Head Strategic Partnerships and Communication Mary’s Meals Zambia

Mary’s Meals is a fast-growing international charity, currently providing a daily meal to two million hungry and impoverished children across four continents in their place of education. Mary’s Meals Zambia delivers school feeding to children in the Eastern Province of Zambia.

Working at Mary’s Meals International

Our mission, vision, and values are at the very heart of everything we do here at Mary’s Meals and working for Mary’s Meals International is so much more than a career opportunity, we offer the opportunity to support our global movement in a dynamic, flexible and inclusive environment with a real focus on personal and professional development. We believe in the innate goodness of people, respect the dignity of every human being and family life and believe in good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. In line with our values, Mary’s Meals is fully committed to a culture of safeguarding.

Mary’s Meals Zambia is currently recruiting for the role of Head Strategic Partnerships  and Communication.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Development and implementation of strategic partnerships, communications, and media strategies within the relevant Programme Affiliate country. Leading on the identification and implementation of key strategic partnerships, campaigns, and communications. He/she will oversee all external communications activities and lead in developing effective strategies to engage the wider public. He/she will support Programmes in securing and maximizing public sector engagement and visibility.

REPORTS TO:  Country Director (Dotted line to Director of Strategic Partnerships & Director of Communications)

STATION:  Chipata, Zambia

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development/revision and implementation of the Strategic Partnerships and Communications Strategy that aligns directly with the country strategic plan and the MMI global strategy.
• Supporting programme delivery and development teams to effectively deliver advocacy and campaign activities within programme areas.
• Leading the development and implementation of the in-country strategic partnerships and communications plan.
•  Developing relationships with national media and creating engaging materials to communicate our work to a wide range of audiences.
• Leading internal communications to build awareness and cohesion among country staff.
• Lead and coordinate the delivery of national campaign initiatives for visibility and resource mobilisation, maximising impact of key national events.
• Collaborating with local programmes teams in content collection opportunities for localised campaigns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject; social sciences, human rights, international development, international relations, journalism or communications. A relevant post graduate degree would be beneficial.

Skills and Experience

•   Demonstrable experience in policy analysis and influencing with partners, government, other NGOs, and other stakeholders.
• Experience in implementing strategic advocacy initiatives aimed at bringing changes in these areas.
• Excellent influencing skills, with the ability to deal with people at all levels with credibility, tact, and diplomacy.
• A proven track record in building capacity and developing and leading high performing teams.
• Demonstrable experience of developing, leading and executing complex communications projects, including crisis communications.
• Robust experience of researching, identifying, and securing corporate partnership opportunities with the ability to secure buy in and commitment to our mission and vision.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, and an ability to produce high quality documents, proposals and information to effectively engage with a variety of audiences.
• Experience of developing and implementing digital and social media communications strategies.
• Excellent IT skills, including all MS office packages. Experience of utilising graphic design software would be beneficial.
• Strong photography and video production skills would be beneficial.

If you are inspired to join our movement and our vision, mission and values resonate with you, we would love to hear from you, as we turn our aspiration into action, to reach the next child waiting for Mary’s Meals.