job Description
Principal Accountability :
The Communication Officer will play a pivotal role in amplifying CAMFED's mission and impact through effective communication strategies. This includes crafting and distributing compelling content across internal and external communication platforms, while strictly adhering to CAMFED’s child protection policies. Collaborating closely with the Policy and Advocacy Manager and colleagues in Programmes and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, the position incumbent will craft engaging content tailored to key stakeholders and diverse audiences, such as CAMFED Association members, district partners, government officials, the media, and donor organizations. Additionally, the officer will support CAMFED representatives at district and national events, ensuring consistent messaging, content quality, and brand representation. This position is vital for fostering a positive public image of CAMFED and advancing the organization's mission to empower girls and young women in Africa.
Who we are :
CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education) is an award-winning organization tackling poverty and inequality by supporting girls in Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe to go to school, thrive, and become leaders and change-makers in their communities. Our unique, grassroots-led model has been honored with the 2020 Yidan Prize for Education Development (the world’s largest education prize), the 2021 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize (the world’s largest annual humanitarian award), and was selected by The Audacious Project (housed at TED) in 2023 as one of the biggest, boldest solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges. CAMFED has achieved unprecedented results in improving education outcomes among some of the world’s most disadvantaged young people and supporting young women to create the future they imagine — for themselves, for their communities, and for Africa.
CAMFED has a reputation for being innovative, resourceful, and smart, and has attracted extensive support from a high-profile network that spans government, celebrity, and business.
Specific Accountabilities:
Communications Planning:
Develop and implement a comprehensive communication plan aligned with CAMFED’s regional and global strategies, goals and objectives
Provide leadership and guidance to colleagues supporting the communications function to ensure consistency in messaging and brand representation
Global Collaboration:
Liaise closely with regional and global communications teams to align national communication efforts with regional and global initiatives
Participate in global communication planning sessions and contribute national insights
Partner and stakeholder engagement:
Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including local media, local community representatives, communications contacts in government ministries, civil society, corporate and other philanthropic partners and advocacy organizations
Support CAMFED Zimbabwe’s representatives in their advocacy and as spokespersons at national and regional events
Respond to queries from and engage with the Zimbabwean public
Content creation:
Identify compelling stories and commission, develop, write, edit and package content for various platforms, ensuring it resonates with diverse audiences across the country, and aligns with CAMFED’s values, communications policies and strategy
Work with program and district teams to further streamline content collection and curation
Coordinate and liaise with external agencies (e.g. public relations, events, photography & videography), ensuring communications policies and brand guidelines are adhered to
Collaborate with the global communications team to leverage content for international campaigns
Provide the global communications team with ‘live’ updates from relevant events and meetings by sharing photos, short videos, and/or written snippets
Look after and coordinate the procurement of communications equipment
Media & PR:
Cultivate and maintain relationships with local and national media outlets and maintain and update the media list
Develop and distribute media releases/pitches in collaboration with the Regional Head of Communications or PR agencies/specialists
Deal with media enquiries in close liaison with the Policy and Advocacy Manager and National Director
Work with the global communications team to ensure a steady stream of CAMFED spokespeople, who have the support and media training they need to confidently represent CAMFED Zimbabwe and the CAMFED Association
Introduce journalists to CAMFED representatives at conferences and events.
Support CAMFED Association members and other spokespeople to prepare for media interviews and coordinate media requests, including film projects
Support CAMFED’s social media ambassadors with guidance and support, in close collaboration with the global communications team
Crisis Communication:
When required, facilitate CAMFED Zimbabwe’s crisis communications, working closely with the CAMFED Zimbabwe’s leadership, upholding CAMFED’s values, principles, accountability and safeguarding
Provide guidance to colleagues on handling communications during crises
Internal Communication:
Facilitate effective internal communication among staff, ensuring everyone is well- informed about organizational activities and initiatives
Collaborate with program teams to gather information for communication materials
Event Management:
Support the planning and execution of events to promote CAMFED’s mission and engage with the community
Coordinate participation in regional conferences, workshops, and other relevant events
Monitoring and Evaluation:
Track and evaluate the impact of communication strategies, adjusting approaches as needed
Prepare regular reports on communication activities and outcomes for internal and external stakeholders
Training and Development:
Identify training and development for colleagues supporting the communications function, working closely with the National Directors and regional & global communication leads and focal persons to address these
Support or conduct workshops and training sessions to enhance the skills and knowledge of colleagues and CAMFED Association members
Qualifications and Experience
Person specification:
A bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, International Relations, Journalism, or similar
Minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience in communications, public relations, or a similar role, preferably within the NGO sector
Proficiency in at least one of the indigenous languages in Zimbabwe
Fluency in English, with excellent communications skills, and the ability and confidence to communicate at all levels
Proven track record in creating and managing diverse content types, including written materials, digital media, and social media campaigns
Demonstrated experience in collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, including government ministries, civil society organizations, and corporate partners
Experience in building and maintaining relationships with media outlets, including pitching stories and managing media inquiries
Background in supporting communication efforts for events, workshops, and conferences, ensuring effective messaging and representation
Experience in managing communication projects from inception to completion, including planning, execution, and evaluation
Experience working in diverse cultural contexts, particularly in the African region, with an understanding of local socio-economic dynamics
Familiarity with digital communication tools and platforms, including content management systems, social media, and analytics tools
Deep awareness of sensitivities when working with vulnerable families and communities, as well as with national government platforms
Ability to identify and train CAMFED champions who can confidently represent the organization across various platforms
A strong alignment with CAMFED’s mission and values, demonstrating excellent judgment in centering the voices and expertise of young people and their communities while prioritizing privacy and safeguarding
Essential requirements:
A track record of working on compelling storytelling projects
Experience with content management systems, with the ability to quickly pick up Web-based content management systems
High competence in Google workspace and/or other cloud-based applications for real-time collaboration
A background or interest in digital marketing, videography and photography
Desired:
Working knowledge of using systems and databases to support data analytics
A track record of using social media for issues-based advocacy or storytelling
Familiarity with video and photo editing software
Familiarity with customer relationship management tools
A desire to be part of a fast-growing and dynamic movement dedicated to tackling some of the world’s greatest challenges including poverty, social injustice, gender inequality, and climate change
Familiarity with crisis communication strategies and experience in handling sensitive situations with professionalism
