Summary
Date Posted: Wednesday, March 30, 2022 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Communications Officer
Location: Lusaka, Zambia, Including Field Time
Contract: Part Time
Reports to: Head of Communications in London and Operations Director in Zambia

About SolarAid
SolarAid’s mission is to light up every home, school, and clinic in Africa by 2030, using safe, clean, solar power. There are 578 million people in sub-Saharan Africa living without electricity. When the sun goes down at night, families are reliant on dangerous and expensive forms of lighting such as candles and kerosene lamps.
SolarAid has played an important role helping to create vibrant and sustainable solar markets across Africa through a trade-not-aid model in rural areas. Through our social enterprise, SunnyMoney, we have distributed over 2 million solar lights, directly impacting over 11 million people across sub-Saharan Africa. Families across the continent can now rely on safe, renewable solar lights as the sun sets, but there is still a long way to go to reach everyone who is being left in the dark, and we are stepping up our efforts.
SolarAid is now looking for a skilled Communications Coordinator based at one of our SunnyMoney offices, to act as the link between the field offices and the UK office and support with sourcing and creating vibrant content from the field which will help us amplify the stories of people living without electricity. This role will also support SunnyMoney with other marketing and digital related tasks, such as updating the website or support with the design of reports.
Equal opportunity
SolarAid is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.

About the role
SolarAid is looking for a skilled Communications Coordinator who can act as a link between the UK office and the field offices. Part of this role will be to support the communications and fundraising teams in the UK through sourcing, organising and gathering content from the activities carried out in the field. This role will also support SunnyMoney with branding and marketing activities, such as updating the SunnyMoney website when needed, or carry out social media activities.
This is a new position and we are looking for someone who has an understanding for non-profit fundraising and communications work, has an eye for when there is an opportunity for a powerful case story, is highly organised, and has experience in working with content collecting.
Your main focus will be to be the eyes and ears on the ground and provide the UK team with content such as qualitative stories, photography and interviews. Storytelling is at the heart of our communications strategy and we are looking for a person who is a sharp storyteller, with an eye for powerful storytelling and an ability to turn complex issues into captivating stories. The person we are looking for has a natural ability to connect and interact with people from a wide range of backgrounds. You will be travelling to the field with our field teams, at times you will act as a producer and support commissioned photographers through organising photo shoots, other times you will be the one to gather the content.
Your values: You will be expected to uphold the values and ethos of SolarAid and SunnyMoney in the way we engage with audiences, and inspire support, at all times. You will be expected to show respect and uphold ethical standards when travelling to our programmes in the field, collecting content and interacting with the people we work with.
Role Purpose: Work as a communications link between the UK office and the country offices, as well as, supporting SunnyMoney offices with communications activities.

Specific tasks
Content collecting
• Keep the UK team updated with information on field plans and plan communications activities around these.
• Source and research potential stories from SunnyMoney’s programmatic work.
• Commission photographers and videographers, co-ordinate and organise field trips and photo shoots/ story gathering.
• Act as producer on field trips and be the main responsible person for schedules and practical details.
• Carry out interviews, transcribe and write up stories.
• Be responsible for the upholding of ethical standards and the consent process during content collecting.
• Act as spokesperson when needed and co-ordinate specific press requests.
• Write guest blogs and texts.
• Be on hand for communications or fundraising colleagues who may need specific information or content from the field.
SunnyMoney branding and communications
• Support with smaller updates the SunnyMoney website when needed.
• Carry out design tasks such as supporting with marketing materials or branding for presentations or reports.
• Update the SunnyMoney social media platforms.

Key responsibilities will include
• Support in developing communications plans for our programme activities in the field.
• Source and organise the gathering of field stories.
• Commission photographers/videographers, plan field trips and be responsible for scheduling of content gathering.
• Be on hand with information about field activities for communications and fundraising departments in the UK.
• Ensure ethical practices are being followed when carrying out content collecting.
• Support the SunnyMoney office with communications materials
• Support the SunnyMoney office with digital communications.
Team Communication
As a small, but growing team, every role is expected to support where is needed. This includes lending a hand when needed, as well as, playing a part in creating a positive working environment. You will be closely collaborating and liaising with several different departments and offices in Malawi, Zambia and the UK.

Personal Specification
Skills and Competencies
• Ability to turn complex issues into capturing stories,
• Excellent written and verbal English skills with ability to tailor communications for a variety of audiences.
• Excellent co-ordinating, timekeeping and organising skills.
• A natural way of connecting with people from various backgrounds,
• Understanding of photography shoots.
• Ability to work flexibly and to determine priority projects and complete tasks in a timely way.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues from a range of cultures and backgrounds.
• Great team player and willing to support colleagues.
• Creative, proactive and solution oriented.
• Interest in and understanding of international development.
• Willingness to travel and understanding of travel in rural environments.
• Willingness to work outside of office hours when required.

Experience – Essential
• Two years’ experience in relevant areas of communication in the charity/non-profit sector.
• Demonstrated field experience and understanding of working conditions in the field.
• Good experience in interviewing and writing, such as blogs or newsletters.
• Good experience in producing multimedia content, including photography.
• Demonstrated experience of working with social media.
• Experience in CMS systems such as WordPress or similar.
• Basic design skills and ability to design simpler marketing materials or reports.

Experience – Desirable
• Educated to degree level, or by experience, preferably in digital marketing, communications or equivalent.
• Experience in commissioning photographers/videographers / producing photo shoots.
• Understanding of design and photo software such as Adobe and/or Canva.
• Understanding of the media landscape in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Experience of working in a small team environment, preferably in an international setting.

Job Experience: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure
Applicants are invited to email their CV and a covering letter, which explains how you meet the criteria in this job description and why you are a good fit for SolarAid to:
Recruitment.zambia@sunnymoney.org
Please entitle your email as follows: Communications [Name Surname]
Submission deadline: 8 April 2022

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