Communications Officer – THRIVE

Communications Officer – THRIVE 

What we are looking for 

Hivos is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals. We are currently seeking suitably qualified, highly competent, and motivated candidates to serve as Communications Officer - THRIVE and lead effective implementation, coordination, and delivery of the program upon project commencement. 

Position Information

Location: Zimbabwe, Kenya, or Lebanon

Hours: Full Time (37.5 Hours Per Week – Zimbabwe / 40 hours Per Week – Kenya / 36 Hours Per Week – Lebanon)

Reports to: Project Manager Thrive

Team: Programs

Contract Type: Fixed – Term

Term: This appointment is for an initial term of one year, with possibility of annual renewal for the life of the project, subject to donor funding availability, performance and organizational needs.

Office: Zimbabwe, Kenya, or Lebanon  

Provisional grade: Kenya: 12; Zimbabwe: 5; Lebanon: 10

Deadline: 8 September 2026

Compensation Packages by Location

Salaries are pegged to global standards and paid in multiple currencies to protect against local market inflation and volatility.

Location                  Gross Salary Range 

Zimbabwe               USD3,498.32   - USD4,161.29

Kenya                       KSH 308,131.00 - KSH 392,029.00

Lebanon                  USD 2,760 - USD 3,136.00

JOB CONTEXT

Hivos was awarded the THRIVE Program (Promoting an Enabling Environment for Civil Society) under the Swedish Strategy for Support to Civil Society 2025–2029. The program aims to strengthen civil society resilience, sustainability, and effectiveness across Kenya, Zimbabwe, Colombia, and Lebanon.

THRIVE seeks to empower civil society actors to counter shrinking civic space and promote enabling environments through three interlinked outcomes:

1. Safe and inclusive spaces for collaboration
2. Strengthened operational and strategic capacities
3. Increased access to knowledge, networks, tools, and resources

ROLE PURPOSE

The Communications Officer for Project THRIVE develops and leads the project’s communication strategy, ensuring clear, consistent and impactful messaging across countries and partners. Working closely with the Project Manager and key stakeholders, the role produces targeted content, strengthens THRIVE’s visibility and advocacy efforts, and supports effective engagement, learning and reporting. It ensures high‑quality communication outputs that advance THRIVE’s objectives and meet donor requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Communication Strategy and Implementation

• Develop and implement communication strategies and plans tailored to Project THRIVE, ensuring alignment with project objectives, values, and identity.
• Strengthen THRIVE’s internal and external positioning, visibility, and branding across all communication outputs.
• Advise project staff on communication approaches, risks, and opportunities.
• Anticipate and monitor the impact of external program visibility on partner safety, especially in restrictive environments, and adapt program visibility actions accordingly.

Content Development and Online Strategy

• Develop and implement THRIVE’s online communication strategy.
• Create and manage content for websites, social media, and partner platforms.
• Produce or coordinate communication materials (articles, videos, illustrations, infographics) that highlight THRIVE’s achievements and impact.

External Positioning, Advocacy, and Outreach

• Monitor external developments relevant to Project THRIVE and integrate them into communication and positioning efforts.
• Represent and position Thrive in policy, civil society, and stakeholder arenas.
• Design and execute advocacy campaigns at local, national, or international levels.
• Identify strategic entry points for advocacy interventions aligned with THRIVE’s priorities.
• Coordinate communication efforts for THRIVE-related events, campaigns, and public engagement.

Stakeholder Engagement and Network Development

• Build and maintain professional relationships with partners, donors, media, and other stakeholders relevant to Thrive.
• Engage with key actors to influence policy debates and decision‑making processes aligned with THRIVE’s objectives.
• Facilitate co‑creation, collaboration, and partnership in communication initiatives.
• Support the development of communication networks and THRIVE’s participation in key events and platforms.

Teamwork, Project Support, and Learning

• Collaborate closely with THRIVE’s project team on communication activities.
• Evaluation of communication‑related outputs.
• Support project teams in effective communication, outreach, and stakeholder engagement.
• Participate in reflection, learning, and knowledge‑sharing processes within THRIVE.
• Contribute to improving communication practices, tools, and performance monitoring across the project.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or another relevant discipline.
• A minimum of five years of experience in external communications in a non-profit environment. Specific experience in the areas of civic space, democratic governance and civil society engagement would be an asset.
• A proven track record of using online communications channels (website, social media) to amplify the impact and visibility of a complex, donor-funded program. Project management experience would be an asset.
• Proven ability to quickly grasp new concepts and information and to translate them into captivating content for diverse audiences (policymakers, civil society organizations, general public)
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders and partner organizations.
• High professional proficiency in English with excellent written and verbal skills; proficiency in another widely spoken language would be a strong asset (e.g. Spanish, Arabic, French, Swahili, etc.).

Key Skills /Attributes

• Persuasiveness and Influence
• Communication and presentation skills
• Relationship management
• Result-oriented approach with strong follow-up discipline
• Facilitation and report writing
• Networking and stakeholder engagement
• Planning and organizational skills
• Teamwork and collaboration

What we offer

We offer a stimulating work environment in a professional international organization with dedicated staff.  Work modality is hybrid, with minimum two days in the office, and the remaining days working from home if so desire. We offer an initial one-year contract, renewable based on performance and funding, based on local labor conditions, with a remuneration commensurate with experience and expertise

Want to apply?

Please submit a cover letter (maximum 1 page) and CV (maximum 2 pages) as soon as possible by clicking the ‘Apply here’ button. Applications are being received until 8 September 2026, midnight CAT.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

Hivos is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace, and strives to be representative of all sections of society. We know that different perspectives, experiences, and competences are key for Hivos to be a relevant, capable, and successful organization. Hivos therefore strives to recruit staff with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.  

Hivos is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and partners with whom Hivos engage. 

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Hivos also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. When you submit an application, you confirm your understanding of these recruitment procedures.