors and Managers, including the preparation of speeches, news releases, briefing notes, presentations, memoranda and correspondence
- Provide leadership, support and advice to ensure that the communication function is integrated in all phases of policy and programme planning, development, implementation, marketing and management
- Apply the principles and practices of good management to the co-ordination and implementation of communication programmes and activities;
- Prepare and implement communication plans and strategies in support of policies, programmes and services
- Provide effective resource and expenditure management
- Ensure the inclusion of communication plans, and the identification of dedicated resources, in project proposals
- Collaborate with other Government agencies to promote common communication objectives
- Provide advice and support in the establishment and management of collaborative arrangements and sponsorships
- Integrate corporate communication planning with annual business planning and budgeting cycles
- Ensure coherence and consistency of communications across all channels - telephone, in-person, mail, publications, website, social media platforms and so forth
- Advice on and assist in the development of internal communication strategies and activities that recognise and support the role all employees have in communicating with the public
- Support an open, co-operative and consultative culture throughout the workplace, which includes being open to the views and concerns of employee unions, representatives and associations regarding workplace issues
- Advice on information management to ensure effective use of information technologies and electronic communication, and
- Advice on and assist in risk & crisis communication.
Media Relations
Journalists and other media representatives play an important role in providing the public with news and information and reporting on the public's views and opinions on an issue.
The Authority will endeavour to cultivate positive relations with media personalities and houses to promote public awareness and understanding of its policies, programmes and services.