Organization: Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA)

Country: Zimbabwe

About CNFA and Amalima Loko

CNFA is a US-based non-profit nongovernmental organization (NGO) that works to stimulate economic growth and improve rural livelihoods in the developing world through five core capabilities: (1) Productivity, Food Security and Nutrition; (2) Input Supply and Farm Services; (3) Economic Resilience and Rapid Recovery; (4) Value Chain Development; and (5) Volunteer Technical Assistance. Amalima Loko is a new USAID-funded 5-year program implemented by CNFA and 5 partner organizations which applies community-driven approaches to improve food security, nutrition, and natural resource management in over 80 communal wards in Matabeleland North.

Position Summary

CNFA is seeking qualified applicants with significant communications experience (preferably in USAID-funded programs) to serve as Communications Officer. S/he will work closely with the Amalima Loko Chief of Party and programs team. This position will play a vital role in capturing, documenting, and disseminating key results, stories, and lessons learned of the Amalima Loko program.

Location - Bulawayo (Matabeleland North)

Responsibilities

Develop, support and promote program goals, including message development, social media content creation, and media outreach.

Develop and disseminate public relations materials that increase visibility among the public and stakeholders.

Build and maintain relationships with journalists and public influencers who can help raise awareness of our work.

Provide technical support in editing, design, lay-out and presentation of communications materials including reports, presentations, posters/banners and audio/video.

Take photographs and record audio and video of program activities, support field staff in their ability to document activities (especially photography), lead collection and organization of photographs from field staff.

Develop communications workplan using inputs from program staff

Play a key role in the program support team which:

organizes events, including donor and GoZ stakeholder visits, media tours, participates in expos/conferences, stakeholder consultation meetings, Amalima Loko internal reflection meetings, and drafts accompanying Press Releases as appropriate;

develop targeted communications materials to inform Year 1 Refine and Implement (R&I) research study interviewees/participants/stakeholders about research objectives; collaborates with program team to develop R&I culmination workshop planning and communications materials

plans learning events and pulls together communication materials (photos, success stories, case studies, presentations) with programs staff; coordinates communications opportunities and events as they occur on an ad-hoc basis;

manages the Amalima Loko library of photographs and other communications items;

Tags economic growth food security graphic design journalism library natural resource management press releases public relations rural livelihoods value chain video production

writes one-paragraph monthly program updates for updates to USAID and CNFA HQ;

collaborates with field teams to identify and develop success stories.

Qualifications

At least a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field.

A minimum of two years' experience in communications strategy development, public relations, journalism, or marketing.

Excellent written English (including editing) and verbal communication skills.

Technical skills in photography and document/presentation design required, audio and/or video production and editing, graphic design skills strongly preferred.

Knowledge of and experience using social media as part of a communication strategy.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirement

Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Visio, and graphic design and photography software

Excellent critical thinking skills and the ability to exercise good judgment and solve problems quickly and effectively.

Excellent organizing skills; experience coordinating large events

Energetic, motivated, positive attitude, self-starter

Great attention to detail

Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with diverse audiences, including donors

Languages

Fluency in spoken and written English and local language is essential.

Qualified candidates especially women are encouraged to send their applications.