Communications Specialist

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.

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

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.

Accountabilities:

Program communication strategy, plan and implementation for social mobilization

• In collaboration with program technical advisors, the Communications 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 program for positive social change.
• Support the development of sound country level strategies and plans which efficiently profile the importance of Plan’s program, gender transformation and influencing priorities
• Support the M&E team in ensuring Knowledge Management and Documentation
• Develop risk management matrix for children in contact with the media so as to ensure Safeguarding of Children and Young People

Media Management

• 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
• Manage risk and brand reputation to ensure that media work benefits rather than harms Plan International’s strategic objectives and does not endanger staff, program, partners and the communities we work with
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of media projects at country level and provide regular strategic reporting and give recommendations

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
• Produce 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
• 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

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

External Communications

• Support stakeholder identification and mapping to feed into a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy
• 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

Internal Communications

• 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 staff understanding of our core vision – internal newsletters, communiques, videos, talks

Child Protection & gender equality mainstreaming

• Promotes and abides by Plan policies and procedures including but not limited to: Gender equality mainstreaming, Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct and the related mandatory reporting responsibilities.

Knowledge:

• A university degree in Mass Communications, Public Relations or Journalism
• Advanced university degree in the social sciences with emphasis on strategic communication planning for social change, participatory communication, and research is an added advantage
• 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
• 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
• Fluency in English
• Experience of working with international NGOs and understanding of a rights-based approach

Skills:

• A university degree in Mass Communications, Public Relations or Journalism
• Advanced university degree in the social sciences with emphasis on strategic communication planning for social change, participatory communication, and research is an added advantage
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, including ability to find, absorb, analyse and prioritise 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

Behaviors:

Performance

• Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behaviour
• 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

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 : 13 December 2021