Information and Communication Officer – Pakachere Institute of Health and Development Communication

Job Description

Pakachere Institute of Health and Development Communication is one of the leading local health and development communication NGO in Malawi. Pakachere exists to empower Malawians, particularly the vulnerable, to choose and sustain healthy behaviours, through service delivery, evidence-based health and development communication, community mobilization, advocacy and networking. Pakachere invites suitably qualified candidates to fill the following position:

Position: Information and Communication Officer
Reporting to: Executive Director
Key relationship : All Project Leads
Salary: Competitive consummate with experience and Professional attainment
Working hours : 40 hours
Contract: Full time, 1 year contract – renewable
Location: Blantyre
Grade: C1

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Information and Communication Officer will be responsible for ensuring that the internal and external Pakachere IHDC communication are in line with the vision, mission and branding of the organization. S/he will work closely with Project Leads to leverage Pakachere programs successes and operations by positioning Pakachere IHDC and all projects as a lead source of information. The Information and Communication Officer will work closely with doner representatives to support the provision of excellent information and communications on our projects for both intemal and external audiences. She will work with all project staff in the organization to prepare for communications needs for donors and help raise visibility through rolling out updated communications toolkits and creating plans to overcome gaps in communications capacity. The Information and Communication Officer will monitor the communication implementation strategies expected by all donors. The Information and Communication officer will regularly be in touch with all Pakachere IHDC project leads and Leadership committee. The physical location for this position is Blantyre.

Main Responsibilities

• Manage the company’s or organization’s social media communications including creation of interactive social media contents and campaigns.
• Support in the development and preparation of communication materials, fact sheets, brochures, newsletters and other publications for the organization.
• Write, edit, and distribute content, including publications, press releases, website content, annual reports, speeches, and other marketing material that communicates the organization’s activities, products and/or services.
• Produce content and script for educational and marketing videos.
• Write company announcements and news articles on key developments.
• Ensure all content complies with company standards and style guides.
• Develop, edit and disseminate case studies and success stories and maximize their use for all projects and maintain a database of available success stories from the countries.
• Support the development, editing, production and formatting of all projects quarterly and annual reports and profiles.
• Participate in communication planning and briefings as well as implementation.
• Work closely with the program teams on the design and production of campaign materials for maximum impact.
• Ensure all information for external use presents accurate information and appropriate
• images and does not put donors at risk.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with journalists and maintain a media database.
• Seek opportunities to enhance the reputation of the organization, and coordinate publicity events as required.
• Proficiency in design and publishing software.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Degree in relevant field such as Mass Media communication, Journalism, Social Sciences or any relevant studies.
• At least 4 years’ experience in a similar role or in media and communication position.
• Proven experience of developing and managing the production of communications materials for NGOs or other similar organisations.
• Ability to produce accurate, clear and consistent information and communication outputs relating to both programme support – including key messages, Q&A’s and factsheets, case studies, press releases, media statements, briefs amongst others.
• Evidence of excellent English verbal and written communication skills for a wide range of different audiences including donors, joumalists and the ‘general public. Ability to strategically target a wide range of audiences is essential.
• Knowledge in social media strategies and best industry practices
• Proven ability to work with communities and partners to gather case studies, testimonies and information on programmes and activities.
• An initiative-taking, proactive, inspiring attitude with the ability to manage and prioritise an unpredictable workload and solve problems quickly with limited support.
• Ability to draft materials, fact check, proofread, and edit.
• The ability to support the team in high-pressure situations, with changing deadlines and priorities
• Excellent media relations with an ability to flawlessly pitch stories to the media

Desirable

• Prior experience working with a busy NGO
• Photography (taking and editing) and graphic design skills. Experience with design and audio-visual software is an advantage.
• Experience of delivering training, presentations and other capacity building activities to varied audiences

Applications should contain a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and copies of academic certificates and be sent to the following address to be received on or before 5:00 pm Monday, 05th August 2024.

Applications must be sent to:

The Human Resource Manager
Pakachere Institute of Health and Development Communication,
Smythe Road, Opposite the Story Workshop, Old Goal Malawi Office Sunnyside,
P.O Box 30248,
Blantyre 3, Malawi
Email: pakacherevacancies@gmail.com