Consultancy to Develop the Oxfam in Southern Africa Cluster Communication Strategy

Job description

Oxfam is a global movement of people who are fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice. Across regions, from the local to the global, we work with people to bring change that lasts.

OVERVIEW
Title and brief description of the assignment Consultancy to Develop the Oxfam in Southern Africa Cluster Communication Strategy
Assignment location Southern Africa Cluster: Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe
Contract start date 15th June 2025
How to apply Interested candidates are invited to submit:

1)     A proposal describing how the evaluation will be conducted (including a budget in a separate file)

2)     CV (s)

3)     A written example of an evaluation already carried out

See section ‘8. Application Process’ for further details

Application deadline 1st of June 2025
Specific considerations Model Review findings will be provided to the successful Consultant which will serve as a key input into this assignment.

1.PURPOSE OF THIS CONSULTANCY

The objective of this consultancy is to lead the development of a comprehensive, unified, and contextually relevant SAF Cluster Communication Strategy that aligns with Oxfam’s regional vision, programming goals, and global brand standards. The strategy will guide internal and external communications, digital engagement, media relations, storytelling, and strategic visibility over the next 3–5 years.

2. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

The Southern Africa (SAF) Cluster is a regional Oxfam entity with offices and hubs in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, working in close collaboration with local and national partners. Oxfam is part of a global movement advocating for transformative development models and systemic change by working alongside marginalized and vulnerable communities to challenge structural inequalities.

Our regional strategy framework is rooted in the belief that empowering local actors to influence systems and institutions is essential for achieving social justice. Guided by values of equality, empowerment, solidarity, inclusiveness, accountability, and courage, Oxfam in Southern Africa contributes meaningfully to national development plans, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

In April 2025, Oxfam concluded a comprehensive review of the SAF Cluster Model, which identified strategic shifts and key areas for improvement to strengthen our regional impact. One of the core recommendations was the importance of a unified and strategic approach to communications. The Cluster operates in a complex regional landscape where effective, coherent, and inclusive communication is critical to advance programmatic objectives, strengthen advocacy, and amplify local voices. A comprehensive communication strategy is essential to align efforts across the SAF Cluster and enhance internal and external stakeholder engagement.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

Specific tasks related to this scope of work are outlined as: The consultant will be expected to build on the SAF Cluster Model Review findings and recommendations through:

Conducting a communication landscape analysis to assess existing communication channels, tools, platforms, and target audience profiles.
Conduct a detailed digital media analysis for the Cluster to inform effective digital media engagement. This will largely cover; audience insights, analysis of the digital media eco system and landscape that will lead to the development of an integrated content framework using the right analytics.
Assesses internal capacities, and gaps across the SAF Cluster regarding the Communications function that will enable efficient utilization of resources.
Developing a draft Cluster Communication Strategy, covering:
Strategic communication objectives
Target audiences and stakeholder segmentation and channels
Key messaging framework and brand alignment
Guidelines and Protocols for internal and external communications coordination protocols guiding all cluster communication and engagement efforts both internally and externally
A clear communications monitoring and evaluation framework to measure and track the effectiveness of the SAF Clusters communications work.
Present and validate the draft strategy with key stakeholders
Finalize the Communication Strategy incorporating feedback.
Provide a Communications Plan for the first year with an implementation roadmap, including roles, responsibilities, and capacity-building needs.
 Accompany the Communication Team in implementation of the roadmap over a 30-day period.

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