The Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) is a statutory body established under the Medicines and Allied Substances Act, Chapter 299 of the Laws of Zambia, responsible for the regulation of medicines and allied substances in Zambia. The Authority invites applications from suitably qualified Zambian citizens who are ambitious, innovative, energetic and performance-driven to apply for the following positions:

1. MANAGER – PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS (1)

Duty Station: ZAMRA Head Office, Lusaka

Job Purpose

To provide strategic and operational leadership of the Authority’s public relations and communications function, ensuring effective external and internal communication of the Authority’s regulatory mandate, public health messages, media relations, brand management, stakeholder engagement and public education.

Qualifications or requirements 

• Full Form V/Grade 12 School Certificate with five (5) ‘O’ Level credits or better, including English and Mathematics;
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or a related discipline;
• A Master’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a Master of Business Administration, is highly desirable;

Experience needed

• A minimum of five (5) years’ relevant work experience in public relations, corporate communications, journalism or marketing, at least three (3) of which should be at management or team leadership level;
• Experience in health sector, regulatory or government communications will be a distinct advantage; and
• Full member of the Zambia Public Relations Association (ZAPRA), Zambia Institute of Marketing (ZIM), the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) or an equivalent professional body.

Required Skills and Attributes

• Strategic communications and media relations skills;
• Crisis communication and regulatory risk communication skills;
• Digital communications skills, including website and social media management;
• Content creation and publications management skills;
• Brand and corporate identity management skills;
• Stakeholder engagement and public education campaign skills;
• Event, budget and vendor management skills;
• Good analytical, planning and organisation skills;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines; and
• High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Authority’s Communications Strategy and annual communications plan;
• Direct media relations, including press releases, press conferences, media enquiries, interviews and media monitoring, and serve as the Authority’s principal media spokesperson or coordinate spokesperson briefings;
• Lead regulatory risk communication by coordinating with technical directorates on public safety alerts, product recalls, Dear Healthcare Professional Communications and warnings on substandard and falsified products;
• Manage the Authority’s digital communications, including website content, social media platforms, electronic newsletters and digital analytics;
• Direct public education and awareness campaigns on medicine safety, rational medicine use, antimicrobial resistance, adverse drug reaction reporting and the dangers of substandard and falsified products;
• Manage the Authority’s brand and corporate identity, including visual identity standards, publication design and corporate event branding;
• Oversee the production of the Authority’s publications, including the Annual Report, safety newsletters, fact sheets, infographics and educational materials;
• Manage internal communications, including staff newsletters, intranet content and internal events;
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement events, including industry forums, healthcare professional sensitisation and consumer outreach activities;
• Develop crisis communication protocols and coordinate rapid response messaging during product safety emergencies and reputational events;
• Manage the unit budget, vendor relationships and the procurement of communications services;
• Supervise, mentor and develop unit staff, and build communications capacity across the Authority through media training for technical staff; and
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

NOTE: Candidates are required to have their qualifications verified by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) before submitting their applications.

ZAMRA is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds.

• Develop and implement the Authority’s Communications Strategy and annual communications plan;
• Direct media relations, including press releases, press conferences, media enquiries, interviews and media monitoring, and serve as the Authority’s principal media spokesperson or coordinate spokesperson briefings;
• Lead regulatory risk communication by coordinating with technical directorates on public safety alerts, product recalls, Dear Healthcare Professional Communications and warnings on substandard and falsified products;
• Manage the Authority’s digital communications, including website content, social media platforms, electronic newsletters and digital analytics;
• Direct public education and awareness campaigns on medicine safety, rational medicine use, antimicrobial resistance, adverse drug reaction reporting and the dangers of substandard and falsified products;
• Manage the Authority’s brand and corporate identity, including visual identity standards, publication design and corporate event branding;
• Oversee the production of the Authority’s publications, including the Annual Report, safety newsletters, fact sheets, infographics and educational materials;
• Manage internal communications, including staff newsletters, intranet content and internal events;
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement events, including industry forums, healthcare professional sensitisation and consumer outreach activities;
• Develop crisis communication protocols and coordinate rapid response messaging during product safety emergencies and reputational events;
• Manage the unit budget, vendor relationships and the procurement of communications services;
• Supervise, mentor and develop unit staff, and build communications capacity across the Authority through media training for technical staff; and
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

• Strategic communications and media relations skills;
• Crisis communication and regulatory risk communication skills;
• Digital communications skills, including website and social media management;
• Content creation and publications management skills;
• Brand and corporate identity management skills;
• Stakeholder engagement and public education campaign skills;
• Event, budget and vendor management skills;
• Good analytical, planning and organisation skills;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines; and
• High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.

• Full Form V/Grade 12 School Certificate with five (5) ‘O’ Level credits or better, including English and Mathematics;
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or a related discipline;
• A Master’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a Master of Business Administration, is highly desirable;
• A minimum of five (5) years’ relevant work experience in public relations, corporate communications, journalism or marketing, at least three (3) of which should be at management or team leadership level;
• Experience in health sector, regulatory or government communications will be a distinct advantage; and
• Full member of the Zambia Public Relations Association (ZAPRA), Zambia Institute of Marketing (ZIM), the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) or an equivalent professional body.