Overview

Lead advocacy initiatives and communications strategy to enhance visibility.

You have:

• Bachelor's Degree in Law, International Relations/Communications, Journalism, Politics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Economics or related field. Master’s Degree will be preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in international development in leadership role; prefer hand’s on advocacy and advocate at the national, regional and local level of a developing country.
• Experience in Project Management and the development and production of a wide array of communication materials such as publications, video segments, web, and other media.
• Ability to communicate fluently in English, and to relate cross-culturally with a wide range of international constituencies.
• Cross-cultural sensitivity, flexible worldview, emotional maturity and physical stamina.
• Demonstrated capacity to function well in a team and contribute effectively to team efforts.
• Committed to World Vision core values and mission statement and participation in devotions.

With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

Local - Fixed Term Employee (Fixed Term)Job Description:

JOB PURPOSE

This position is designed to increase impact of advocacy initiatives and visibility of WVZ within the Partnership and the nation. Positive media coverage, engagement with individual and institutional donors and production of communications and advocacy products will be the ultimate responsibility of this key leadership role. The Advocacy & Communications Team Leader will provide leadership in the implementation of advocacy initiatives and production of communications that contribute to WVZ’s National Office Strategy. The role directly supports the National Director in providing excellent internal and external communications. She/he leads and manages formulation and implementation of a comprehensive advocacy and communications strategy.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

ADVOCACY

Strategic leadership

• Develop and implement a national Advocacy and Communications strategy as a framework for advocacy initiatives in Zimbabwe.
• Be the Focal Point person and primary liaison with the Regional Office and Zimbabwean Government in the area of on Advocacy Issues. (This will include analysis, lobbying and campaigning).
• Build relationships with the media in order to protect the image of World Vision Zimbabwe.
• Ensure that advocacy is mainstreamed into all areas of World Vision programming including emergency responses and child sponsorship.
• Lead assessment and research activities to gather information and analysis that would inform policy and advocacy briefing documents, assessment reports, and research papers.

Resource Development and cross-sector collaboration

• Explore potential funding sources for advocacy work and WV campaigns.
• Work with the Support Office, Regional Advocacy & campaigns, and other regional ministry functions to ensure that grants and other specially funded initiatives incorporate advocacy and EVAC campaign elements.
• Provide support in the development of multi-country proposals.
• Act as a focal point person for external and media engagement on child protection and gender issues, which may require profiling and advocacy interventions In times of emergency responses, support messaging and policy briefs in collaboration with the region

Networking and Liaison

• Participate in the Partnership Advocacy Response Group for Southern Africa Region.
• Liaise with WV Support Offices, Regional Offices, and WV International staff to coordinate advocacy activities and messaging on Zimbabwe.
• Coordinate with other agencies carrying out advocacy initiatives in Zimbabwe, to open opportunities for World Vision to collaborate with other agencies in this area of advocacy.

Gender advocacy

• Ensure National Office Gender strategy is developed, shared, implemented and evaluated accordingly.
• Enhance networks and partnership with Church and other faith-based institutions, Regional and National NGOs, OAU, UN Agencies, The World Bank and other foundations on issues related to gender equality mainstreaming and justice.
• Provide management oversight to new initiatives in the area of Gender and Development to ensure that there is synergy, appropriate approaches are adopted, the required resources are available and competent staff is hired for those initiatives.

COMMUNICATIONS

Ensure the development and implementation of a strategy/plan based on World Vision’s five communications focus areas:

Donor/Public Engagement Communications:

• Lead a team to be able to produce writing, video, photography, packaged feature stories and issues-oriented reports primarily focused on families and children in communities in Zimbabwe, which can be utilized for web-based, electronic and print materials that ensure effective donor and public engagement.
• Support development of WV Zimbabwe publications including the Annual Report

Media Communications:

• Develop a plan that will increase World Vision’s profile in the country through the media
• Be the point person for all media risk issues in Zimbabwe and work with regional and global teams whenever a crisis arises
• Build the capacity of World Vision’s leaders and staff ability to deal with the media and ensure that there are spokespersons within the organisation on various issues.

Advocacy Communications:

• Develop communications plans for various advocacy projects in order to raise the profile of their work among internal and external audiences
• Support advocacy unit in defining key issues, messaging, and identifying appropriate communications channels for public advocacy initiatives.
• Support advocacy campaigns by engaging the media to gain exposure and credibility, and increase public discussion and fundraising.

Emergency Communications

• Plan and manage communications in response to emergency disaster/relief situations, ensuring that the WV Partnership is provided with quality situation reports, stories, video photos and media interviews from the field.
• Ensure the WV Zimbabwe website is managed and updated regular during the emergency period.

Internal Communications

• Develop an internal communications plan to ensure staff across WV Zimbabwe and the partnership at large are informed and engaged with the organisation’s work.
• Establish systems and safeguards for the appropriate and effective flows of relevant information to and from WV Zimbabwe.

EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT

• Strong experience representing an organisation at high-level national, regional, and global platforms.

• Building strategic partnerships with:

  • The Private Sector
  • UN agencies
  • Civil society coalitions
  • Faith-based organisations
  • Regional actors (e.g., SADC, AU-affiliated bodies)
  • Media houses and influential journalists

TEAM LEADERSHIP

Training, Capacity Building and Organizational Leadership

• Lead, manage, & mentor staff of the Advocacy & Communications team, ensuring goals and objectives are implemented effectively.
• Build team capabilities to make the communications department a centre of excellency for strategic communications.
• Develop and monitor the departmental budget.
• Assess and develop the skills of the staff in the department, as well as facilitate their professional growth.

KNOWLEDGE/ QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law, International Relations/Communications, Journalism, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Economics or related field. Master’s Degree will be preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Project Management and international development in a leadership role.
• Experience in production of a wide array of high level communication materials.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in strategic-level engagement and building collaborative relationships with government, donors, media and peer agencies
• Ability to communicate fluently in English, and as well as cross-cultural
• NOTE: Include a portfolio of publications and videos of published works or such (share links where possible).

Knowledge Requirements

A solid understanding of:

• National level advocacy, organisational advocacy strategies and the Zimbabwean policy landscape
• Government structures and decision-making processes.
• Child rights and protection issues.
• Humanitarian systems and global development frameworks.
• Global advocacy priorities.
• Familiarity with donor expectations, branding protocols, and external engagement standards.

Technical Skills Required

• Advanced writing, editing, and content development (stories, policy papers, reports).
• Digital communications: social media, online campaigns, storytelling tools, and web content development.
• Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) for advocacy and communications impact.

World Vision is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from qualified women and individuals with disabilities.

NB: Kindly note that if you have previously applied for this role, you do not need to reapply

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local Applicants Only

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 6 months ago - Updated 5 months ago - Source: wvi.org