Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

Do you have what it takes to communicate to offer strategic communication planning for social change, participatory communication, and research ? Apply now for Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

Company: Plan International

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity.

Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge. In Zimbabwe, we have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 31 years. Plan International operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity.

Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

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Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

Location: Harare Country Office  

Job Description

Reporting to the Head of Programs, the Communications Specialist is responsible for the design, formulation, management, execution, monitoring and evaluation of a development communications for social mobilization strategy, plan of action and program activities in support of the country strategy.  This will be in alignment with Plan International’s visibility, influencing and resource mobilization goals, to position Plan International Zimbabwe in the country and region as the leading organization for children’s, especially girls’ rights, and to connect and interact with key audiences (both internal and external) to gain support for the mission of Plan International in the country.

Accountabilities ; Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

1. Program communication strategy, plan and implementation for social mobilization

• In collaboration with program technical advisors, the Communication Specialist designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of a communication strategy and plans of action aiming at project beneficiaries, donors, government and the general public to achieve a) behavior development/change at individual/household levels; (b) social mobilization of civil society organizations; and (c) increased community participation in development Programs for positive social change.

Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

• Support the development of sound country level strategies and plans which efficiently profile the importance of Plan’s Program, gender transformation and influencing priorities
• Ensure coordination of advocacy messages and activities between the field offices, Country Office and the regional and international levels.
• Makes viable recommendations on operational strategies in the areas of participatory communication, social mobilization and on appropriate materials and media to reach target audiences.

Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

• Support the M&E team in ensuring Knowledge Management and Documentation
• Advise on the development of a risk management matrix for children in contact with the media so as to ensure Safeguarding of Children and Young People

2. Media Management

• Manage media engagement strategy, including proactive and reactive, in line with the global strategy.
• Support media work on major humanitarian  emergencies  to manage  media  enquiries  and  link  with  relevant  spokespersons as appropriate
• Build and maintain strong linkages with media at national, regional and international levels, develop partnerships with media  outlets  and  bloggers

Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

• Maintain and develop a network of press and media contacts through active engagement with editors and journalists particularly in press related to children’s and girls’ rights. 
• Manage  risk  and  brand  reputation  to  ensure  that  media  work  benefits  rather  than  harms  Plan International’s strategic objectives  and  does  not  endanger  staff,  Programs,  partners  and  the  communities  we  work  with

• Monitor and evaluate the impact of media projects at country level 

3. Content Development

• Gather internal knowledge and transform it into exciting and useful messages, and disseminate it to the right audiences through identification of the most effective distribution channels
• Lead the production of  high  quality  materials  including  information packs, opinion pieces, power point presentations, press  releases,  speeches and talking points, opinion  pieces,  news  reactions,  photos,  blogs, annual reports, newsletters, video  and multimedia content

Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

• Provide opportunities for children to participate in media related programs to promote the rights of children
• Support Program Areas in ensuring adherence to communication policies, protocols, standards and brand compliance
• Implement guidelines and standards for producing communications content and ensure its being followed
• Ensure material is properly signed off

4. Capacity Building

• Provide  technical  support  and  mentoring  as  well  as  on the job  training to a network of communications staff  in the country
• Provide  support to  spokespeople on  a  range of  humanitarian,  development  and  campaigning  issues while training more spokespeople in the country office
• Build capacities of country teams on capacity gaps related to media and communications

5. Internal and External Communications

• Support stakeholder identification and mapping to feed into a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy
• Oversee internal and external communications, ensuring messaging is consistent and engaging
• Work  with  country  team,  Program  staff  and  partners  to  ensure  production and availability of high  quality  communications products for  a  wide  range  of  audiences  including donors, partners including the private sector, policy makers and the general public, at global, regional and country level

• Manage Plan International’s internal communications for the country office, exploring  new  ways  to  get messages across using social media and online platforms
• Create and manage content for Plan International’s Zimbabwe website content and social media accounts.
• Generate content around high-priority Plan International issues and campaigns, edit and produce  content  that  increases Plan International’s staff  understanding  of  our core  vision – internal newsletters, communiques, videos, talks

Other key deliverables including: Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

• Maintaining good inter-team communications, engender good team dynamics;
• Adherence to Plan policies, including:

1. Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding of Children & Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Qualifications and Experience: Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

• Advanced university degree in the social sciences with emphasis on strategic communication planning for social change, participatory communication, and research.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate complicated and technical issues in a concise and clear way, to a wide range of target audiences
• Experience in copy editing, producing newsletters and using web content management systems

• Demonstrated experience of the key responsibilities, including working with media, delivering communications strategies, managing internal communications, knowledge of digital media, and creating networks
• A track record of achieving results and strategic impact on communications and media and in building capacity for teams to deliver
• 5 years’ experience
• Development communication experience is an added advantage

• Must show demonstrable impact in using communications as a tool for social change
• Familiarity with the social, political and economic context of the Zimbabwean region, and its humanitarian and development issues
• Sound political judgement and risk management
• Demonstrated and considerable experience of working with international media, communications or public relations roles
• Fluency in English, knowledge of more than one local language is desirable.
• Experience of working with international NGOs and understanding of a rights-based approach

Skills ; Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, including ability to find, absorb, analyze and prioritize information from many different sources, and proven experience of strategy development
• Ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines, with competing priorities and minimal supervision
• Ability to travel – sometimes at short notice and to humanitarian crisis areas
• Excellent inter-personal skills and ability to work in multi-national, multi-cultural teams

Behaviours

Performance

• Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behavior
• Contributes to a collegial team environment
• Takes responsibility and manages constructive criticism
• Takes initiative and drives high levels of performance management

Strategic thinking and delivery

• Ability to think both strategically and tactically, i.e., to help teams think through an issue, develop a strategy and plan, prioritize and implement activities, and monitor and measure outcomes
• Strong planning/anticipation skills- Plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility

Influencing

• Strong people skills
• Cross-cultural experience, understanding and sensitivity

Learning

• Promotes continuous learning; communicates clearly
• Supports learning, sharing and knowledge management

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE ; Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

We are open and accountable

1. Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
2. Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
3. Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
4. Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
5. Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people.

We strive for lasting impact

1. Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
2. Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
3. Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
4. Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

1. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
4. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

1. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.
2. We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace.
3. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and change their own lives.

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are required to submit their curriculum vitae & cover letter outlining their suitability for the position. Plan International takes very seriously the responsibility and duty to ensure that we and anyone who represents us does not in any way harm or place at risk children and young people. In this regard, reference & background checks will be performed including clearances on child related offences in conformity with Plan’s Safeguarding Policy.   

This position is open to Zimbabwean nationals

Location: Zimbabwe (Harare)

Type of role: Fixed Term Contract

Closing Date: 15 May 2023

Please note that Plan International does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe

Apply Now ; Communications Specialist Job at Plan International Zimbabwe