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
Location: Harare Country Office

Job Description
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. This will be in alignment with Plan International’s visibility, influencing and resource mobilization goals, to position Plan International Zimbabwe in the country and region as the leading organization for children’s, especially girls’ rights, and to connect and interact with key audiences (both internal and external) to gain support for the mission of Plan International in the country.

Accountabilities
Program communication strategy, plan and implementation for social mobilization
In collaboration with program technical advisors, the Communication 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 Programs 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
Ensure coordination of advocacy messages and activities between the field offices, Country Office and the regional and international levels.
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
Advise on the development of a risk management matrix for children in contact with the media so as to ensure Safeguarding of Children and Young People

Media Management
Manage media engagement strategy, including proactive and reactive, in line with the global strategy.
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
Maintain and develop a network of press and media contacts through active engagement with editors and journalists particularly in press related to children’s and girls’ rights.
Manage risk and brand reputation to ensure that media work benefits rather than harms Plan International’s strategic objectives and does not endanger staff, Programs, partners and the communities we work with
Monitor and evaluate the impact of media projects at country level

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
Lead the production of 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
Ensure material is properly signed off

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
Build capacities of country teams on capacity gaps related to media and communications

Internal and External Communications
Support stakeholder identification and mapping to feed into a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy
Oversee internal and external communications, ensuring messaging is consistent and engaging
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
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 Plan International’s staff understanding of our core vision – internal newsletters, communiques, videos, talks

Other key deliverables including:
Maintaining good inter-team communications, engender good team dynamics;
Adherence to Plan policies, including:

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding of Children & Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Qualifications and Experience:
Advanced university degree in the social sciences with emphasis on strategic communication planning for social change, participatory communication, and research.
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
Experience in copy editing, producing newsletters and using web content management systems
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
Sound political judgement and risk management
Demonstrated and considerable experience of working with international media, communications or public relations roles
Fluency in English, knowledge of more than one local language is desirable.
Experience of working with international NGOs and understanding of a rights-based approach

Skills
Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, including ability to find, absorb, analyze and prioritize 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

Behaviours

Performance
Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behavior
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

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE

We are open and accountable

Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people.

We strive for lasting impact

Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.
We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace.
We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and change their own lives.

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

Please note that Plan International does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Closing Date: 15 May 2023