Communications and Advocacy Specialist

With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

Local - Fixed Term Employee (Fixed Term)

Job Description:

Purpose of the position:  

The overall purpose of this position is to enhance World Vision International Lesotho’s investment in a high-performing storytelling ecosystem which delivers innovative experiences and quality, widely shared content that elevates children's voices and speaks to our Christian faith.  To ensure that, all WVIL spectators engage effectively and meaningfully in its mission through relevant campaigns, thought leadership, digital channels, and media, thus facilitate engagement of WVIL audience with inspiring, digital-first news, content, events and campaigns as to enable its relevant audience to become active ambassadors for WV going further to keep Our Promise at all levels. 
Be responsible for increasing visibility of the campaign and GEDSI through documentation of best practices, storytelling/ development of quality content and ensure that, it is shared timely with relevant stakeholders on different platforms such as social media, regional and global story hubs, and thus respond to the requirements of the WV Southern Africa regional office, Global center and support offices and other concerned parties at all levels. The position is also expected to communicate World Vision's Christian ethos and demonstrate a quality of spiritual life that is an example to others.

The WVIL Communications and Advocacy Specialist will implement the above-mentioned interventions under the guidance and the direct Supervision of Advocacy and Partnering Lead. He/she will develop and regularly review a workplan so as to ensure established targets are delivered timely, effectively and in an efficient manner.

 
Key Outputs/Responsibilities

1. Communications and Public Engagement: 40%

• Work with frontline staff to ensure creation of quality fit-for-purpose content and stakeholder communications through Programmes and projects coordination that is easily accessible on Partnership platforms and promptly used.  
• Lead internal and staff engagement in communications, connecting WVIL staff via internal channels to share content that informs, inspires, equips and engages everyone to actively champion Our Promise and WVIL strategy.
• Build and protect World Vision’s reputation by leading WVIL through events, breaking news and relevant issues, protecting our brand through building a country-wide culture of reputation risk management.
• Support WVIL efforts to strengthen organizational unity, trust, engagement and alignment through strategic advice on branding and messaging.
• Develop and implement context-driven and integrated communications and campaign business plan that supports Five-year organizational strategy, thus ensure integration of the WVIL campaign into all the sectors at all levels 
• Brand and Public Engagement - Strengthen brand relevance and grow target audiences, while safeguarding and building WVIL reputation.
• Storytelling - Create, curate and champion timely, high-value content that meets income, influence and impact goals.

2. Advocacy 30%

• Reinforce documentation of WVIL’S advocacy and campaign interventions at all levels in line with WVI advocacy and campaigns standards, protocols and relevant policies.
• Crafting compelling advocacy campaigns, managing media relations and supporting child -focused policy initiatives. 
• Lead scaling up of field evidence to influence/ inform National level Advocacy to be multi sectoral policy discussions.
• Facilitate and Lead implementation of ENOUGH Campaign on Ending Child Hunger and Malnutrion in line with relevant stakeholders. 
   

3. Capacity Building and Relationship Management: 20%

• Collaborate and work closely with the Clusters Managers and APs to ensure smooth implementation of communication and advocacy strategies.
• Lead and carry out regular monitoring field visits to quality of photos and videography standards are maintained across AP’s and Project activities;
• Support and guide timely story collection, documentation and consolidation to enhance sponsor – child relationships;
• Provide information sharing and learning on Child Wellbeing Objectives to align with Child Protection, Health & Nutrition initiatives;
• Maintain regular communication to staff and stakeholders on WVL learning events, progress on integrated program and project’s implementation, WVL campaigns, lesson learned for continuous improvement;
• Provide supervision to matrix teams, interns and temporary staff with a continuous coaching, training and mentorship;
• Conduct staff trainings and communication and advocacy standards;
• Support AP staff on videography and photography capacity building initiatives in collaboration with other cross cutting programs;
• Prepare and submit quality and timely reports on communications, public engagement/campaign related interventions to relevant structures internally and externally in line with the reporting procedures.    

4    Risk Management and Compliance 10%

• Support the departmental risk register and maintain mitigation factors based on new development within WVL communication and advocacy contexts;
• Coordinate communication audits & and provide required information for review and management responses.
• Overseeing tracking and reporting to ensure WVL is well positioned in the Regional to obtain green dashboards;
• Design communication tools to guide the National Office compliance in line with Regional and Partnership standards. 

   

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in journalism, media, communications, or related field; 

At least 5 years’ experience in communication and advocacy field for community development or humanitarian sector;

Post-graduate qualification would be added advantage. 

• Experience in working with children, youth and vulnerable groups;
• Extensive knowledge of child protection programs, advocacy for gender-based violence, child participation and diversity and inclusion; 
• In-depth understanding and experience of working with proposals and contracts from donors.
• Experience of complex planning and budgeting processes including the ability to provide clear guidance on donor policies and procedures
• Demonstrable experience in leadership, strategic thinking and results-based management in grant Compliance matters.
• Demonstrated experience in organizing and facilitating training, mentorship and capacity building of community leaders;
• Extensive knowledge of photography and videography skills with research, reporting and writing skills;
• Solid knowledge of social media channels and all public engagement management tools and techniques;
• High level of maturity with strong interpersonal relationship, conflict management, and public speaking skills;
• Strong communication skills, ability to facilitate the collection of photo, video, story and social media resources;
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, manage workload and meet deadlines;
• Proven field communications experience in emergency settings and hard to reach areas;
• Experience in high level external engagement with Government, donors, Civil Society Organizations and other stakeholders.
• Good knowledge of WV’s ethos and philosophy of work.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• An energetic, analytical and self-starting approach to projects that involve significant responsibility
• Excellent advocacy, lobbying, networking, relationship building and people management skills.
• Proven ability to co-manage and grow a team.
• Ability to think and plan strategically to meet multiple deadlines
• Must possess high level interpersonal, cross-cultural skills and be a team player
• Excellent communication skills and fluency (both written and verbal official languages)
• Possess high level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills necessary to build internal and external relations
• Possess excellent public relations skills necessary in dealing with the media, donors and other stakeholders
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office, internet and WVI databases
• Must be a committed Christian, able to stand above denominational diversities.

Other Core Competencies: 
•    Be Safe and Resilient
•    Learn and Develop
•    Deliver Results
•    Be Accountable
•    Improve and Innovate

Working Environment / Conditions:
•    Domestic Travel including field work:  60% travel within Area Program and project areas is required with 35% in office. 
•    On call:  5% in emergency situations, the position will be required to be on-call. 

REMUNERATION: Competitive with market standards
 
Application Requirements:
Please upload your CV and covering letter with copies of educational certificates, transcripts and national ID. You are requested to provide, on your CV, full details of three referees (two professional and one spiritual) plus one HR Practitioner. The required details are full referees’ names, designation, email address and contact numbers. 
 
Closing Date: 16th November, 2025
As a child-focused organization, World Vision Lesotho is committed to the protection and well-being of children. We follow strict child safeguarding policies and conduct thorough background checks, including criminal record checks, to ensure a safe environment for children.
World Vision Lesotho is an equal opportunity employer and upholds Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles. WORLD VISION DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY FORM OF PAYMENT FOR A JOB OFFER OR OTHER RELATED CONSIDERATIONS

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local Applicants Only