Working at the British High Commission in Lusaka offers unrivalled opportunity to be part of the strong and historic relationship between the UK and Zambia. The Political and Communications team at the High Commission plays a crucial role in maintaining and developing that relationship.  

We are looking for an innovative and energetic Communications and Campaigns Officer to develop digital and traditional media outreach in Zambia on behalf of the British High Commission. 

The Communications and Campaigns role provides an essential function, leading day-to-day communications for the entire mission. You will be using communications in a creative and strategic way to deliver the activity which supports the bilateral relationship between the UK and Zambia. 

The successful candidate will report to the Second Secretary and support the whole mission in the delivery of strategic communications in Zambia in line with UK government priorities in Zambia and across the world.  

You will be supported by the wider Political and Governance team but have responsibility for and lead the digital and traditional communication strategy, using evidence and analysis to drive forward activity. You will work closely alongside the British High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner, Development Partners, British Council, Defence Advisor, and BHC Political Section to support our campaigns, programmes and soft power initiatives providing a cross-coordinating role for the whole mission. You will nurture and cultivate media partnerships to promote our activity at the British High Commission, building our ‘UKinZambia’ brand. 

This is a creative and challenging role responsible for coordinating all aspects of our traditional and online media outreach in Zambia. You will develop eye-catching and innovative content for the High Commission’s social media pages and support content creation for the High Commissioner’s accounts, develop dedicated digital channels, draft media plans and messaging, develop calendars, and creating engaging online material (e.g. infographics, GIF). 

The successful candidate will be a confident and proactive person, having a proven track record and the skills to identify and engage a range of target audiences via traditional media, PR and online. A flexible and cooperative team approach, as well as good interpersonal and communication skills are essential. 

This role will provide a breadth experience into a range of communications, it would suit a creative character, but results driven with an interest in politics and international relations, excellent communication skills and a positive, flexible, can-do attitude. 

Roles and responsibilities 

The job holder will work closely with the whole HMG team focusing on developing and maintaining communications activities, including the High Commissions media presence, official website, social media channels, and PR efforts. 
 
These activities would include (but not be limited to):

• Engaging collaboratively with key media partners and developing joint approaches for teams across the High Commission and developing the ‘UKinZambia’ brand. You will need to work collaboratively as our main point of contact for all communications instructions from London and Africa communications team.
• With support from the Political Team, implement, evolve and drive the BHC Communications Strategy, refreshed in 2025.
• Lead on digital media for the High Commission to drive forward and support our political and development objectives. Include, but will not be limited to social media management, basic photo and video production, creative graphic design, research and content gathering, and forward communications planning.  
• Assist in the production of creative digital contents such as photos, graphics, and basic videos. Manage the day-to-day administration of UK in Zambia’s official social media accounts including Facebook and X and support the High Commissioner’s X account.
• Use the communications budget to support in the creation of high-quality, professional video content for the British High Commission for specific campaigns or key moments (eg. King’s Birthday Party).
• Produce daily media monitoring of Zambian media, including newspapers, radio, and TV.
• Providing data analysis and monthly evaluation of our digital and other media activities.
• Support events and visits organised by the High Commission by shooting live videos and photography as well as creating social media content for the ‘UKinZambia’ social media channels.
• Maintaining the communications calendar and forward look for campaigns and priorities across HMG colleagues including Defence, Development, and the British Council.
• Ad hoc tasks in support of the political team, and wider High Commission team, including organising meetings, and media logistics for events.
• Always represent the British High Commission with professionalism and respect.
• Build a wider contact base within Zambian media to assist in placing of traditional media, for example op-eds and press releases, for the British High Commission, inviting press to events and ensuring coverage of the UK’s activities in Zambia. Provide advice to the High Commissioner and the Political Team in relation to the Zambian media.  
• Act as liaison between Zambian media and the British High Commissioner and her staff.  

Resources managed (staff and expenditure) 

• A small, dedicated communications and PR budget is available for deployment

• Flexible, adaptable, and proactive with good problem-solving and organisational skills
• Proven ability to create and deliver communications creatively  
• Good IT skills – MS Office: Outlook, Excel, Word, MS Teams
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral
• Digital and social media experience
• Fluent English