Objectives of the assignment

• To conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current communication landscape within the education sector.
• To develop a costed, data-informed, evidence-based and results-oriented Transformative Communications Strategy for the Education Sector (2025-2030) to improve communication of MoE’s education transformation agenda at national and sub-national levels, in alignment with the Ministry’s NESIP (2020-2030) and MIP-1 (2021-2030) education-specific deliverables.
• To recommend innovative and practical communication tactics, technologies, channels, tools and platforms for effective information dissemination and stakeholder engagement at national

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Conduct a secondary data review of relevant education and communication legislative instruments, education policies, guidelines, strategies, journals, communication materials, digital and traditional communication platforms, and relevant studies.
• Understand the communication needs, interests, concerns, capacities and limitations related to each stakeholder at national and sub-national level.
• Understand the communication and political context, stakeholder perceptions, the education sector’s reputation, and prevailing crisis communication and issue management approaches and protocols.
• Conduct an in-depth assessment of the current communication practices (including field consultations in Mangochi, Blantyre and Mzuzu), trends and benchmarks at national and sub national levels of the education sector, including comparative advantages, current communication efforts, available communication platforms, gaps and challenges, stakeholder analysis, target audience analysis, channel analysis, content analysis and SWOT analysis.
• Conduct key analyses relevant to communication and specific to the Ministry and education sector, i.e. Situation Analysis, Political Analysis, Behavioural Analysis, Competitive Analysis, Perception and Reputation Analysis, and Crisis Communication and Issue Management Analysis.
• Validate data/information collected from different primary and secondary sources.
• Drawing on data obtained from the Ministry’s Education Management Information System (EMIS), the 2023 Education Sector Report (ESR), NESIP, National Education Policy and other related strategic policy documents, develop a data-informed, evidence-based and results-oriented Transformative Communications Strategy for the Education Sector (2025-2030) with clearly defined goals; segmented target audiences; key messages; positioning statements and overall narrative; and strategies for stakeholder engagement, crisis communication and issue management, including all related supporting materials (i.e. designs, templates, audiovisuals, etc.).
• Develop a detailed and actionable Strategy Implementation Plan with timelines, responsibilities, resource allocations and budget projections.
• Recommend appropriate communication strategies for identifying, assessing and mitigating risks.
• Establish a robust Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework for measuring and tracking the impact of the communication strategy, detailing key performance indicators, data collection methods, and mechanisms for incorporation and application of stakeholder feedback on communication activities.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Academic qualification:

Master’s degree in communication, Social Science or other related field. Candidates with a PhD will have an added advantage.

Work experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in developing communication strategies for public and multinational private sector institutions.

Technical skills, knowledge and strength areas: 

• Demonstrable track record and proven work experience in the field of strategic communication.
• Proven expertise in sectoral analyses, stakeholder engagement and communication planning.
• Relevant and demonstrated knowledge of effective communication tools, technologies, and practices.
• Expertise and experience in qualitative and quantitative research, designing communication and behavioural change strategies, operational plans, and MEL Frameworks.
• Solid understanding of Malawi’s education sector, context and communication landscape will have an added advantage.
• Strong oral and written communication skills to present complex material in an easily understandable way.
• Excellent analytical and writing capacity in English.
• Ability to work flexibly in sometimes challenging situations and to establish good working cooperation with Government and development partners.
• Excellent workshop facilitation skills.