Bright Phiri
Summary
Communications and Health promotions Specialist with 20+ years of experience in NGOs and academic institutions. Proven expertise in content creation, planning, and workshop facilitation. Recognized with excellence awards for outstanding achievements. Skilled in media and communications, advocacy, budget planning and execution, and networking. Proficient in MS Office suite.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Communications and Strategy Manager
Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
Lusaka
02.2023 - 09.2024
- Led Communications and Engagement Teams while managing strategy for a broad issue portfolio
- Collaborated with senior management to create new strategies and initiatives.
- Developed detailed project plans to ensure successful execution of strategy initiatives.
- Created and maintained relationships with external stakeholders such as vendors, suppliers, customers.
- Provided leadership in the development of long-term objectives and short-term goals.
- Managed budgets and resources associated with strategic initiatives.
- Worked closely with department heads to ensure alignment between strategy and operations.
- Established metrics for tracking effectiveness of tactics related to strategies.
- Coordinated internal communication efforts around strategy changes or updates.
- Led team meetings to review progress on current initiatives and brainstorm ideas for future ones.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Recruited and trained new employees to meet job requirements.
- Reviewed employee performance and provided ongoing feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement.
- Produced thorough, accurate and timely reports of project activities.
- Interviewed prospective employees and provided input to HR on hiring decisions.
- Planned and led team meetings to review business results and communicate new and ongoing priorities.
- Mediated conflicts between employees and facilitated effective resolutions to disputes.
- Created and managed budgets for travel, training, and team-building activities.
- Implemented quality control measures to uphold company standards.
Team Lead – Communications an Community Engagement
ICAP at Columbia University
Johannesburg
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Managed and provided technical guidance for the design of impactful communication, advocacy, and community engagement strategies.
- Provided leadership and guidance to team members, ensuring that tasks were completed on time and to a high standard.
- Developed strategies to increase team productivity and improve customer service levels.
- Conducted performance appraisals for team members, providing feedback and identifying areas of improvement.
- Trained new staff in relevant processes and procedures.
- Resolved escalated customer complaints or queries promptly and efficiently.
- Ensured compliance with company policies and procedures throughout the team.
- Monitored team performance against targets, taking corrective action where necessary.
- Identified opportunities for process improvements, implementing changes when required.
- Assisted the manager in setting achievable goals for the team while monitoring progress towards them.
- Created detailed reports on team activities as requested by management.
- Motivated staff through positive reinforcement techniques.
- Analyzed data from various sources to identify trends or patterns in customer behavior.
- Held regular one-on-one coaching sessions with staff members to encourage personal development.
- Reviewed existing systems and procedures regularly, suggesting ways they could be improved or optimized.
- Monitored team progress and enforced deadlines.
- Offered training and support to keep team members motivated and working toward objectives.
- Promoted to leadership position in recognition of strong work ethic and provided exceptional customer service.
- Facilitated team meetings to discuss targets, strategies, and address any issues.
- Championed the adoption of new technologies to improve team productivity and service delivery.
- Negotiated with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms and improve bottom-line results.
- Managed conflict resolution within the team to maintain a positive work environment.
- Collaborated with other departments to streamline processes and improve interdepartmental cooperation.
- Implemented strategic plans to enhance team performance and productivity.
- Coordinated daily operations, ensuring team adherence to company policies and procedures.
- Established clear team goals aligned with company objectives, tracking progress regularly.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and efficiency.
- Maintained open lines of communication with senior management, reporting team progress and challenges.
- Monitored team workload to prevent burnout and ensure equitable task distribution.
- Maintained positive working relationship with fellow staff and management.
- Created plans to propose solutions to problems related to efficiency, costs or profits.
Regional Communications and Community Mobilisation Advisor
ICAP at Columbia University
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Created a universal communication plan adopted by all 15 countries surveyed, leading to significant savings in company efforts and expenses.
Communications Specialist
Management Sciences for Health
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Responsibilities: Provide strategic technical assistance, leadership, and direction for all project communications to strengthen program implementation and disseminate progress and results.
Knowledge Manager
Futures Group International
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Responsibilities: Knowledge Manager responsible for internal and external communications including the development and design and implementation of a knowledge management strategy and related activities
Regional Coordinator - Communications and Publications
Southern African AIDS Trust
01.2008 - 01.2012
- Responsibilities: Managing the SAT Communications and Publications department, one immediate subordinate and six matrix supported programme coordinators outside of South Africa
Regional HIV and AIDS Programme Advisor
Swedish/Norwegian HIV/AIDS Team for Africa
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Managed development cooperation work by processing funding applications from international and regional partner NGOs.
Education
Master of Public Health-Social and Behaviour Change Communications -
University of the Witwatersrand
Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management -
University of the Witwatersrand
Masters in Media studies -
University of Natal
Honours in Media Studies -
University of Natal
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communications -
University of Zambia
Skills
- Media and communications
- Development of information, education, and communication materials
- Editing and proofreading
- Advocacy
- Workshop planning and facilitation
- Program and grants management
- Budget planning and execution
- Public relations
- Networking
- Computer literacy (MS Office suite)
References
Can be provided on request.
Contactdetails
brightphiri68@gmail.com, 0714232949
Personalinformation
Male, SA Permanent Residence, Driver’s licence
Languages
English
First Language
Timeline
Communications and Strategy Manager
Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
02.2023 - 09.2024
Team Lead – Communications an Community Engagement
ICAP at Columbia University
01.2018 - 01.2022
Regional Communications and Community Mobilisation Advisor
ICAP at Columbia University
01.2015 - 01.2017
Communications Specialist
Management Sciences for Health
01.2013 - 01.2015
Knowledge Manager
Futures Group International
01.2012 - 01.2013
Regional Coordinator - Communications and Publications
Southern African AIDS Trust
01.2008 - 01.2012
Regional HIV and AIDS Programme Advisor
Swedish/Norwegian HIV/AIDS Team for Africa
01.2003 - 01.2007
Master of Public Health-Social and Behaviour Change Communications -
University of the Witwatersrand
Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management -
University of the Witwatersrand
Masters in Media studies -
University of Natal
Honours in Media Studies -
University of Natal
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communications -
University of Zambia
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