Communications and Liaison Specialist Peace Corps Zambia

PEACE CORPS/ZAMBIA

Communication And Liaison Specialist: VA- 12/2022

Peace Corps Zambia wishes to invite applications from suitably qualified persons to fill the position of Communications and Liaison Specialist.

Location : Lusaka

Starting Salary : ZMW 305,180.00/Annum

Work hours : Full-time; 40 hours/week

General Description

The Peace Corps Communications Specialist will work with the Country Director (CD), Director of Provincial Operations and Program Performance (DPOPP) and PC staff to create and deliver content across various media to tell the PC Zambia story. As Liaison Officer, facilitate communications with key stakeholders, manage VIP visits and major events, liaise with organizations requesting PCVs and advise staff and Volunteers on protocol and provide support to CD and USDH on external relations and other key partner outreach.

This position will also provide back-up support to the Management Support Officer/ Grants Coordinator.

Specific responsibilities and duties include:

Communications Specialist (65%)
External communications

Draft, edit, and disseminate public information materials to better communicate technical programming information to stakeholders including Annual Reports, fact sheets, informational packets, photo decks, and newsletters
Share Volunteer-authored success stories to serve as proof points for funding agencies, Peace Corps’ head office, U.S. Embassy, and U.S. Department of State and for the PC/Z Staff and Volunteer community
Develop key messages and talking points as requested for PC staff senior leaders in the U.S. Mission, including U.S. Ambassador to Zambia and the Global Director for Peace Corps for key agency initiatives
Review and edit press releases and talking points for Peace Corps events
Travel to participate in and document PCV and Post events, workshops, trainings as needed
Travel to volunteer sites to highlight PCV work, accomplishments and to share stories of PCV life and experience
Internal communications

Maintain database of PCV blog sites, including regular reviews for acceptability of posted content
Take, format, print, and store headshots of all volunteers and staff
Design, print PCV IDs
Act as staff liaison to the PCV newsletter submissions
Review all communications for content and acceptability
Collaborate with ITS to ensure constant updating of various address lists
Event Management

Manage documentation of Peace Corps events, including video, photos, and social media updates
Support U.S. Mission special events as requested—this has included ideation and implementation of mid-size events
Training Support

Lead training focusing on policies and ethics around social media sessions for Volunteers/Trainees
Throughout the life of the Volunteer collaborate with Programming and Training staff to train Volunteers in authoring success stories addressing work, life, small grants, etc.
Format training schedules and other materials including reports, brochures, biographies, posters, facility maps, etc.
Digital Storytelling and Documentation

Develop and maintain Peace Corps Zambia’s online presence including website and social media with daily content sourced from volunteers on the ground, stakeholders, and news outlets; this includes collecting and maintaining a photo library
Monitor local and international press coverage, awareness of, and attitudes towards Peace Corps programs to assess impact of agency interventions; notify leadership of problematic content
Media tracking and contacts

Monitor local media and establish contacts with media outlets and inform CD, DPOPP and other staff of news, events, activities relevant to PC
Develop working relationships with key media players in Lusaka and the provinces to better share information and facilitate coverage of PC/PCV related activities and events
Liaison Specialist (35%)
Public and Partner Relations

Respond to inquiries from the general public about Peace Corps programs and projects
Regularly meet with key communications point people from PEPFAR, U.S. Mission, and other stakeholders to update on upcoming events of note, share best practices, and brainstorm solutions to shared challenges when documenting the work of communities and Peace Corps Volunteers
External and VIP Visitor Coordination

Working closely with CD and DPOPP serve as control officer for external visitors as concerns the planning for and coordination of schedules, travel with all staff, volunteers and third parties (e.g. Embassy)
Serve also as control officer for the planning and coordination of schedules and travel related to US Ambassador and local other VIP visits to PCV sites of invitations to luncheons or other events with Ambassador or other VIP.
Facilitate participation of VIP invitees to PC events and track VIP participation at PCV activities or visits to PCV sites
Provide guidance to staff and PCVs on protocol related to events and communications
Liaise with USA Embassy protocol officer for key events, visitors
Major Event Coordination

With the programming and training assistant, co-lead planning for and execution of swearing-in ceremonies in coordination with CD, Training specialists, PCZ administrative team and external contacts
Manage media outreach, social media reporting and reporting/video presentations for PC Washington communications in addition to PCZ communications
Advise PCVs on event planning for community or provincial events
Draft CD or other USDH speeches/remarks as requested
External Partner outreach

Receive and facilitate requests for organizations and others for PCVs, notably extension PCVs and coordinate process in collaboration with CD, DPT and Program teams
Develop contacts in the broader Zambian development community and identify opportunities for coordination
Develop an outreach strategy to share PCZ activities, combing liaison and communications functions
Additional duties

Completes other duties as assigned including provide back-up support to the Management Support Officer/ Grants Coordinator. The Peace Corps environment is such that all staff members often assist in accomplishing tasks that may not be directly related to their primary role but help achieve the overall goals of Post.

Required Qualifications

To be selected for this position, the applicant must be legally eligible to work in Zambia, must not have been employed in intelligence-related activities, and must submit an application that clearly documents how they meet each of the following requirements:

BA or BSc degree in Communications, Public Relations, Media Studies, Journalism, or related field is required. A Master’s Degree in a related field will be an added advantage.
Minimum of three (3) years of communications (public relations, journalism, media, or related field) and event management professional experience with an international, multi-cultural organization working in community development or adult training is required. Experience working with a US government agency or contractor will be an added advantage.
Minimum of three (3) years professional experience with websites and any other aspect of a communications, media, marketing, or journalism effort to create and deliver important content to a diverse audience including social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Professional experience in photography and video will be an added advantage
Demonstrated knowledge in how to use various media to communicate important information to a diverse audience; social media outlets; basic publishing tools/applications; basic photography and video tools/practices; and communications and marketing.
Highly resourceful and creative, with strong interpersonal skills able to: a) research, write, develop, and publish content across different media, b) work independently in inter-cultural organization to meet important goals in a timely manner, c) communicate effectively with diverse colleagues.
English proficiency (reading and writing) is required.
Strong computer skills and experience using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, and Power Point.