Communications Specialist x1, Harare
Ngo & Social Services Jobs
- CeSHHAR Zimbabwe
- Expires 02 Jan 2026
- Harare
- Full Time
Job Description
CeSHHAR Zimbabwe is an organisation that specialises in population health research and programming, including on sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS. CeSHHAR has an extensive national, regional, and international academic and community partnership network. CeSHHAR has a diverse range of funders which include the Wellcome Trust, the Gates Foundation, UK Medical Research Council, Templeton World Charity Foundation, Global Fund for AIDS TB and Malaria, UNICEF and UNFPA. We partner very closely with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (UK). CeSHHAR is implementing a National Key Population programme on behalf of National AIDS Council and Ministry of Health and Child Care in all 10 provinces in Zimbabwe. The Communications Specialist provides organisation-wide strategic leadership for CeSHHAR’s internal and external communications and reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO). The role oversees the development and execution of CeSHHAR’ s cross-departmental communication strategy, strengthens research uptake, ensures consistent brand and quality standards, and manages high-level media and stakeholder engagement. The Communications Specialist also offers functional technical supervision to departmental communication officers, ensuring alignment and coherence across all communication outputs.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Leads the development and execution of the organisation-wide communication strategy in line with the institutions strategy and provides leadership during implementation
• Continuously reviews and refines CeSHHAR’s overarching communication strategy across all departments in line with changes in strategy.
• Ensures coherence of messaging, alignment with institutional priorities, and consistent representation of CeSHHAR’s scientific, programme, and policy contributions at national, regional, and global levels.
• Works with project leads, researchers, and departmental teams and the Communications Officer(s) to identify key stories, results, and milestones.
• Translates complex research into unified communication products—blogs, briefs, newsletters, policy-oriented content—that elevate CeSHHAR’s visibility and strengthen research uptake across thematic areas (Key Populations, SRH, climate health, social science, community engagement, etc.).
• Ensures an up-to-date website and works with the relevant departments for timely update of website content.
• Liaises with service providers on technical challenges with the Website.
• Provides institutional reports on engagement levels across all social media platforms.
• Develops a branding and marking strategy to build and promote CeSHHAR’s brand awareness in the market.
• Ensures brand visibility, integrity, and institutional standards are maintained.
• Works with different internal and external stakeholders on initiatives that promote brand awareness.
• Reviews and approves flagship written and digital outputs across departments.
• Maintain high standards for accuracy, ethical communication, visual identity, and evidence-based messaging.
• Provide feedback to Heads of Departments to ensure consistent quality and alignment with CeSHHAR’s brand and values.
• Leads the development all branding related activities for the institution.
• Leads institutional media engagement, partnerships, and high-level platforms
• Act as a central liaison with media houses, strategic partners, government communication units, and international collaborators.
• Coordinates cross-departmental interviews, press releases, podcasts, webinars, and visibility moments, ensuring that CeSHHAR speaks with a coherent and influential voice.
• Directs analytics, knowledge-management systems, and communication capacity-building
• Oversees digital analytics, reputational monitoring, and performance tracking across departmental channels.
• Strengthens internal systems for organising communication assets and institutional knowledge.
• Mentors communication staff across departments, build skills in science communication and research uptake, and lead learning processes that improve CeSHHAR’s communication footprint.
• Provides periodic reports on KPIs in line with the agreed communication strategy.
• Supervises the work done by the Communications Officer.
Qualifications and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in media, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or related field.
• A Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Additional qualifications in media writing, digital communication, social media marketing a plus.
• 5 years post qualification experience in communications, digital media, or content creation
• Previous experience using analytic tools to measure communication effectiveness.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, editing abilities are essential.
• Experience in the NGO/research sector
• Demonstrable experience developing and implementing communication strategies.
• Basic graphic design skills using Canva and Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Proficiency in social media platforms (Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram).
• Proficiency in using a DSLR camera for event/project photography and photo editing software (e.g., Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop).
How to Apply
Step 1: Click the Apply Button Below
Step 2: If you are interested in the above position, please email your CV and application cover letter addressed to Human Resources and send to vacancies@ceshhar.org . Indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
CeSHHAR Zimbabwe is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.
The successful candidate will undergo relevant background checks and will be required to commit in writing to comply with the CeSHHAR Zimbabwe safeguarding guidelines.
