Introduction

The ILO has received funding from the Government of Japan to support the Central Province in improving the management of electronic waste and in the process creating Jobs for youths. This project will train Trainers from the Province’s Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) Colleges as well as youths, women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in e-waste reuse, recycling and sustainable disposal. The participants will also be trained in financial and business management and assisted to set up their own businesses. The project shall also arrange workplace learning for some youth beneficiaries. 

The project’s development objective is to contribute towards establishing a sustainable e-waste management model that generates green employment for vulnerable youth (with a focus on women and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Central Province. Over a 12-month period (April 2026 to March 2027), the project will generate short-term decent green jobs opportunities, train unemployed youth in e-waste recycling and business skills, support them to form micro-enterprises, facilitate short-term decent work opportunities for youth and strengthen the policy framework for safe e-waste management. By project end, at least 100 young people (50% women, including PwDs) will gain technical and entrepreneurial skills through project-supported training and structured work-based learning opportunities (including some of the youth completing WBL/apprenticeships), and will access decent green jobs opportunities, while local institutions adopt improved e-waste regulations and practices.

 These outcomes contribute directly to SDGs 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production), 5 (Gender Equality), and 13 (Climate Action) by fostering inclusive green employment, sustainable waste management, and reduced pollution. The project Key Outcomes include (1) enhanced local capacity to safely manage e-waste; (2) creating short-term green jobs for youth (especially women and PwDs) through e-waste collection, recycling activities and structured work-based learning (WBL); (3) strengthening an entrepreneurship ecosystem that enables youth-led green businesses to grow and create future decent work; and (4) establishing a circular economy model aligned with national and global sustainability goals.

Reporting lines:

Under the overall responsibility of the ILO Country Office Director for Zambia and Malawi (CO-Lusaka), the Senior Communications and Public Information Assistant directly work under the Technical Officer of the E-Waste for Youth Employment in Central Province of Zambia. The Sr. Communications and Public Information Assistant will work in close collaboration with communications counterparts within the project, CO-Lusaka and liaise with the Regional Office for Africa Communications team.

Description of Duties

1.    Undertake and complete specialized support services in a range of communication and information management areas encompassing promotion, advocacy, media relations, events management, research, publication, documentation and information management activities. 
2.    Develop and implement a project communication strategy and a social media strategy.
3.    Create audiovisual content for social media and the ILO website, including short videos, graphics, photographs, and curating related content. 
4.    Coordinate and ensure consistent media messaging and uploading of content across various channels of public communication.
5.    Take a lead on media engagement for the project, including organization of press conferences, and preparation of press kits and talking points. Liaise with media, handle interview requests and draft press releases and statements.
6.    Develop creative communication, visibility and awareness raising materials to showcase project achievements and document lessons learnt, including compilation of a photo library, audio-visual content, drafting information materials such as human stories, fact sheets, presentations, project flyers, brochures, feature articles, and other relevant material and ensure the dissemination of material using relevant media platforms.  
7.    Promote different project initiatives and actions before, during and after by uploading engaging content across various channels of public communication according to donor (Japan) and ILO branding requirements. 
8.    Guide the production of publications, print and online, and audio-visual products including the procurement of requisite vendors and coordination with ITC Turin and other similar service providers, wherever needed.
9.    Provide communication and visibility support with regards to organization of project events, targeted community engagement activities, environmental campaigns and workshops, to educate the public on e-waste management and its benefit, product launches, press conferences, media interviews, meetings, conferences, workshops and promotion of publications/research. Give presentations and respond to a range of inquiries as required. 
10.    Provide documentation services and ensure the maintenance and update of webpages, databases and web content management systems, classifying information and ensuring consistency and compliance with applicable standards. Develop and update a media contacts/distribution list.
11.    Regularly monitor media output on ILO activities on the works of the projects. Draft press releases, opinion pieces, and media kits for distribution to media houses before, during, and after key project milestones.
12.    Analyze campaigns and translate qualitative data into recommendations and plans for the revision of the project communication strategy.
13.    Keep abreast of changes to communication and information management-related techniques, tools, standards, guidelines, and best practices and provide guidance and deliver training to staff with a view to building knowledge. Including keeping up to date with ILO world of work themes and national and regional priorities.

14.    Perform any other relevant duties requested by the Supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

Completion of secondary school education plus formal training in communication, media studies, journalism, public relations, or information management-related area is required.

Experience

At least of six years of office support work experience, the majority of which relates to communication or information management support services. Experience in national and international multimedia communication activities, including social media, digital, video, audio, and print formats is required. Familiarity with design and content creation tools such as Photoshop, Canva, Illustrator or similar software. Familiarity with photography and videography tools such as Lightroom, Premiere Pro, iMovie, Final Cut, Cap Cut, or similar software. Experience in communication in development funded projects implemented by national/international NGOs/UN agencies is an advantage.
    
•    Proven experience developing and implementing communications strategies through a variety of means, such as traditional, digital, and social media, and/or storytelling.

•    Experience in developing communications strategies using behavioural and social change communication, including audience segmentation and social mobilization. 

•    Demonstrated experience working with and overseeing the work of consultants and external companies and managing the delivery of multimedia communication products and services required.

•    Experience in, and knowledge of sustainable environmental interventions is preferred.

Languages

Excellent command of English.

Competencies

-    Good knowledge of communication and/or information management principles, multimedia techniques, platforms and concepts.
-    Good knowledge and hands-on experience with mobile and professional filming and editing techniques.
-    Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders.
-    Ability to distil complex topics into simple and compelling formats, including ability to code and classify information in accordance with standards.
-    Ability to tailor communication for specific audiences
-    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes.
-    Demonstrate collaborative and teamwork experience.
-    Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility.
-    Accuracy and attention to detail and skills in the design, layout and formatting documents. 
-    Ability to work with Microsoft Office applications (including word processor, Publisher, spreadsheet, presentation software and Microsoft Adobe) such as Microsoft Office.
-    In-depth awareness and understanding of social media platforms, their respective participants (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) and how each platform can be deployed in different scenarios.
-    Ability to communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies.
-    Excellent written and oral communications skills, including skills in researching and selection of information
-    Excellent knowledge of print, audio-visual and online processes.
-    Knowledge of planning and organizing events
-    Excellent drafting and web/editing skills in English.
-    Good understanding of the working practices of national and international media.
-    Knowledge of modern communication principles, techniques and systems.
-    Ability to foster effective two-way communication and understanding and to manage and impart information to a varied audience.

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment, but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.

ONLY shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.