Advocacy and Communications Coordinator

Introduction
SOS Children’s Villages Malawi is a non-governmental child protection and development organization established in Malawi in 1991. Our vision is that every child belongs to a family and grows up with love, respect and security. Our mission is to build families for children in need, we help them shape their own futures, and we share in the development of their communities.

In pursuit of the vision and mission, we work in collaboration with the Government of Malawi and other partners to implement various projects focusing on child protection and development; entrepreneurship and vocational skills training for young people; livelihood improvement for vulnerable households, child and youth education, as well as advocacy in the areas of child rights and protection. Our programme coverage is country-wide, operating from Chikwawa, Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzimba and Mzuzu. To strengthen programme impact, SOS Children’s Villages Malawi intends to recruit a Programme Director, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator, Sponsorship Assistant and Protection, Gender and Inclusion Coordinator to support our programmes. Note that all positions are on full time, fixed term contracts for the period of 3 years renewable upon funding availability and performance.

Advocacy and Communications Coordinator – National Office, Lilongwe

Position summary

The Advocacy and Communications Coordinator will plan, implement and review the advocacy and communications actions to promote the rights of children in our target group (children that have lost parental care and children that are at risk of losing parental care).

The Advocacy and Communications Coordinator supports the achievement of the advocacy and communications strategic goals of the organization. In liaison with the IPD Coordinator and National Sponsorship Coordinator, s/he will manage the MA’s website, social media pages (Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin) and build sustainable partnerships with mainstream media (print and electronic) and always ensure effective communication with relevant stakeholders.

Key performance areas and main responsibilities:

Advocacy and Engagement

• Ability to engage and propose strategic goals, targets, actions and budgets for the advocacy work of the MA and include the main advocacy activities and projects in the MA Annual Plan.
• Monitor and analyse trends and developments of childcare legislation and practice which might affect the work of the MA and suggest advocacy actions accordingly.
• Plan, coordinate and monitor the implementation of national advocacy projects and related partnership activities in Malawi as approved by the National Director and according to advocacy priorities of the MA.
• Represent the organisation in SOS Children’s Villages Malawi internal and external, national and international conferences, working groups, networks or propose the nomination of the most appropriate co-workers for attending such events.
• Identify capacity building needs for the MA regarding advocacy and related issues and organise advocacy trainings.

Communications

• Develop mechanisms for identification, documentation and dissemination of advocacy and communications best practices for learning
• Develop and execute the MA’s communication strategy
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing digital (website) and social media communications strategies
• Demonstrated experience in developing and producing different communication products (brochures, flyers, leaflets, magazines and activity concept notes)
• Working knowledge of all Adobe Creative Suites i.e., InDesign, Premier Pro, and Photoshop

Role qualifications, experience, skills

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, marketing, social sciences, or other related sectors or equivalent experience
• Minimum 3 years’ experience working in communications and advocacy for a not-for-profit or other corporation.
• Familiar with international child rights treaties and conventions, including international humanitarian principles.
• Knowledge of issues affecting children and children’s rights, and safeguarding Ability to develop creative high-quality advocacy and communication products.
• Skills in news and press release writing
• Good knowledge of audio and video editing, podcast creation, layout design and best practice for web content, including optimization of content for search

How to apply

Interested persons should submit their applications and detailed Curriculum Vitae with three traceable referees via the following email address: recruitment.sosmw@sos-malawi.org

Please ensure that you include your full contact details including telephone numbers. Closing date for receiving applications is on 13th May 2025. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

“SOS Children’s Villages Malawi has zero-tolerance neither on sexual exploitation, harassment, and abuse nor fraud and corruption, amongst other safeguarding aspects. SOS Children’s Villages Malawi also provide equal employment opportunities to all employees & qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or class. The successful candidate will be required to complete safer recruitment checks including police and reference checks to help verify their suitability to work for SOS Children’s Villages Malawi.

SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES MALAWI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, ALL QUALIFIED CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.