Communication Specialist (Recruitment)

Original title: ENGAGE A COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST

Deadline

October 2, 2026

Closed

This tender is closed

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Published on September 30, 2026 at 12:00 AMModified on October 2, 2026 at 01:01 AM

Key information

Type: Consulting & Studies
Location: Zambia
Deadline: October 2, 2026 at 12:00 AMClosed
Estimated Value: Not disclosed
Language of Notice: English

What is this tender about?

Communication Specialist (Recruitment) is a consulting & studies procurement opportunity published by Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in Zambia on September 30, 2026. Submissions closed on October 2, 2026. 1 official document is attached below.

manages communication and reputational risks;
strengthens trust and stakeholder participation;
improves coordination and message coherence;
strengthens citizen engagement and feedback mechanisms; and
establishes communication systems, tools and skills that can be sustained beyond the assignment. 3. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT The Communications Specialist will provide strategic advisory and technical support to strengthen communication and stakeholder engagement for Zambia's broader devolution agenda, with particular focus on ZDSP-supported reforms and results. The Specialist will work through and strengthen existing Government and Local Authority communication structures and platforms and will work closely with the MLGRD Public Relations Department, ZDSP management, the Decentralisation Secretariat, relevant Government institutions, Implementing Agencies and participating Local Authorities. Key responsibilities will include, but not be limited to: a) Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Diagnostic Conduct a diagnostic assessment of existing communication and stakeholder engagement practices, systems and institutional arrangements across MLGRD, Implementing Agencies and a representative sample of Local Authorities, identifying strengths, gaps, duplication, fragmentation and priority areas for improvement. b) Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Framework Develop and support implementation of an integrated strategic communication and stakeholder engagement framework for the broader devolution agenda, together with a specific ZDSP communication action plan. c) Strategic Communication Advisory Support and Communication Risk Management Provide strategic communication advice to Program leadership, the MLGRD Public Relations Department and relevant Government institutions on communication opportunities, emerging issues, misinformation, reputational risks and crisis communication. d) Communication Campaigns, Content Development and Knowledge Products Support proactive, sustained and audience-appropriate communication on priority devolution reforms, ZDSP-supported interventions and results, including development of appropriate communication and knowledge products. e) Institutional Communication Capacity Strengthening and Coordination Strengthen communication systems, coordination and staff capacity within MLGRD, relevant Implementing Agencies and other institutions involved in decentralisation through mentoring, coaching, systems improvement, tools development and knowledge transfer. f) Local Authority Communication, Citizen Engagement and Feedback Provide targeted support to participating Local Authorities to strengthen the capacity of Public Relations Officers or designated communication officers and improve regular, accessible and responsive communication with citizens and other local stakeholders. g) Cross-Institutional Communication Coordination Establish and operationalise a cross-institutional communication coordination mechanism to align messaging, avoid duplication and ensure consistent, timely and mutually reinforcing communication concerning the ZDSP and the broader devolution agenda. h) Communication Monitoring, Learning and Sustainability Establish practical arrangements for monitoring communication and stakeholder engagement performance and use evidence, stakeholder feedback, media trends and analytics to improve communication decisions, strengthen accountability and support sustainability. 4. KEY DELIVERABLES The key deliverables under the assignment will include: • Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Diagnostic Report;
Integrated Devolution and ZDSP Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Framework, Communication Action Plan and Risk and Issues Management Protocol;
Monthly and Quarterly Communication Performance and Strategic Advisory Reports;
Communication Products, Campaigns and Knowledge Materials;
Institutional and Local Authority Communication Capacity-Strengthening Package; and
Final Communication Performance, Institutional Capacity and Sustainability Report. The deliverables will be developed in consultation with the MLGRD Public Relations Department and relevant Implementing Agencies and shall be practical, professional and aligned with relevant Government policies and Program objectives. 5. DURATION AND LEVEL OF EFFORT The assignment will be for an initial period of twelve (12) months on a full-time basis, subject to Program needs and availability of funding. Any extension may be structured on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on the remaining scope of work, Program needs, availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The Consultant will be required to travel periodically to participating Local Authorities across Zambia to provide on-site support, facilitate capacity-building activities, assess communication practices and engage with relevant local stakeholders and communities. 6. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Interested Individual Consultants should possess the following minimum qualifications and experience: Academic Qualifications • A minimum of a Master's Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Development Communication, Social Sciences or another relevant field. Professional Experience • At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic communication, reform communication, stakeholder engagement, public sector change communication, behaviour-change communication or a closely related field;
Demonstrated experience working with public sector institutions in Zambia, including practical engagement with Local Authorities and actors involved in governance or decentralisation reforms;
Demonstrated experience designing and implementing strategic communication and stakeholder engagement strategies for complex public sector reforms, governance programmes, decentralisation initiatives or donor-funded operations;
Experience in multi-stakeholder engagement, including stakeholder mapping and analysis, audience segmentation, consultation and feedback mechanisms and facilitation of dialogue;
Demonstrated experience strengthening institutional communication capacity within Government, public sector agencies or large reform programmes, including skills transfer, coaching and development of communication systems, tools, templates and protocols;
Demonstrated ability to use communication to shape understanding, influence stakeholder behaviour, build trust, manage reform risks, strengthen citizen engagement and support institutional change;
Proven editorial and content development experience across traditional, digital and social media formats;
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with Government communication teams and provide hands-on mentoring and knowledge transfer;
Strong conceptual, strategic, analytical, organisational and creative capabilities, with sound professional judgement and ability to advise senior programme leadership; and
Experience in strengthening digital public informat

What are the key dates?

Publication
September 30, 2026
Bid Submission Deadline
October 2, 2026
Evaluation & Award
Pending
Contract Signature
Pending

Procuring Entity

Name: Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development
Country: Zambia
Contact person: Elizabeth Choseni
Phone: Create a free account to view

Which documents are available?

Tender Details
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