Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill the following positions which have arisen in Human Resources and Administration Section of the Women’s University in Africa:

Communications and Public Relations Officer (1 Post)

Reports to: Communications & Public Relations Manager

POSITION SUMMARY
The Communications & Public Relations Officer is an integral member of University‘s Development Team. The Officer will use all forms of media and communications to build, maintain and manage awareness of University’s work. The Officer will be expected to help create and communicate key messages to defined target audiences in order to establish and maintain goodwill for WUA.

The University

Women’s University in Africa (WUA) is a private university established in 2002 by Professor Hope Cynthia Sadza, a former Public Service commissioner in Zimbabwe with her colleague Dr Fay King Chung, a former Minister for Education & culture in Zimbabwe as well. They registered their intentions through a Trust know as Women’s university in Africa Trust, MA692/2001 dated 23 march 2001. Four top objects of the Trust are:-

To reduce the imbalance between men and women in higher education in Africa
To increase the opportunities and capacities for women to acquire skills at higher level and their opportunities for employment and participation in national development programmes and to increase the capacity of women and their confidence to successfully face the same challenges as experienced by men to be competitive in both local and global labour markets
To reduce poverty among women by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills for their employment and personal upliftment.
To increase the opportunity and capacity for women to understand their environment and have the ability to exploit their society or region as a whole through research and community involvement.
The Minister for Higher Education, in terms of section 18 of the National Council for higher Education Act (Chapter 25:08), submitted to the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe the Women’s university Trust application for establishment of a private university. A Charter, Statutory Instrument 130 of 2004 was granted on the 17th of September 2003 and the university established. In terms of this charter, the main campus of the university and its administrative offices shall be at Marirangwe Estate of Ruzawi, in the District of Marondera, 5km South of Marondera Town.

Duties and Responsibilities
Develop a stakeholder management process by creating and maintaining a contact database and a communication plan that targets key stakeholder groups.
Advise on internal communication tools and, when required, coordinate internal communication events.
As a decision is made to response to an emergency, collaborate with management team
and proactively network with journalists in the field to benefit from high media interest in the early stages of a disaster, including coordinating interviews, prepping spokespeople, and when appropriate serving as spokesperson.
Regularly solicit stories, and notable developments or achievements to the news media.
Manage messaging to external parties, including talking points, media kits, and media training for staff.
Support media relations, public engagement and marketing initiatives such as online advertising, research and media outreach
Assist with development of promotional materials, including Annual Report, press kits and other related publications
Support fund raising campaigns, event planning and management
Identify promotional opportunities that are both strategic and creative Social Media
Own all relevant social media platforms to generate brand growth and positive sentiment for the organization, as well as being tasked with creating new, innovative and talk-worthy content to drive awareness and engagement
Produce online content that engages audience segments and leads to measurable action
Develop and implement a strategic social media/marketing/communications plan to advance the University’s brand identity; broaden awareness of its programs and priorities and increase the visibility of its programs across key audiences
Develop and implement integrated social media strategy to achieve goals including: traffic generation, donor base growth, community activation, positive sentiment, exposure, etc.
Coordinate with other departments to lead execution of integrated social media fund raising campaigns
Recommend new social media tools, sites, and applications as part of the social media mix
Be ahead of all the emerging social and mobile trends.
Branding

Develop, implement, a strategic communications plan to advance the University’s brand identity; broaden awareness of its programs and priorities and increase the visibility of its programs across key audiences
Serve as social media editor-in-chief and social media “brand voice”–set guidelines in line with industry best pra

Work/Educational Requirements

BA in communications, international relations or Media Studies
Three years of relevant work experience with demonstrated skills in communications and public relations.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Previous media relations experience and proven ability to cultivate relationships with
regional and national press
Previous experience in event coordination or management
Basic graphic design skills and familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and/or Illustrator a plus

The Department of Marketing, Communications & Public Relations value:
Respect – Reliability culture
Honesty – Gratefulness in humility
Professionalism – Being Self-driven with satisfaction
Accountability – Teamwork for improvement
Excellence – Responsive and trustworthiness