Communications Officer

Job Description

Location: Harare
Reports to: Country Coordinator

Summary

The Communications Officer manages all communications involving PELUM Zimbabwe including the development and implementation of a communications strategy and a broad and diverse range of business and marketing communications. The Communications Officer works closely with the PELUM Zimbabwe team to facilitate an effective two-way communication cycle.

Specific Areas of Responsibility

Strategy and planning:

• Develop and implement PELUM Zimbabwe’s Communications Strategy in line with the organization’s Strategic Plan;
• Develop and implement PELUM Zimbabwe’s annual communications action plans in line with the organization’s Strategic Plan.

Internal and external Communication:

• Lead in the production of result based project reports, newsletters, and other advocacy and promotional materials that promote thematic areas of the organization;
• Document success stories, challenges, case studies, lessons learnt for future fundraising, capacity building purposes and amplifying agroecology practices by PELUM Zimbabwe members;
• Generate content for social media channels that can be shared and seeded on digital platforms;
• Participate in project activities and support internal and external communications in close coordination with the Programmes Officer;
• Prepare various reports that inform organisational operations, decision making and strategies.
• Enhance the capacity of staff and PELUM members in capturing/identifying best practices and stories;
• Coordinate all virtual and physical gatherings for the organization;
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists and other key external role-players.

New business Development:

• Develop and maintain a database of prospective funders for PELUM Zimbabwe;
• Develop and maintain a schedule with calls for proposals/concept notes that are in line with PELUM Zimbabwe’s Strategic Plan;
• Provide support in developing proposals and concept notes.

Others:

• Participate in team and other organisational meetings or working groups as required;
• Participate in monthly meetings and annual performance appraisals;
• Share information through PELUM Zimbabwe information and relationship management systems;
• Perform other duties and tasks, consistent with the skills and expertise of the Communications Officer and as assigned by the Country Coordinator.

Desired Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software;
• Organized with attention to detail;
• Superior ability to write in a journalistic style that is customary for corporate and external publications;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work with corporate management, employees, media, and the larger community;
• Ability to coordinate efforts of various teams in order to present a coherent message.
• Work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field;
• Willingness to learn and grow with the organisation.

Application requirements

• CV less than 3 pages;
• 1 page cover letter

Application due date

All applications should be sent to [email protected]

Deadline: 9 March 2021 (12 pm)