Organization Background
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian non-governmental organization that advances childrenโs rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And its girls who are most affected. Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. 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. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.
Working in Zambia since 1996, Plan International Zambiaโs development and humanitarian programmes focus primarily on Inclusive Quality Education, Skills and Opportunities for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, Early Childhood Development and Gender Responsive Child Protection. Child protection is key in all that we do. Plan International Zambia has Programme Areas (PAs) in; Central, Luapula, and Eastern Provinces including in Lusaka, where the Country Office is located.
Location: Country Office, Lusaka
Reports to: Head of Programs
Grade: D2
Closing Date: 19 April 2024
Position Description:
The purpose of Communications Coordinator is to manage and facilitate the implementation of a communication strategy and plans of action aiming at project beneficiaries, donors, government and the general public; support media work on major humanitarian emergencies to manage media enquiries and link with relevant spokespersons as appropriate; 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; and provide technical support and mentoring as well as on the job training to a network of communications focal points/staff in the country.
Responsibilities:
- Support the development of sound country level strategies and plans which efficiently profile the importance of Planโs programme, gender transformation and influencing priorities.
- Makes viable recommendations on operational strategies in the areas of participatory communication, social mobilization and on appropriate materials and media to reach target audiences.
- Support the M&E team in ensuring Knowledge Management and Documentation.
- Ensures project and office visibility material are in line with Plan International branding policy.
- Implement a national media strategy aligned to Country Strategy aligned to the global strategy, to deliver high impact media coverage in national markets.
- Support media work on major humanitarian emergencies to manage media enquiries and link with relevant spokespersons as appropriate.
- 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.
- Support the creation and management of content for Plan Internationalโs Zambia website and social media accounts.
- Carryout periodical Communication Audit to identify communication gaps and review progress made on key communication strategies being implemented.
- 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.
- 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.
- Spearhead the collection, packaging and dissemination of high-quality content in multiple formats for targeted audience including but not limited to information packs, opinion pieces, press releases, speeches and talking points, opinion pieces, news reactions, blogs, annual reports and 18+ newsletter.
- Provide technical support and mentoring as well as on the job training to a network of communications focal points/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.
- Build capacities of country teams on capacity gaps related to media and communications.
- Provide support to spokespeople on a range of humanitarian, development and campaigning issues while training more spokespeople in the country office.
- Manage Plan Internationalโs 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 Internationalโs Zambia website content and social media accounts.
- Develop risk management matrix for children in contact with the media to ensure Safeguarding of Children and Young People.
- Manage risk and brand reputation to ensure that media work benefits rather than harms Plan Internationalโs strategic objectives and does not endanger staff, programmes, partners and the communities.
- Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) policies and Plan Internationalโs Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
- Ensures that Programme staff are properly inducted on and understands their role in upholding Plan Internationalโs safeguarding and GEI policies.
- Ensures that Plan Zambia contributes to Plan Internationalโs global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Degree in the social sciences preferably in mass communication, strategic management, research methods, etc.
- 5 yearsโ relevant work experience.
- Experience of working with international NGOs and understanding of a rights-based approach.
- Demonstrable experience in working with international media, communications or public relations roles.
- A track record of achieving results and strategic impact on communications and media and in building capacity for teams to deliver.
- Development communication experience is an added advantage.
- Demonstrated experience of the key responsibilities, including working with media, delivering communications strategies, managing internal communications, knowledge of digital media, and creating networks.
- Member of Zambia Public Relations Association-ZAPRA.