Job Description

Location: Harare

Job Summary
The Zvandiri Communications and Advocacy Officer (CAO) supports the External Relations Manager to deliver Zvandiri’s communications and advocacy strategy, ensuring that Zvandiri is represented to its external stakeholders in such a way that accurately communicates our purpose, work and impact. The CAO plays a crucial role in enhancing Zvandiri’s visibility, engagement and impact through effective communication and advocacy strategies. The CAO coordinates youth-led advocacy to inform policy, practice and resource allocation for young people living with HIV. The CAO ensures Zvandiri is responsive to the needs and experiences of our beneficiaries, drives for quality services and support to, ensure health and well-being for all young people living with HIV.

Duties and Responsibilities

Roles and Responsibilities
• Working with the ER Manager, the CAO develops, implements, monitors and evaluates Zvandiri’s communications and advocacy strategy and annual work plan; informed by Zvandiri’s strategic plan, current work and latest evidence.
• Advance awareness and understanding of Zvandiri’s purpose, work and impact with a wide range of stakeholders, including Governments and policy makers, service providers, others implementing partners, funders and young people.
• Coordinate the design, production and distribution of engaging and impactful content, including articles, blogs, press releases, social media posts, videos, and other multimedia materials for a wide range of audiences.
• Maintain and update the organization's website, ensuring that content is accurate, relevant, and appealing to visitors.
• Manage the organization's social media platforms, including content creation, scheduling, monitoring, and engaging with online communities.
• Support the planning and execution of events, workshops, conferences, and other communications and advocacy related initiatives.
• Contribute to building a strong brand identity and consistent visual elements across all communication materials.
• Cultivate relationships with media outlets, journalists, and influencers to increase media coverage and enhance the organization's public profile.
• Monitor media coverage related to adolescent HIV, identify opportunities for engagement, and respond to media inquiries.
• Collaborate with program teams to gather information, success stories, and data for use in communications materials to various stakeholders.
• Provide guidance and training to colleagues on effective communication practices and storytelling techniques.
• Manage internal communications to ensure consistent messaging and a well-informed staff.
• In collaboration with the Strategic Information and Evaluation and Knowledge Evidence and Innovation units, document the impact of the communications and advocacy initiatives and use to inform further advocacy and comms.
• Foster relations with stakeholders through which to advance Zvandiri’s communications and advocacy activities, including opportunities for Zvandiri’s youth advocates.

Qualifications and Experience

Professional Qualifications and Experience
• Master's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.
• At least 5 years’ experience in developing and implementing successful, creative communication and advocacy strategies; experience working with youth is ideal.
• Demonstrated excellence in engaging and inspiring a wide range of stakeholders to shape policy, practice and resource allocation for young people living with HIV.
• Proven experience in media relations, including cultivating media contacts and responding to media inquiries.
• Proven experience in website management.
• Proven to be a passionate inspiring, strategic individual, committed to improving the lives of young people living with HIV, through evidence-based, high level, effective communications and advocacy.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge and understanding of the current policy, practice and resourcing context for children, adolescents and young people living with HIV.
• Excellence in writing and development of engaging communications and advocacy content for young people, and wide range of stakeholders working with young people living with HIV.
• Training and experience in the capacity building of young people to engage in unique, creative, mixed media communications and advocacy.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in graphic design tools (Adobe Creative Suite) is a plus.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of local languages is an advantage.
• Flexibility to attend events, workshops, and conferences as required.
• Embodies Zvandiri’s values, purpose and spirit.

How to Apply

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Deadline: Mid-day 8th of December 2023.

Zvandiri is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. ZVANDIRI has zero tolerance for any form of harassment and staff are expected to uphold the organizational values and core competencies especially diversity and inclusion, integrity, commitment, and respect for others as our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children and safeguarding employees and communities from Sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse.

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