Looking beyond the job description

Hey,

Welcome to Green Jobs Rising! 

This week, we're looking at a job ad for a Marketing Officer opportunity with M-KOPA in Kenya, covering its Nairobi, Kitengela and Thika branches.

If you are in this field and you want to apply, you may want to read this to improve your chances of getting shortlisted.

One thing we often encourage job seekers to do is look beyond the job description and understand what the employer is really looking for. 

Our recruiters share insights that don't immediately stand out in the advert but these insights make a big difference when it comes to getting shortlisted.

For this role, the recruiter highlighted a few important points that applicants should pay attention to.

• This is not a role that will be spent entirely behind a desk. The successful candidate will divide their time between office-based work and field activities. 

  The role involves carrying out on-the-ground activations and engaging directly with groups such as boda boda riders, drivers and other community members. 

  Applicants should therefore be prepared for regular field work and demonstrate that they are comfortable interacting with people in different settings.

• While the advert lists Swahili as a bonus, candidates should think carefully about the realities of the role. Since field activations involve engaging directly with groups such as boda boda riders and small-scale farmers, being able to communicate effectively in Swahili is likely to be a significant advantage. 

  If you speak Swahili and have used it in previous customer engagement, marketing or community-facing roles, it may be worth highlighting this clearly in your application.

• Show measurable results. Many applicants describe themselves as creative marketers, but creativity alone is difficult for recruiters to assess. Instead, they want evidence of impact. 

  If you have worked in marketing before, look for ways to quantify your achievements. For example, did you increase leads, improve customer engagement, grow brand awareness, support successful campaigns or contribute to business growth? 

  Wherever possible, include numbers that demonstrate the results of your work. Statements such as ‘increased leads by 50%’ or ‘contributed to a campaign that reached 10,000 customers’ are often far more powerful than simply describing yourself as creative or innovative.

As you prepare your application, think about how your experience aligns with the day-to-day realities of the role. 

Show that you are comfortable working both in the office and in the field, highlight any relevant language skills and, most importantly, back up your marketing experience with evidence of results.

Good luck!

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