Summary
Date Posted: Thursday, September 21 2023, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
1. Project Description:
The five-year (2020-2025) USAID Local Impact Governance Project (Local Impact) will help Zambia build up a sub-national system of governance for devolved service delivery more responsive to citizen needs. The program will engage national and sub-national authorities to expand the capabilities of district-level governance bodies to deliver sustainable development outcomes, increase effective citizen and private-sector involvement in development planning and monitoring, and improve public financial management and domestic revenue generation.

The Project works toward three objectives:
• Objective 1: Citizens improve their collective skills to effectively assess service-delivery needs and performance and constructively engage with government
• Objective 2: The sub-national governance system becomes more responsive to citizen needs, generates, and accountably expends revenue, and improves service-delivery outcomes.
• Objective 3: The program generates learning and facilitates problem solving that supports the development of an effective, financially viable sub-national governance system for devolved services, capable of being scaled up throughout Zambia.

2. Role’s Purpose
The Communications Officer will assist the Communications and Outreach Specialist to oversee project communications and reporting, internally and externally, and ensure that all USAID reporting deliverables and communication documents comply with USAID contractual, branding and marking regulations, and are delivered on time. The Communications Officer is responsible for participating in planning, initiating, and managing the full breadth of the marketing and outreach activities of the project, with a strong focus on capturing and promoting the reach and impact of the project. S/he will additionally support project events, trainings, and workshops, ensuring compliant branding and production of any required informational materials.

3. Principal Duties and Responsibilities
• Work closely with the Communications and Outreach Specialist and technical staff to identify and produce regular success stories, conducting interviews and following the impact of the project on a rolling-basis.
• Take event/activity photographs and video clips for project publications as required.
• Conceptualize and draft program promotional materials, including brochures and other publications, and facilitate their distribution.
• Ensure that all communications materials for the program are well-conceived, targeted and delivered.
• Adhere strictly to and provide guidance to staff on USAID branding guidelines and the project’s Branding & Marking Plan.
• Works closely with the Communication and Outreach Specialist to develop and manage all project electronic and print branding and visibility materials including event banners, brochures, fact sheets, business cards, and any online presence.
• Serve as assistant editor, ensuring all communication materials are pristine and manage the editing process within the team.
• Support in capacity building of staff in story writing, reporting and basic photography.
• Frequently undertake field visits to interact with various stakeholders and project staff to document and capture high quality photographs and video clips covering various aspects of the project’s work.
• Support documentation and production of progress and achievements for dissemination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support development of content for and manage the administration of the project’s Facebook page (USAID Local Impact Governance Project), social media accounts and ensure regular content updating.
• Support the Communications and Outreach Specialist with any other tasks as needed.

5. Other duties
• Escalates any issues to his/her supervisor immediately.
• Prepared to travel to project provincial offices as required.
• Performs any other duties as assigned.

6. Place of Performance and Reporting
• The position will be based at the USAID Local Impact Activity’s main office in Lusaka, Zambia and will report to the Communications and Outreach Specialist
• The position entails frequent travels to provincial offices.

7. Required Qualifications
• Previous experience in a governance sphere and USAID projects.
• Advanced knowledge of the English grammar, usage, and editorial style and guidelines.
• High proficiency in MS Office (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
• Possess strong aesthetic sensibility and understanding of the basic principles of graphic design.
• Working knowledge and capabilities of using design software like InDesign, Photoshop, Corel Draw and Illustrator, and video editing software, will be a huge advantage.

8. Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication, Media Studies or Public Relations
• Excellent organizational skills with a willingness to take initiative and be proactive.
• At least three years of experience in communications, outreach, and dissemination activities.
• Experience in communications and reporting on USAID-funded projects, preferred.
• Experience developing content for social media platforms.
• Ability to respond effectively to time sensitive demands & inquiries.
• Good understanding of the issues related to decentralization and operations of local authorities in Zambia.
• Excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English, with considerable fluency in one or more of the spoken local languages in the target provinces.
• Photography, video and design/layout skills and experience
• Ability to work as an active member of teams, and in a varied cultural and institutional context.
• A demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently to project-supported provinces.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 96

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure
• Interested and qualified? Click here to apply

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