Communications and Business Development Officer Hydrangea Enterprises Limited

Hydrangea Enterprises Limited (HYEL) is a private limited company whose business ventures include the provision of bespoke technical and advisory services to development organisations as well as public and private sector entities. HYEL is in the process of recruiting a Communications and Business Development Officer for its Zambia office who, among others, will be required to lead on the tasks below.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Communications and Business Development Officer will be responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies, creating and maintaining HYEL’s branding guide and manual, and enhancing the organization’s digital presence. The role will also involve resource mobilisation, supporting SMEs/clients with branding strategies and funding proposals, and leading the development of communication materials for various HYEL initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive HYEL branding guide and manual, ensuring consistency across all communication platforms;
• Update and manage HYEL’s website to reflect current projects, news, and organisational goals;
• Assist SMEs/clients in developing branding strategies to strengthen their market positioning and growth potential;
• Provide SMEs with support in preparing strong funding proposals, aligning them with market opportunities and business objectives;
• Organise events, workshops, and networking opportunities to build partnerships and promote HYEL’s initiatives;
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends to ensure HYEL’s communication strategies remain innovative and impactful;
• Lead the development and implementation of communication communications materials, plans, strategies, and activities for HYEL initiatives in collaboration with clients and cooperating partners;
• Produce communication information, materials and products including but not limited to articles, mobile messaging, fact sheets, case studies, press releases, success stories, photos, videos, social media posts, presentations, and web site content;
• Coordinate and organise project events leveraging local and international media relationships (if needed and approved);
• Preparing and overseeing interviews for different mediums; developing messaging; drafting, editing, and tracking briefing check lists (BCLs); drafting speeches, talking points and press releases;
• Supervise third-party communication support services contracts for example media monitoring, photography and videography, translation/ interpretation services, graphic design, and printing;
• Manage and develop content for HYEL social media accounts;
• Ensure compliance with client/ donor branding and marking policies, as well as other communication guidelines;
• Support HYEL programming such as road shows, workshops, meetings, and other events;
• Organise and facilitate public outreach and awareness raising to communicate programme progress and impact;
• Support the development of HYEL programme strategies, campaigns, activities and materials in with the different project Leads;
• Collaborate with cross-cutting staff to produce, edit and disseminate internal and external communication materials (e.g. success stories, and lessons learned from projects) that contribute to HYEL’s adaptive management approach;
• Provide communication training to project staff, partners, and grantees, as needed;
• Cultivate both local and national media relationships;
• Contribute to the development and drafting of project work plans and reports (annual, quarterly, technical etc.), as needed. This includes assisting in the generation of reports, data tables, graphics, maps, and other visual tools/aids that support program activities and results, as needed;
• Produce professional quality photographs and videos of all ongoing core program field activities to support internal communications, marketing, and business development work, while adhering to any content release requirements; and,
• Support staff and partners in developing activity-level strategic communications and branding and implementation plans, and building their capacity in writing, photography, and videography.

Business Development:

• Support HYEL’s resource mobilisation efforts by identifying funding opportunities and leading proposal development;
• Support SME’s, cooperatives and other entities that HYEL supports to mobilise resources;
• Identify relevant upcoming funding opportunities, track grant forecasts, and use resources to advance intelligence gathering;
• Manage pre-solicitation proposal preparations and bid planning; lead pre-design meetings and drafting sections of the proposal in advance of the solicitation; coordinate and facilitate design workshops;
• Support field teams to collect relevant country and technical area information that inform design of bids/ proposals;
• Lead the coordination and development of high-quality proposals from initial development to grant submissions; manage partners’ inputs to the cost application;
• Manage the proposal review process and check for budget alignment, responsiveness, and compliance with donor guidelines;
• Build effective working relationships with partners on proposal bids; support the management of consultants recruited to support proposal development; and,
• Perform other duties as directed and/ or delegated by supervisors.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, AND COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Media Studies, Public Relations, or a related field. An additional postgraduate and/ or professional qualification such as a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, MBA, and photography, will be an added advantage;
• Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience in communications, business development, years of experience in communication, journalism, broadcast production, public relations or related field;
• Demonstrated experience in developing branding strategies and guides;
• Strong knowledge of social media management, website content management, and digital marketing;
• Demonstrated ability to manage project communications and produce written content highlighting project progress, successes, and impact for local, regional, and global audiences;
• Must have at least two (2) years’ experience in project communications, preferably for donor funded projects (such as USAID, EU, DFID, etc.) including knowledge of branding and marking requirements required;
• Demonstrated experience engaging with local and international media;
• At least two (2) years of experience in development/ programme funding position(s) involving proposal development and donor liaison;
• Experience in developing successful proposals and/or tender bids to Institutional Donors, Foundations, and Private Funders;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) required, with working knowledge of other editing software (Adobe, Microsoft Publisher etc.) preferred;
• Proficiency in developing and maintaining social media platforms required;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail;
• Experience in resource mobilization and proposal development, particularly for SMEs, is highly desirable; and,
• Willingness to travel to project sites and work in rural settings.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience in proposal writing and resource mobilisation;
• Well-developed and effective organisational skills, including the ability to multi-task and work in a high-pressure environment;
• Previous direct supervisory experience of professional and/or support staff;
• Able to articulate, professionally and communicate in a clear, positive manner;
• Preference will be given to a candidate who has experience working in multicultural and multinational research and project teams;
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills in English; and,
• Fluency in other local languages in Zambia will be an added advantage.