Communications Manager

DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and host-country governments.

Project Background:
The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Program is a cross-ministry and multi-donor program to reduce stunting in Zambia. The National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) implements SUN as part of the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) 1,000 Most Critical Days Program.  SUN 2.0, the second phase of the program, has three major components: (1) Pooled Multi-Donor SUN Fund, (2) SUN Technical Assistance (SUN TA), and (3) SUN Learning and Evaluation. Working in parallel with the SUN Fund, the USAID/Zambia SUN TA program will provide support and direct technical assistance to sub-national local government officials in target districts to plan, implement, coordinate, and monitor integrated nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific activities to significantly reduce the rate of stunting among Zambian children under two.

USAID has identified two main objectives that address stunting, including (1) Adequate Quantity and Quality of Dietary Intake among Target Groups; and (2) Adequate Health Conditions for Biological Utilization of Nutrients. SUN TA interventions will increase access and availability of safe, diverse, nutritious food; adoption of better child feeding habits and household hygiene practices; and access to improved health, water and sanitation services. The project will prioritize sustainability by improving intra-household joint decision making and building capacity of local government and their stakeholders to ensure coordination, accountability, and learning, following the Scaling Up Nutrition model.

Location: Lusaka, Zambia, with frequent in-country travel

Objective:
The Communications Manager will oversee project communications and reporting, internally and externally. Reporting directly to the Chief of Party and liaising as needed with USAID, other donors, national partners and stakeholders, the Communications Manager is responsible for planning, initiating, and managing the full breadth of the marketing and outreach activities of the project, with a strong focus on capturing and promoting the reach and impact of the project.

S/he will provide day‐to‐day management of SUN TA’s communications, reporting, and outreach to SUN TA’s various stakeholders. S/he will additionally support SUN TA-sponsored events, by organizing, branding, and producing informational materials and facilitating business participation.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• In coordination with USAID, develop targeted messaging for the project to convey its impact and success in keeping with USAID guidelines and priorities to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support communications with USAID Zambia counterparts, including the USAID Director of Communications Office (DOC), and other USG and non-USG donor agencies regarding project implementation, knowledge management, and information dissemination.
• Develop a broad communications strategy for the project to highlight achievements and effectively communicate progress. Proactively execute this overall communications strategy.
• In conjunction with program partners and technical leads, develop the SUN TA Strategic Communications Plan, outlining key audiences, messages, and communications tools and platforms for SUNTA’s interventions, ranging from the national to the household level
• Manage the process of developing and delivering contractual deliverables including weekly, quarterly, and annual reports.
• Provide quality assurance related to informational content and product development including PowerPoints, fact sheets, case studies, brochures, profiles and others.
• Represent SUNTA at events and meetings as delegated by the Chief of Party and liaise with relevant SUN 2.0 stakeholders, including institutional and private sector partners, to increase visibility and maximize coordination. Ensure that SUNTA’s communications plan is in line with broader SUN 2.0 communications strategies.
• Coordinate high-profile events, delegations, and field visits by government agencies, USAID, international organizations and donors, and local partners and stakeholders.
• Create and manage SUN TA website to ensure information is up to date and progress and events are shared as is appropriate. This may include updating and uploading modules and developing resources for relevant stakeholders to use.
• Develop outreach materials including banners, brochures, reports and other forms of internal and external communications, and manage clearance processes.
• Conduct interviews and capture quotes or stories as needed for reporting.
• Support programmatic events, exhibitions, and initiatives (e.g., conferences and other events).
• Ensure program materials are branded correctly and consistently in keeping with USAID standards and branding guidelines.
• Collaborate with technical staff on integrated project plans; provide communications support to technical staff as needed.
• Assist with the building of the capacity of SUNTA staff to develop reporting and promotional content from project activities; support staff with templates and reporting guidelines as needed
• Other duties as assigned by Chief of Party for successful achievement of communications objectives.

Reporting and Supervision:

The Communications Manager directly reports to the Chief of Party and coordinates closely with the field-based M&E and Communications Officers.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications or a technical sector related to SUNTA is required, Master’s Degree preferred
• 8+ years of progressive experience in a similar role with communications, reporting, communications product development, and knowledge management for USAID programs
• Excellent written and oral communications skills; ability to write well and produce various informational products under tight deadlines
• Demonstrated experience designing communications plans, developing and implementing knowledge management tools or systems, and developing content for social media platforms
• Experience working collaboratively with institutional and private‐sector partners and stakeholders
• USAID project reporting experience and USG client relations management and protocol experience
• Fluency in English and demonstrated experience preparing well-researched reports
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word and Power Point), graphic arts, and desktop publishing software a plus
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong team player
• Ability to travel domestically to support project work