Job Description

IFAW seeks to appoint a Communications Officer based in Harare, Zimbabwe responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies that promote awareness of IFAW’s projects and campaigns in Zimbabwe. The successful candidate will have strong creative writing and story-telling skills and the self-confidence and responsibility to work independently, manage multiple deadlines and deliver high quality outputs. A good understanding of regional media and an existing network of media contacts is essential to leverage positive earned media coverage of IFAW’s activities and build awareness and support for the organisation by the public, Government entities, and the NGO community. Social media savvy and the ability to monitor and evaluate communication impact are key.

Role and Responsibilities

• Develop a calendar to ensure regular field trips to IFAW Zimbabwe projects for story mining, content gathering and to develop working relationships with key staff.
• Support the Africa Director to develop and manage a strategic communications plan for IFAW Zimbabwe.
• Develop strategic communications plans, including branding and media opportunities for major donors.
• Work with international communications colleagues to develop media pitches for key foreign media.
• Set up a roster of monthly calls with key staff at each IFAW project and partner project and report out of these meetings to senior communications staff and content director.
• Work closely with IFAW partners to ensure a steady flow of stories, photographs, and social media content for Communications.
• Develop, maintain, and share a detailed editorial calendar of proposed stories with deadlines for delivery, for use across all IFAW channels, to include written articles, video, and photography.
• Deliver well-written, engaging stories, blogs, news updates, and press releases—approved for use—to a fixed deadline.
• Ensure at least one post per Zimbabwe project, per month on each of IFAW’s projects or activities on the IFAW Africa channels—this can include video.
• Work with international Comms colleagues to support outreach, including coordinating visits, by celebrities and social media influencers
• Work with IFAW’s social media team to identify social media posts suitable for international pages.
• Develop and maintain a media list of key regional journalists (local and foreign correspondents) with the intention of promoting IFAW’s leadership role in conservation, community development, and climate change via earned media coverage.
• Identify and ensure the contracts of at least two photographers, videographers and writer are maintained in each country in Zimbabwe.
• Manage content gathering visits by contracted photographers and videographers.
• Daily monitoring of regional and international media to stay abreast of trends, interest, and opportunities for opportunities to involve IFAW via comment/thought leadership opportunities.
• Support IFAW contracted media partners, as necessary.
• Facilitate visits from donors, media, brand ambassadors, influencers, and staff to IFAW projects—including drafting itineraries and managing logistics.
• Ensure all IFAW projects are on brand and that signage remains in good order—manage local suppliers.
• Plan, implement and monitor allocated budgets.
• Consolidate IFAW ZW Annual report.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Degree in communications, journalism or equivalent preferred with five years of experience in media and communications, including strategic communications planning (internal and external audiences), implementation, and evaluation.
• Commitment to environmental conservation; and knowledge of the key role players including non-Governmental organisations such as ZimParks, and the conservation community.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of Zimbabwe media in all its forms including print, broadcast and social media, and international media professionals based in Zimbabwe.
• An understanding of and commitment to wildlife conservation, community engagement, and climate change.
• An understanding of the political environment in Zimbabwe, and Southern Africa including key role players.
• Ability to film and present short video stories for social media will be an advantage.
• Experience of scheduling and budgeting.
• Ability to lead and work as part of a team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and the ability to be creative and innovative.
• Ability to plan strategically and to prioritise projects.
• Computer literate –standard office applications including word processing and internet communications.

At IFAW, we aim to create and foster a workforce that reflects and contributes to the diverse, global community in which we work to improve the lives of both animals and people. We are dedicated to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion so we actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 8 April 2026

Hiring range is $51,000 - $62,000 USD