Communications Specialist

Company Profile

SoCha LLC is an independent professional services and consulting firm that provides bespoke localization services to clients working in international development.  We are a US-registered, veteran-owned small business with a headquarters in Mauritius and projects in Africa and Asia.  SoCha is a subcontractor to EnCompass on the USAID/Zambia MEL Platform activity.

Background

The USAID/Zambia MEL Platform will provide USAID/Zambia, implementing partners (IPs), and local country stakeholders with demand-driven performance monitoring and evaluation technical assistance, analytical services, and logistical support services to ultimately improve and ease Mission burden to engage, analyze and communicate the impact of USAID programming in Zambia. The activity includes a Learning Hub that will help USAID/Zambia disseminate and mainstream data-driven evidence, expand CLA opportunities among USAID and its IPs, and enhance local engagement through an easily accessible, collaborative, and supportive environment that fosters innovation.

The position will be full-time and be based in Lusaka, Zambia with travel throughout the country. The Communications Specialist reports to the Chief of Party. Only citizens and residents of Zambia will be considered.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

The Communications Specialist will provide development outreach and communications (DOC) support to USAID/Zambia over the life of The MEL Platform:

• Developing and managing communications plans and strategies to achieve specific goals, such as increasing awareness of USAID impact in Zambia, promoting key USAID Activity achievements in Zambia, promoting USAID and partner generated data and evidence
• In close coordination with the USAID Zambia Mission, developing compelling communications and knowledge products that present USAID/Zambia’s development impact by extracting strategic insights from reports and datasets.
• In close coordination with the USAID Zambia Mission, developing Mission Wide USAID specific communications material and content such as Activity, Provincial, Thematic Fact Sheets, Success Stories, Learning Lab Blog Posts.
• Producing key external communications products (activity fact sheet, success stories, newsletters, etc.) for the USAID Zambia MEL Platform specifically.
• Managing and curating engaging social media content across platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to achieve awareness, audience growth, and community engagement.
• At the direction of USAID Zambia, engaging IPs to collect, curate, and share their photographs, videos, social media content, maps, success stories, and other content.
• Supporting the Mission’s DOC Office to create summary videos that reinforce the Mission’s priority messages.
• Managing video, audio, web design and photography subcontracts.
• Overseeing two staff responsible for geographic information system (GIS) mapping and information management .

Position Requirements

Required Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field. (or) Proven experience in a similar role demonstrating the following skills.

Experience and Skills

• 5+ years of work experience in communications, public relations, or journalism or international development with at least two or more years of experience with external communications.
• Previous hands-on experience producing communications content for senior decision-makers.
• Previous experience in drafting and creating communications strategies.
• Proven ability to manage professional social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram), including creating engaging content, scheduling posts, and monitoring post achievements sentiment.
• Exceptional English written and verbal communication skills with a keen attention to detail and the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences.
• Experience using graphics, design, and layout software like In Design.
• Experience storyboarding videos and overseeing their production.
• Experience with public relations and writing press releases preferred; and
• Knowledge of USAID or US Department of State highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills required.

Applications will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application quickly as candidates will be reviewed on a rolling basis.