Communications Officer

Project background:

SNV Zambia is diversifying its funding base, which requires strong profiling and external communication of its activities to clients, partners, and donors. It is for this reason that SNV Zambia is looking for an enthusiastic and creative person to lead our external communication and public relations strategy to boost SNV’s information dissemination and profiling. SNV Zambia manages projects in the Agriculture, Energy, Water Sanitation and Hygiene sectors. The Communications Officer is therefore closely involved in marketing the respective projects.

Purpose of the job:

The Communication Officer position aims to boost and manage SNV Zambia’s external communication and public relations strategy to clients, partners and donors. The Communication officer will provide information at request and proactively interact with staff and external parties to achieve high quality and consistent positioning of SNV in Zambia.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

Communication Management

• Develop a communications plan for the country and set clear objectives;
• Support program managers and sector leaders to mainstream communication activities into sector and project strategies.
• Provide support and inputs to Corporate Communication strategies and processes.
• Consistently monitor the effectiveness and results of the use of various platforms

Content Management

• Contribute Zambia content to corporate publications such as the annual report, magazines, brochures, leaflets and video’s;
• Coordinate, manage and monitor quality of SNV Zambia publications and external communications (such as capability statements, websites, social media, brochures, flyers, research reports, campaigns);
• Work closely with the program managers in all communication related activities in each project.
• Compile and publish annual public reports.
• Develop and distribute quarterly newsletters
• Manage and update the Knowledge Development Database and Information System;
• Communication field trips for collection of stories, pictures and video.

Online Communication

• Manage the SNV Zambia and other project websites and ensure it is up to date with regular news items, relevant publications and attractive stories about our work.
• Increase SNV’s presence on social media including maintaining SNV Zambia Twitter account and project Facebook accounts.
• Consistently monitor the effectiveness and results of the use of various platforms

Communication Support

• Training and coaching to SNV Zambia staff on effective external communication, photography and use of social media.

Media/Donor relations

• Foster good working relationships and partnerships with media agencies, relevant correspondents and journalists;
• Support sector teams with external communications during SNV conferences, workshops and events;
• Exposure visits with donors and journalists.

Competencies, Capabilities and Attributes: (Skills/behavioural (Special Training or Competence) :

• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills;
• Excellent communication (writing and oral) and editing skills, with experience in profiling an organization in an international setting;
• Proficiency in IT, with a good understanding of web design techniques and the use of various social media channels
• Proficiency in the use of digital cameras and video.
• An eye for design. Knowledge of photo and video editing or design programmes is an asset.
• Collaborative, proactive, outgoing and ability to work independently and with diverse teams.
• Ability to manage and guide external service providers for radio, television and other media related assignments

Academic & professional qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:

• A minimum of a Bachelor degree in mass communications, marketing, media design, public relations, or other appropriate degree;
• A minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Proven familiarity and interest in development in Zambia;
• Good knowledge and skills in editing, writing, proof reading, design including web design;
• Fluent in speaking, reading, and writing English;
• Good communication and relational skills.
• Good computer literacy skills including use of Microsoft and Adobe (Publisher, InDesign, Illustrator, or Adobe Photoshop)

Working environment:

The Communications Officer will be based in the SNV Head Office in Lusaka with occasional outside travels as the job demands. The position reports to the Country Director with close collaboration required with SNV’s respective projects. The Communications Officer will also collaborate with the Marketing and Communication officers in the Head Office in The Hague.