Communications Officer Development Aid from People to People (DAPP)

Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) is inviting suitably qualified and experienced persons to apply for the position of Communications Officer.

ABOUT DAPP

Founded in 1986 as a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation, DAPP Zambia creates development together with the people, through running community based and people centred projects.

DAPP’s mission is to create development in communities together with the people by sharing necessary skills, knowledge and tools to fight poverty, illiteracy and disease. DAPP has a long- term vision of seeing a Zambia where people live equitably, free from poverty and injustice, with access to health and education, in a nation that protects and develops natural resources to sustain them.

DAPP works shoulder to shoulder with people in urban and rural communities in the following thematic areas: Health, education, agriculture, climate change mitigation and adaptation, environment, human rights and community development. DAPP has an income generating leg through selling second hand clothes.

DAPP is currently working in 78 districts situated in all 10 provinces of Zambia reaching about 1 million people with direct interventions.  DAPP is a Member of the International Humana People to People Movement.

The position is based at the DAPP Partnership Office in Lusaka with frequent travel to project sites.

Job summary/ responsibilities:

• Participate in the design, formulation, management, execution, monitoring and evaluation of a communications strategy
• Identify and develop content for proactive media stories for the organisation.
• Work with programme leads to identify case studies/ success stories and other content for media.
• Contribute to the content and design of DAPP’s communication, visibility and promotion materials such as flyers, newsletters, posters and similar
• Develop relationships with local/national/regional/international media outlets and journalists in order to increase the DAPP visibility as well as participation in the debates related to DAPPs key messages.
• Ensure consistent language and messaging across all DAPP’s output and communication channels.
• Draft press releases and other media materials on behalf of DAPP.
• Contribute to DAPPs social media output, including gathering content and provision of messaging
• Develop radio broadcasts / pod casts as well as videos for TV and social Media.
• Deliver training on communications to employees as necessary
• Report on communication activities and impact to senior leadership

Key skills and education:

• A Degree or Diploma in Communications, Journalism or Public Relations
• Creative ability to develop communication strategies
• Creative skills in design and layout.
• Familiarity with latest professional video, audio and publication software
• Proficient camera handling skills
• Ability for professional handling of social media tools including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, blogs, and email.
• Excellent story writing skills with the ability to synthesize, understand and communicate complex issues effectively and in a timely fashion.
• The journalistic ability to source stories from the DAPP interventions through staff, partners and beneficiaries.
• Excellent writing, oral communication, editing and proofreading skills.
• Excellent diplomacy skills and proven network of relations with various media institutions.
• Good interpersonal and relation building skills. Possess confidence to deal with senior executives.
• Ready to adapt to organisational tasks and procedures
• Willing to travel to project sites in all districts of operations.

Relevant experiences:

• At least three years’ experience in similar position.
• Experience working in a communications team.
• Experience in drafting and implementing a Communications Plan in the Non-profit sector.
• Experience in producing communication materials for a variety of different audiences.
• Prior experience in providing capacity building in communication techniques and public relations work.