Social Media and Communications Volunteer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization dedicated to delivering life-saving food assistance in emergencies while also supporting governments in strengthening food systems, social protection mechanisms, and climate-resilient livelihoods. Established with a mission to end hunger, WFP collaborates closely with governments, UN agencies, civil society, and communities to ensure that food-insecure individuals can meet their basic needs and build long-term resilience. In Zimbabwe, WFP plays a crucial role in supporting national efforts to achieve nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food and nutrition security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through various initiatives, including emergency response, cash-based transfers, school feeding programs, shock-responsive social protection, smallholder farmer support, and community resilience activities. WFP's work in Zimbabwe is characterized by a diverse and evolving portfolio that spans emergency preparedness and response, social protection, resilience building, and technical assistance to the government. The organization emphasizes strategic and effective communication to demonstrate program impact, strengthen accountability, enhance visibility among key stakeholders, and support resource mobilization efforts. The External Relations Unit is responsible for leading these communication and visibility efforts, ensuring that WFP's work, results, and learning are consistently documented and communicated across digital platforms, media channels, donor engagements, and partnerships with government and other stakeholders. Through clear, timely, and compelling communications, the Unit plays a central role in reinforcing WFP's credibility, transparency, and thought leadership.

Job Overview:
The Social Media and Communications Volunteer will support the External Relations function by contributing to high-quality digital content creation, documentation of field activities, results-based storytelling, media engagement support, and social media management. The volunteer will work closely with program teams, cooperating partners, and the External Relations Unit to capture evidence of impact, elevate WFP's visibility, and translate program achievements into engaging, audience-focused communications that reflect WFP's mandate and strategic priorities. This role is essential in ensuring that WFP's initiatives are effectively communicated to a broader audience, thereby enhancing the organization's impact and outreach. The volunteer will be involved in various aspects of communication, including content creation for social media platforms, drafting human interest stories, and supporting media engagement efforts. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for storytelling and engagement, as well as a commitment to maintaining high standards of communication that align with WFP's corporate guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Social Media and Communications Volunteer include supporting the development of compelling content for WFP Zimbabwe's social media platforms such as X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and others as relevant. The volunteer will develop posts, captions, infographics, and short updates that align with WFP corporate guidelines. Additionally, the volunteer will capture field-based stories, photos, and basic video content to support storytelling efforts. Maintaining a content calendar and contributing to planning thematic campaigns (e.g., #ZeroHunger, resilience, school feeding, nutrition) is also part of the role. The volunteer will contribute to drafting human interest stories, success stories, factsheets, newsletters, and web articles, as well as provide support in editing and layout of communication materials. Organizing media field visits and events, including logistics and documentation, is another key responsibility. The volunteer will ensure proper branding and compliance with WFP communications standards across all materials. Monitoring social media engagement, reach, and trends, and compiling monthly analytics reports will also be required. The volunteer will review WFP social media for comments, messages, and public queries, flagging issues appropriately, and identifying opportunities to increase engagement based on insights and analytics. Organizing the communications content library, including photos, videos, and story archives, while ensuring metadata and captioning adhere to WFP's consent and protection protocols, is also part of the role. The volunteer may coordinate internal communication initiatives as needed and perform any other related tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a strong understanding of social media platforms and digital communication strategies. The volunteer should possess excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to create engaging content tailored to various audiences. Familiarity with graphic design tools and video editing software is advantageous. The candidate should demonstrate creativity and a keen eye for detail, as well as the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines are essential. A proactive attitude towards learning and adapting to new communication trends is also important. The volunteer should be comfortable working in a multicultural environment and have a commitment to WFP's mission and values.

Educational Background:
A background in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field is preferred. Candidates should have a strong academic record and relevant coursework or training that supports their ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the role. A degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field will be considered an asset.

Experience:
The position is suitable for individuals with some experience in communications, social media management, or related fields. While prior volunteer experience is beneficial, it is not mandatory. The ideal candidate should demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow in the role, with a passion for humanitarian work and a commitment to making a positive impact in the community.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication within WFP and for external engagement. Knowledge of additional languages, particularly local languages spoken in Zimbabwe, is considered an asset and may enhance the volunteer's ability to connect with diverse communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This is a volunteer position, and as such, it may not offer a traditional salary. However, WFP provides a dynamic, mission-driven environment where the volunteer's work directly contributes to climate resilience, food security, and sustainable livelihoods. The role may involve full-time commitment, and the volunteer will have opportunities to collaborate with government, UN agencies, and communities to drive real change. The living conditions in Zimbabwe are generally peaceful and welcoming, with a vibrant culture and beautiful natural landscapes. The volunteer will have the chance to explore the country during weekends and engage in meaningful development work.