Communications and Advocacy Officer

Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe. Location: Harare. Reports to: Programmes Coordinator.

Summary

The Communications and Advocacy Officer leads and coordinates PELUM Zimbabwe's internal and external communications and advocacy efforts, strengthening the organisation's visibility, credibility and influence. The role translates programme evidence, grassroots experiences, farmer voices and organisational learning into strategically crafted communications that inform public discourse, engage stakeholders and contribute to policy and practice change.

The role supports the development and implementation of integrated communications and advocacy strategies, ensuring that PELUM Zimbabwe's programmes, campaigns, research, policy positions and knowledge products are effectively communicated to policymakers, development partners, network members, civil society and the wider public. The role strengthens evidence-based advocacy by documenting and amplifying community experiences and lessons from PELUM Zimbabwe's work on agroecology.

The Communications and Advocacy Officer is also responsible for strengthening PELUM Zimbabwe's brand, ensuring consistent messaging and maintaining a strong and credible organisational identity across communication platforms. The role promotes knowledge sharing and learning across the PELUM network and supports coordinated advocacy and communications among members. Additionally, the role fosters effective internal communication and collaboration, ensuring that the programmes team, network members and partners have the information and communication support required to advance organisational priorities.

A. Communications strategy, planning and advocacy

• Develop, implement and periodically review PELUM Zimbabwe's Communications and Advocacy Strategy in line with the organisation's Strategic Plan and advocacy priorities.
• Develop and implement appropriate communication and advocacy plans that support programme objectives, advocacy goals and policy influence.
• Integrate advocacy messages, policy narratives and programme evidence across all communication products and platforms.
• Lead the planning, coordination and implementation of campaigns and visibility initiatives, including the Annual National and Decentralised Seed and Food Festivals, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and advocacy priorities.
• Maintain a calendar of key national, regional and international events and policy moments to align communications and advocacy efforts.
• Work closely with the programmes team to ensure that advocacy and communications are integrated into programme planning and implementation.

B. Participatory action research, evidence and knowledge management

• Plan, coordinate, implement and report on PELUM Zimbabwe's Participatory Action Research (PAR) work.
• Document community knowledge, innovations and lessons emerging from programmes and PAR processes for communications, learning and advocacy purposes.
• Collect and package evidence appropriately, including stories of change, case studies and policy briefs.
• Facilitate feedback loops to ensure research findings inform advocacy messaging, programme adaptation and organisational learning.
• Maintain an organisational knowledge management system, including online databases and digital workspaces.

C. Content development, media and brand management

• Develop and maintain an up-to-date website and social media pages.
• Generate, curate and manage high-quality content for the website, social media platforms and digital channels, ensuring alignment with advocacy objectives and organisational branding.
• Track and communicate organisational activities across platforms before, during and after events.
• Coordinate the development and design of monthly newsletters, institutional reports and other publications that reinforce advocacy and brand identity.
• Lead the development and consistent use of branding, publicity and awareness materials.
• Establish and manage systems for collecting and archiving multimedia content for communications and advocacy purposes.
• Identify and leverage networks, platforms and formats to broaden audience reach and influence.

D. Stakeholder engagement, media relations and events

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with journalists, media houses, civil society actors and other key stakeholders to amplify advocacy messages.
• Develop press briefs, media kits, talking points and activity-based press releases.
• Support stakeholder engagement and consultation processes, ensuring effective two-way communication and feedback.
• Lead and coordinate communication aspects of organisational campaigns and public events.
• Coordinate organisational virtual and physical meetings, workshops and public engagements.
• Maintain records of media coverage, publicity and stakeholder engagements.

E. Team cohesion, organisational culture and collaboration

• Promote a positive organisational culture that encourages teamwork, collaboration and shared accountability.
• Support team members and partners in adopting consistent branding, messaging and communications approaches.
• Mentor or guide colleagues, interns or implementing partners on communications and advocacy best practices.

F. Resource mobilisation and external relations

• Support fundraising by developing communication materials and evidence-based content for donor engagement.
• Maintain databases of current and prospective funders and partners.
• Track relevant calls for proposals and support proposal development through content development.
• Link communications outputs and programme evidence to donor reporting and visibility requirements.

G. Internal coordination and organisational support

• Participate actively in organisational meetings, planning processes and working groups.
• Participate in quarterly performance reviews and annual performance appraisals.
• Share information and updates through organisational information management systems.
• Attend other office issues when the situation calls for and according to PELUM Zimbabwe's policies, rules and regulations.
• Carry out additional responsibilities as assigned by the Programmes Coordinator and Country Coordinator in alignment with PELUM Zimbabwe's objectives.

Critical attributes and skills

• Proficiency in MS Office, Adobe InDesign, Canva, CorelDRAW, video editing and related software is critical.
• Article writing, graphics design, videography and photography skills are essential.
• Superior ability to write in a journalistic style that is customary for corporate and external publications.
• Young, energetic and keen to learn and grow with the organisation.
• Versatile, down to earth, highly organised, giving attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal (public speaking) and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong command of both Shona and Ndebele is desirable.
• Ability to coordinate efforts of various teams in order to present a coherent message.
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines with limited supervision.

Role requirements

• Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related field.
• Additional related certificates or qualifications in Public Relations, Journalism or Communications are an added advantage.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in advocacy and communications, preferably within the non-profit sector.
• Knowledge and familiarity with agroecology and farmers' rights is highly desirable.

How to apply: email your application to [email protected], addressed to 'The Country Coordinator'. It should comprise a Curriculum Vitae of not more than 3 pages, a 1-page cover letter highlighting why you are the best candidate for the post, and a portfolio of previous relevant work. Application due date: 23 October 2026 before 12 noon. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.