Communication Specialist
Media, Pr & Communication, Graphic Design Jobs
Job Description
Position: Communication Specialist
Duty station: Harare Cordaid Office
Reporting to: Team Leader
Introduction
The Government of Zimbabwe has received funding for the Zimbabwe Health Sector Development Support Project from the Global Financing Facility through the World Bank administered Health Sector Development Support Project Additional Financing V. The objective of the project is to improve coverage and quality of an integrated package of RMNCAH-N services, as well as strengthen COVID-19 response and institutional capacity to manage performance-based contracts consistent with the Recipients’ ongoing health initiatives. CORDAID is the Project Implementing Entity.
The project will expand the RBF package of services to cover prioritized RMNCAH-N and other related services to respond to Zimbabwe’s burden of disease while also reconfiguring the RBF approach to appropriately respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to continuing to support institutionalization of the Rural RBF programme, the project will support central hospitals and provincial hospitals through quality focused RBF, pilot extended supply side of community RBF through community based health workers, scale up the pilot urban RBF to additional remaining facilities in the two urban cities i.e. Harare and Bulawayo and provide TA in assessing introduce feasibility of introducing health equity card given fiscal context and available resources. The project will also support the Government’s COVID emergency response and further strengthen institutional capacity through implementation of selected health financing reforms.
Purpose of the position
The Communication Specialist will be responsible for internal and external communication and learning through documenting and disseminating data, evidence, and promising practices and key lessons from programming, with a focus on packaging this information to Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), the World Bank and other stakeholders.
Reporting Structure and Supervision Responsibility
The communication specialist will directly report to the Team leader. S/he will work closely with the operation research officer.
Duties and Responsibilities
Key responsibilities and accountabilities
• Develop, maintain, and update the advocacy and communication strategy and associated work plan for AFV including COVID-19 response.
• Maintain close collaboration with MOHCC Public Relations and Health Promotion Units for effective overall coordination
• Promote a better understanding of, respect and support for RBF including Institutionalization and Covid-19 Response issues by carrying out media, information, and education activities
• Develop and disseminate regular project updates to relevant key stakeholders, including success stories, and other communications materials
• Ensure rapid and accurate information dissemination to the media, National RBF Steering Committees, MoHCC, donors, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), the field and other appropriate audiences
• Participate in advocacy activities by planning visits of MOHCC, World Bank and other stakeholders including preparing information materials and necessary logistic arrangements.
• Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials and share results and findings
• Help establish, document, review and refine process of working collaboratively with partners, including meetings, joint projects, information sharing etc.
• Ensure or enhance the quality, consistency and appropriateness of country-specific communication materials, activities, processes, and messages shared with partners
• In close collaboration with the Health Promotion Department, develop communication materials for various channels including Interpersonal Communication materials
• Conduct timely and accurate monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure the communications objectives are met and the strategy is effective
• Undertake lessons learned review of successful and unsuccessful communication experiences and share observations/findings
• Support the capacity development of MOHCC through appropriate advocacy and communication training at all levels to improve packaging of programmatic outcomes and disseminating information through health matters bulletin and other platforms to donor and other stakeholders, as well as documentation of sound practices and achievements of the project. This will also involve adoption and use of modern communication toolkits that meet high quality standards for communicating project performance including digital newsletters, flyers, infographics and standard reports.
• Contribute to the preparation of quarterly, biannual, and Annual reports, providing quality assurance on clarity and reader-friendliness
• Advise CORDAID management, colleagues and staff on the communication strategy and stakeholder engagement plan.
• Support communication activities through knowledge management, information exchange and building capacity of the country communications team.
Selection Criteria
• The communication specialist shall be selected based on the Individual Consultant selection method of the World Bank’s regulations. Main criteria for the selection will be relevant work experience and qualifications
Key Performance Indicators
Stakeholder Engagement Plan: A program for stakeholder engagement, including public information disclosure and consultation, throughout the entire project cycle is in place.
Grievance Redress Mechanism: The MOHCC and Cordaid have in place a functional Grievance Redress Mechanism.
Communication strategy: CORDAID Zimbabwe has a clear communication strategy-aligned to MOHCC and associated work plan to get RMNCAH-N and Covid-19 response issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of RBF and enhance Cordaid’s mission and objectives, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand;
Media relations: CORDAID has a well-structured media hub integrated with the MOHCC`s Public relations Unit with well-developed contact list of journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web, photo etc. – and a successful process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with the media to communicate the story of the project`s cooperation;
Networking and partnerships: CORDAID has a well maintained and continually developed contact list of individuals, groups, organizations, and fora whose support is essential to/can assist in achieving the advocacy and communication objectives. Effective working relationships with the other stakeholders in the RMNCHAH-N and Family Health Department of the MOHCC and other key MOHCC structures are developed, maintained, and enhanced
Communication Materials Development: CORDAID in close collaboration with the MOHCC’s Health Promotion Unit has developed and disseminated approved communication materials for the whole scope of AFV for effective Social Behavioural Change and Communication (SBCC) activities.
Information Communication: specific websites and all platforms communicating project related information are updated throughout the project cycle
Monitoring and evaluation: Communication and Stakeholder engagement baselines are established against which the achievement of objectives of the communication strategy are regularly evaluated; analysis is undertaken to continuously improve the effectiveness of communication strategy and activities; results and reports including success stories are prepared and shared;
Capacity building and support: CORDAID is recognized as a significant partner to the MOHCC in terms of communication, community engagement and social safeguards. The project is provided with professional expertise and advice on all aspects of external relations communication as required.
Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications and competencies
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies and/or health promotion or related fields. MA in communication or related fields and/or MPH would be a plus
• At least 3 years’ experience of producing high quality information, education, and communications materials, including posters, brochures on heath related issues. Having experience of producing newsletters, press releases and bulletins would be a plus.
• At least 4 years’ experience working as communication specialist and/or health promotion officer within MoHCC and/or at an International NGO setting within the health sector.
• Demonstrable experience in engaging diverse stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and international donors
• A working knowledge of MOHCC communication systems
• Computer literate and proficiency in Micro-Soft Office packages.
• Knowledge of other communication tools and publishing and/or editing software would be an added advantage
Duration of Service
• The Communications Specialist will be contracted up to 31 December 2020 with possible contract renewal depending on performance and available project funding.
Facilities to be Provided by CORDAID
CORDAID shall provide following facilities to consultant during her/his tenure of services:
• Office space with furniture and computer
• Email and internet access
• Required office stationeries
• Photocopying, printing, and scanning facilities
How to Apply
Qualified and experienced persons are encouraged to urgently apply and attach detailed CVs to: HR.Zimbabwe@cordaid.org and copy Noah.Kanjanda@cordaid.org
Deadline: 19 July 2020
