Development Media International (DMI) delivers media campaigns aimed at changing behaviours, promoting health and saving lives in developing countries. We are the first organisation to scientifically demonstrate that mass media can increase life-saving behaviours (see the results of our RCT that proved our interventions can save thousands of children’s lives, here).

DMI has two priorities: first, to continue to generate ground-breaking research, second, to take our proven strategies to scale, saving as many lives as possible. We work across a range of health issues, including child survival, reproductive health, nutrition, hygiene, and early childhood development. DMI works in close partnership with leading experts in health, including WHO, UNICEF and LSHTM and has been funded by some of the world’s most prestigious organisations including the Wellcome Trust, DFID, Comic Relief, the Global Innovation Fund, Unorthodox Philanthropy, and the Mulago Foundation.

We are an innovative and rapidly growing organisation, working at the nexus between science and creativity. DMI has demonstrated that knowledge is not only a human right but is also the key to saving lives in a cost-effective way. Our intellectual rigour, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn from both our successes and mistakes, makes us distinct. Our ethos is non-hierarchical: all our staff are intellectually high-powered, and we have a “best idea wins” culture. By working at DMI you will have a genuine, measurable impact on improving lives in low-income countries.

DMI has a permanent presence in Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Tanzania and also currently works in Mauritania, Uganda, and Zambia. DMI’s headquarters overlooks the Regents Canal near Kings Cross in London and provides the strategic direction for the whole organisation.

DMI is ranked as one of the most cost-effective non-profit organisations in the world by  The Life You Can Save.

Find out more on our website.

Job description

DMI has been established in Zambia since 2019 and works in close partnership with the Ministry of Health to deliver campaigns in support of government priorities. To date we have run national radio, TV and social media campaigns and have delivered discreet pilot and research projects addressing a range of issues including modern contraceptive uptake, Covid-19 prevention and vaccination, and mental health. Over the next two years DMI will be running an ambitious national radio campaign addressing reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, piloting a project evaluating the impact of an SBC radio campaign on reading glasses uptake, and pursuing several new funding opportunities in our pipeline.

The Zambia office is a small team comprising six staff covering all DMI’s core specialisms including strategy, operations, research, production and campaign management. The Production Technician will play a critical role within the team, overseeing the casting, recording, post-production and quality control of all of DMI Zambia’s creative outputs, to ensure DMI’s campaigns achieve the greatest impact possible. Key working relationships include the Senior Programme Manager, DMI’s UK-based Creative team, and DMI’s roster of script writers, voice actors, and external studios.

More specifically, the Production Technician role will include the following responsibilities:

Planning, organising and executing all production activities relating to DMI Zambia projects, working closely with the Senior Programme Manager at DMI Zambia and UK-based technical teams.
Overseeing the recording, editing and post-production of high-quality audio files for broadcast. This may involve direct recording, editing and post-production using in-house equipment or working with externally contracted studios.
Casting, coordination, rehearsal, and direction of voice actors.
Working closely with DMI’s UK-based technical staff to help them understand the local context and ensure that all campaign materials accurately represent local culture.
Organisation and knowledge management of production records and files, including draft and final scripts and audio files, production log.
Management and maintenance of production equipment.
Other tasks as required.
Person specification

Required knowledge, skills and experience

Minimum three years of relevant professional experience in drama or narrative production (radio broadcast, journalism or documentary) as a sound engineer with experience working in local language production.
Excellent organisational skills with the capacity to work with detailed production plans and meet deadlines.
High quality production skills, including recording and post-production.
Strong attention to detail, able to record and implement changes accurately and manage version control across multiple languages of production simultaneously.
Good analytical skills and ability to present and report findings verbally and in writing.
Tertiary level education (collage diploma or degree), ideally in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.
Fluent English (written and spoken), proficient in at least one other Zambian language.
Desirable knowledge, skills and experience

Experience dubbing audio for audiovisual content.
Relevant professional qualification in a related field.
Previous experience working for NGOs.
Experience developing detailed production plans for complex projects.
DMI is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

DMI operates a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and is committed to the protection and safeguarding of vulnerable individuals. Where appropriate, successful candidates will undergo background and reference checks. All DMI employees will be required to self-declare prior issues of sexual or other misconduct, termination of past employment, criminal records, and concerns registered with government authorities regarding contact with children.