Job Description
This position is designed to increase impact of advocacy initiatives and visibility of WVZ within the Partnership and the nation. Positive media coverage, engagement with individual and institutional donors and production of communications and advocacy products will be the ultimate responsibility of this key leadership role. The Advocacy & Communications Team Leader will provide leadership in the implementation of advocacy initiatives and production of communications that contribute to WVZ’s National Office Strategy. The role directly supports the National Director in providing excellent internal and external communications. She/he leads and manages formulation and implementation of a comprehensive advocacy and communications strategy.
Duties and Responsibilities
ADVOCACY
Strategic leadership
Develop and implement a national Advocacy and Communications strategy as a framework for advocacy initiatives in Zimbabwe.
Be the Focal Point person and primary liaison with the Regional Office and Zimbabwean Government in the area of on Advocacy Issues. (This will include analysis, lobbying and campaigning).
Build relationships with the media in order to protect the image of World Vision Zimbabwe.
Ensure that advocacy is mainstreamed into all areas of World Vision programming including emergency responses and child sponsorship.
Lead assessment and research activities to gather information and analysis that would inform policy and advocacy briefing documents, assessment reports, and research papers.
Resource Development and cross-sector collaboration
Explore potential funding sources for advocacy work and WV campaigns.
Work with the Support Office, Regional Advocacy & campaigns, and other regional ministry functions to ensure that grants and other specially funded initiatives incorporate advocacy and EVAC campaign elements.
Provide support in the development of multi-country proposals.
Act as a focal point person for external and media engagement on child protection and gender issues, which may require profiling and advocacy interventions In times of emergency responses, support messaging and policy briefs in collaboration with the region
Networking and Liaison
Participate in the Partnership Advocacy Response Group for Southern Africa Region.
Liaise with WV Support Offices, Regional Offices, and WV International staff to coordinate advocacy activities and messaging on Zimbabwe.
Coordinate with other agencies carrying out advocacy initiatives in Zimbabwe, to open opportunities for World Vision to collaborate with other agencies in this area of advocacy.
Gender advocacy
Ensure National Office Gender strategy is developed, shared, implemented and evaluated accordingly.
Enhance networks and partnership with Church and other faith-based institutions, Regional and National NGOs, OAU, UN Agencies, The World Bank and other foundations on issues related to gender equality mainstreaming and justice.
Provide management oversight to new initiatives in the area of Gender and Development to ensure that there is synergy, appropriate approaches are adopted, the required resources are available and competent staff is hired for those initiatives.
COMMUNICATIONS
Ensure the development and implementation of a strategy/plan based on World Vision’s five communications focus areas:
Donor/Public Engagement Communications:
Lead a team to be able to produce writing, video, photography, packaged feature stories and issues-oriented reports primarily focused on families and children in communities in Zimbabwe, which can be utilized for web-based, electronic and print materials that ensure effective donor and public engagement.
Support development of WV Zimbabwe publications including the Annual Report
Media Communications:
Develop a plan that will increase World Vision’s profile in the country through the media
Be the point person for all media risk issues in Zimbabwe and work with regional and global teams whenever a crisis arises
Build the capacity of World Vision’s leaders and staff ability to deal with the media and ensure that there are spokespersons within the organisation on various issues.
Advocacy Communications:
Develop communications plans for various advocacy projects in order to raise the profile of their work among internal and external audiences
Support advocacy unit in defining key issues, messaging, and identifying appropriate communications channels for public advocacy initiatives.
Support advocacy campaigns by engaging the media to gain exposure and credibility, and increase public discussion and fundraising.
Emergency Communications
Plan and manage communications in response to emergency disaster/relief situations, ensuring that the WV Partnership is provided with quality situation reports, stories, video photos and media interviews from the field.
Ensure the WV Zimbabwe website is managed and updated regular during the emergency period.
Internal Communications
Develop an internal communications plan to ensure staff across WV Zimbabwe and the partnership at large are informed and engaged with the organisation’s work.
Establish systems and safeguards for the appropriate and effective flows of relevant information to and from WV Zimbabwe.
EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT
Strong experience representing an organisation at high-level national, regional, and global platforms.
Building strategic partnerships with:
The Private Sector
UN agencies
Civil society coalitions
Faith-based organisations
Regional actors (e.g., SADC, AU-affiliated bodies)
Media houses and influential journalists
TEAM LEADERSHIP
Training, Capacity Building and Organizational Leadership
Lead, manage, & mentor staff of the Advocacy & Communications team, ensuring goals and objectives are implemented effectively.
Build team capabilities to make the communications department a centre of excellency for strategic communications.
Develop and monitor the departmental budget.
Assess and develop the skills of the staff in the department, as well as facilitate their professional growth.
Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Law, International Relations/Communications, Journalism, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Economics or related field. Master’s Degree will be preferred.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in Project Management and international development in a leadership role.
Experience in production of a wide array of high level communication materials.
Demonstrated ability and experience in strategic-level engagement and building collaborative relationships with government, donors, media and peer agencies
Ability to communicate fluently in English, and as well as cross-cultural
NOTE: Include a portfolio of publications and videos of published works or such (share links where possible).
Knowledge Requirements
A solid understanding of:
National level advocacy, organisational advocacy strategies and the Zimbabwean policy landscape
Government structures and decision-making processes.
Child rights and protection issues.
Humanitarian systems and global development frameworks.
Global advocacy priorities.
Familiarity with donor expectations, branding protocols, and external engagement standards.
Technical Skills Required
Advanced writing, editing, and content development (stories, policy papers, reports).
Digital communications: social media, online campaigns, storytelling tools, and web content development.
Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) for advocacy and communications impact.
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