Advocacy and Communications Officer

Apply by 31st May 2026.

About Restless Development Zimbabwe

Restless Development Zimbabwe is a nationally registered, youth-focused development organisation that has worked alongside young people in Zimbabwe for over 40 years. The organisation supports young people to lead change in their communities by strengthening youth leadership, civic participation, gender equality, and social accountability.

Restless Development works across multiple provinces in Zimbabwe and partners with communities, government institutions, civil society organisations, and development partners to deliver innovative, youth-led programming that strengthens systems, shifts harmful social norms, and promotes inclusive development.

As part of its growing portfolio, Restless Development Zimbabwe is seeking an experienced and dynamic Advocacy and Communications Officer to support the delivery of a youth-centred programme focused on social change, public engagement, and strategic communications. The role will support advocacy, stakeholder engagement, campaign visibility, digital engagement, and documentation of programme impact at community, provincial, and national levels.

Our approach to safeguarding

Restless Development considers the welfare and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults to be an organisational imperative with primacy over the success of programmes or strategic objectives. We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and we expect all of our staff, volunteers and partners to ensure we protect the communities in which we operate from harm and abide by our Safeguarding Policy.

About the role

Job title:   Advocacy and Communications Officer

Location :   Zimbabwe

Salary:   Gross monthly salary: $1 815 

Preferred start date:   July 2026

Length of contract:   10 Months - fixed

Reports to:   Programme Manager

Expected travel: National and International travel will be required (approximately 5%.

About the Role

Restless Development seeks to recruit a dynamic, inspired and innovative Zimbabwean to fill the role of Advocacy and Communications Officer. The Officer will be responsible for supporting the implementation of advocacy and communications strategies, coordinating visibility and public engagement activities, and managing digital communications and campaigns. They will develop high-quality communications and advocacy materials, support stakeholder engagement and partnership coordination, and document programme impact, learning, and success stories. A key part of this role involves amplifying youth voices and ensuring their meaningful participation through strategic communications. The successful candidate will have strong communications, organisational, and digital skills, along with a relevant qualification in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field. 

In this context, the Advocacy and Communications Officer is expected to deliver the following:

1. Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement

• Support the implementation of advocacy and public engagement initiatives at the community, provincial, and national levels 
  
• Coordinate stakeholder dialogues, meetings, campaigns, and engagement platforms 
  
• Support relationship management with, media partners and community stakeholders 
  
• Develop advocacy materials, including briefs, talking points, presentations, and campaign content 
  
• Support the representation of the organisation in meetings, events, and public forums where delegated 
  
• Identify opportunities to strengthen youth participation and influence in advocacy spaces

2. Communications, Campaigns and Visibility

• Support the implementation of programme communications and visibility plans 
  
• Manage digital communications and social media platforms 
  
• Develop engaging multimedia content, including stories, graphics, photography, videos, blogs, and campaign materials 
  
• Coordinate dissemination of newsletters, press releases, and communications products 
  
• Support media engagement and maintain positive relationships with journalists and communications partners 
  
• Monitor digital engagement, campaign performance, and audience reach 
  
• Ensure all communications products align with organisational branding and communications standards. 
  

3. Documentation, Learning and Reporting

• Document programme activities, impact stories, lessons learned, and case studies 
  
• Support the collection and organisation of communications and visibility evidence 
  
• Maintain communications archives, including photos, videos, media coverage, and campaign assets 
  
• Contribute to donor reports, internal updates, and programme learning products
  
• Track and report on advocacy and communications indicators and outputs.

4. Capacity Strengthening and Youth Engagement

• Support young people and programme teams with communications and advocacy skills development 
  
• Promote responsible, inclusive, and ethical communications practices 
  
• Support mentoring and coordination of youth-led communications initiatives where required
  

5. Other 

Other duties as required. 

• Represent Restless Development Zimbabwe during meetings, workshops, field visits, and partner engagements 
  
• Support organisational communications and visibility initiatives as required 
  
• Undertake any other duties assigned by the Line Manager consistent with the role 
  
• Occasionally work outside standard working hours, with time off in lieu where applicable
  

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for people with the right competencies and skills for the role, and who demonstrate the personal qualities consistent with our Values.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Media Studies, Journalism, Public Relations or related field 
  
• At least 2 years’ experience in advocacy, communications and campaigns, media. 
  
• Experience working with young people
  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills 
  
• Demonstrated experience managing digital platforms and social media engagement 
  
• Experience developing communications materials, including stories, reports, briefs, and multimedia content 
  
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills 
  
• Experience coordinating events, campaigns, or public engagement activities 
  
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills 
  
• Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills, particularly when working with young people and community stakeholders 
  
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within diverse teams 
  
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly within Zimbabwe and has a Class 4 Driver’s License.
  

Desirable

• Experience working within youth-led or community-based programmes 
  
• Knowledge of advocacy and behaviour change approaches 
  
• Graphic design, photography, videography, or multimedia editing skills 
  
• Experience working with donor-funded projects 
  
• Understanding of safeguarding, ethical storytelling, and inclusive communications practices 
  
• Experience working in multicultural and fast-paced environments
  
• Fluency in 2 vernacular languages 
  

Restless Development Zimbabwe is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. Restless Development Zimbabwe will ensure that no applicant or staff member receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, marital status, social status, caste, race, ethnic origin, religious belief, age, HIV status, disability, or any other factor that cannot be shown to be relevant to performance.

We strongly encourage young professionals and young women in particular to apply

Remuneration

We are proud to commit to a transparent global salary scale ensuring a fair system of pay. In addition to salary, we offer pension contributions or housing allowances and flexible working hours. 

Work-life Balance

It goes without saying that we work hard at Restless Development Tanzania. We also recognise the importance of helping staff to maintain a positive work-life balance by offering:

• 24 days annual leave (in addition to public holidays and with an extra day of annual leave given for each full year of service, up to a maximum of 28 days).
• Birthday Leave
• Access to flexible working.
• Generous study leave, maternity, paternity or adoption leave, and other leave allowances.

Professional Development

Restless Development Zimbabwe is proud to be an employer who recognises potential and invests in the development of its staff.  We are committed to the professional development of our staff through:

• Empowering opportunities to work on significant projects which stretch and inspire staff – allowing them to develop on-the-job. 
• Regular performance management.
• Training and development opportunities, including supporting our staff to identify mentors both within and outside of the agency.
• Quarterly Staff Workshops for all staff to give and receive agency updates, receive training, and socialise.

Travel and Medical Insurance

When travelling abroad with work, all staff will be covered by Restless Development Zimbabwe’s travel insurance. Any additional insurances/benefits will be shared with the successful applicant, and are dependent on the country of hire.

Restless Development reserves the right to close this vacancy before the advertised deadline should a suitable candidate be identified. We therefore encourage interested applicants to submit their applications as early as possible.

Key Dates

Please send a CV and cover letter through BambooHR  by midnight on the 31st May 2026.