Communication Senior Specialist

Job description

Background 
Mafisa is a Zambian non-profit organisation established in 2018. Currently focused on Mwandi and surrounding districts, Mafisa is strengthening climate-smart, productive pastoralist livelihoods in Zambia’s poorest and most climate-impacted regions. The Mafisa model helps local traditional cattle-raising communities to improve herd health, adopt regenerative rangeland management, and access fair market opportunities so they will have larger, more sustainable incomes. Mafisa also supports other sustainable livelihoods in the same communities.

From 2023, Mafisa has been expanding operations through carbon financing. This is an innovative programme – a methodology that has not been used in Zambia, rapid growth for a young Zambian non-profit, and a significant expansion in programming in the livestock sector.

The Mafisa team is committed to building an impactful and respected programme, and a Zambian organisation that reflects excellence in strategy, implementation, accountability and impact.

Purpose of the Role
To lead and execute Mafisa’s national and international external communications strategy. This role is pivotal in elevating Mafisa’s profile among high-level stakeholders in Zambia and within the global social enterprise and philanthropic space. It requires a deep understanding of livestock, rural poverty, and climate change narratives—and the ability to translate complex local impact into compelling global messages.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Communications
Develop and implement a high-level external communications strategy tailored for national policy makers and international peers and funders.

Craft messaging frameworks that position Mafisa within the social enterprise and rural livelihoods space, aligned with the interests of philanthropic and social enterprise audiences.[i]

Identify strategic opportunities, partnerships, and messaging angles that enhance Mafisa’s profile.

Content Development and Materials

Oversee the development of high-quality communications materials:

Short films and photography portfolios
Case studies and brochures
Digital and print materials for funders and partners
Website and social media content

Ensure consistent, on-brand messaging with a focus on thought leadership across all channels and platforms.

Engagement and Representation
Identify and coordinate Mafisa’s participation in key international events, including the Skoll World Forum and other philanthropic, environmental, and climate forums.

Facilitate opportunities for the CEO and senior leadership to engage with high-level stakeholders through speaking engagements, interviews, and strategic meetings.

Maintain relationships with media, filmmakers, and communication professionals to amplify Mafisa’s work.

Internal Collaboration
Work closely with the CEO, as well as the programme team and fundraising and strategy team, to align communications with organisational goals and partnership strategies.

Develop internal briefs to guide external-facing documents, campaigns, and storytelling, with particular emphasis on key stakeholder relationships.

Advise and support responsible officers on content development for local broadcast on Radio Mwandi and other local radio stations in the project area.

Person Specification
Essential
Proven experience in strategic communications, ideally in international development, social enterprise, or nonprofit sectors.

Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills for high-level and international audiences.

Demonstrated ability to develop communications for complex, multidisciplinary programmes.

Strong understanding of global philanthropic audiences and communications trends.

Experience developing content for social media, websites, brochures, and video.

Ability to think strategically while also executing tasks independently.

Experience developing strategic communications for international funders, with the ability to adapt messaging and tone for different audiences, especially philanthropic foundations, social enterprise networks, and mission-driven investors.

While direct experience with philanthropic funders is not expected, the successful candidate will demonstrate a strong aptitude for understanding and positioning within that space, which is distinct from traditional bilateral donor communication.

Desirable
Prior experience working on Zambian rural development, agriculture, livestock, or climate change and knowledge of the carbon sector.

Knowledge of visual storytelling and basic digital design tools (e.g. Canva, Adobe suite).

Terms and Conditions
Full-time, based in Lusaka

Some travel is required within Zambia and occasionally internationally.

Competitive nonprofit salary commensurate with experience.

[i] Note on Strategic Philanthropy
The funders that support Mafisa represent a distinct type of philanthropic actor, with very limited presence in Zambia. They support scalable social innovations through unrestricted core funding, emphasising deep impact, evidence, and visionary leadership. They differ significantly from bilateral donors in their decision-making processes, communication expectations, and relational dynamics. Familiarity with this approach is an advantage, but not a requirement—we are looking for someone who can learn and adapt quickly.

Mafisa is recruiting a Communication Senior Specialist. We anticipate recruiting a full-time employee, but would also consider proposals from companies/agencies.

All individual applications should be submitted via this link.

Any corporate proposals should be submitted to hr@mafisa.org

Any individual applications submitted by email will not be considered.

Deadline for submissions is the close of business on 13th June 2025.

Do not submit qualifications / NRC, etc, at this stage.

All applicants must have the right to live and work in Zambia.