The five-year (2020-2025) USAID Local Impact Governance Project (Local Impact) is helping Zambia build up a sub-national system of governance for devolved service delivery more responsive to citizen needs. The program is engaging national and sub-national authorities to expand the capabilities of partner provinces and districts 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 activity is specifically working 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.

Local impact is looking for a suitable candidate to fill the vacancy below:

1.   Position One (1)

Position: Communications & Outreach Specialist
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
Contract Name: USAID Local Impact Governance Project
Type:Long Term Technical Assistance
Salary Grade: Grade 9
Period of Performance: On/around December 1, 2022 – November 1, 2025

2.   Role’s Purpose

The Communications and Outreach Specialist will oversee project communications and reporting, internally and externally, and ensure that all USAID reporting deliverables and communication documents comply with USAID contractual and branding and marking regulations and are delivered on time. The Communications and Outreach Coordinator is responsible for 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.   Tasks

• Oversees, coordinates and manages the production of all required USAID reporting deliverables (quarterly, and annual/final reports), incorporating and integrating the reports generated by Local Impact’s technical teams and ensuring that a high-quality product is submitted to USAID.
• Coordinates and facilitates data collection with the MEL Specialist for USAID on-demand data calls and prepares special and/or ad hoc reports as required.
• Works closely with technical staff to identify and produce regular success stories, conducting interviews and following the impact of the project on a rolling-basis.
• In close collaboration with GRZ and district counterparts, implement approved institutional Communications and Outreach Strategies to ensure that target audiences are reached with the appropriate messages and media.
• Takes photographs for project publications at events as required.
• Oversees the production of program promotional materials, including brochures and other publications and facilitates their distribution.
• Ensures that all communications materials for the program are well-conceived, targeted and delivered.
• Adheres strictly to and provides guidance to staff on USAID branding guidelines and the project’s Branding & Marking Plan.
• Contributes to technical program activities in the area of strategic communications.
• Develops and implements a communications and outreach plan that will highlight achievements and communicate updates to the client effectively and successfully.
• Designs, develops, and manages content of project website.
• Develops content for and manages the administration of project social media.
• Develops and manages all project electronic and print communications including event banners, brochures, fact sheets, business cards, speaker or facilitator profiles, and any online presence.
• Prepares any materials required for USAID or other high-profile delegations such as talking points, press releases, speaker briefings, and acts as press POC at any project events.
• Serve as the chief editor ensuring all communication materials are pristine and manage the editing process within the team.

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

Place Of Performance and Reporting

•  The position will be based in the Local Impact Activity’s main office in Lusaka, Zambia and will report to the Deputy Chief Of Party.
• The position will supervise the Communications and Outreach Intern.
• The position entails frequent travel to provincial offices.

4.   Minimum Qualifications

• University degree communications, public relations etc in relevant field required.
• 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in communications and reporting on USAID-funded projects, preferred.
• Experience designing communications plans, developing and implementing knowledge management tools or systems, developing content for social media platforms, and working with web-developers.
• Ability to respond effectively to time sensitive demands & inquiries.
• Demonstrated exceptional customer relations (both internally & externally).
• Excellent organizational skills with a willingness to take initiative and be proactive.
• An energetic, forward-thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards and appropriate professional image.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• A demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Fluency in English is required