Chileshe Chilambwe -Mwansa
Lusaka,Zambia
Summary
Dynamic communications professional with extensive experience in public relations, media management, and strategic communication within the humanitarian, health, and public sectors.
Adept at crafting and executing high-impact strategies across social media, digital media, and advertising. Exceptional expertise in quality assurance, content production, backed by advanced training in graphic design, website management, and media innovation.
Supervise teams, manage complex communication projects, and contribute to organisational strategy and policy development. Expertise spans media relations, content creation, crisis communication, and strategic planning, valuable asset in advancing organisational missions through effective communication.
Currently serving as the Communications and Reports Officer at the World Food Programme Zambia, specialised in developing and executing country-specific communication strategies, managing high-profile relationships, and producing impactful reports and visibility content to support fundraising and advocacy efforts.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Communications and Reports Officer
World Food Programme
Lusaka, Zambia
02.2023 - Current
- Am charged with developing and implementing country-specific communication work plans designed to maintain and enhance visibility and reputation of WFP, as well as support fundraising activities ensuring alignment with overall communications and WFP strategies.
- Current role includes being Relationship Manager for WFP Goodwill Ambassador Programme. Currently managing relationship between WFP and WASSERMAN agency which manages Leicester City footballer Patson Daka who is currently WFP Zambia Goodwill Ambassador.
- Facilitate smooth communications between departments for better coordination.
- Facilitate collation of relevant information and data from media and local internal and external sources to facilitate and maximize exchange of information and data flow between functional area networks in WFP, to provide operational awareness and understanding of events that may have humanitarian and/or operational impact.
- Enhance WFP brand visibility by creating and implementing annual strategic communications plans.
- Actively participate in community engagement initiatives fostering good relations between WFP, government, partners and communities WF serves.
- Facilitate content creation process from concept to completion, achieving cohesive messaging across all WFP Zambia platforms.
- Developed digital content strategy to improve online presence.
- Strengthened internal communications for enhanced employee engagement.
- Lead team in organising high-profile corporate events, enhancing brand image.
- Coordinated cross-departmental communication efforts, ensuring smooth information flow.
- Monitor team budgets and forecasts to deliver against annual targets.
- Oversee maintenance of contact list of journalists and media outlets and support flow of news/information about WFP’s work to media, to support regular and appropriate communications. For example, after joining WFP Zambia in 2023, ensured unit developed Media Map (which was non-existent), which alongside Donor Map developed by partnerships unit is being used as one of effective communications tools as country office.
- Built positive, productive relationships with local and international media outlets to maximise WFP brand exposure.
- Supervise 5 junior members of staff under portfolio and ensure inclusive and collaborative work environment. Focal point of referral and support them with more complex analyses and queries.
- Facilitated smooth communications between departments for better coordination.
Communications Specialist
Centre for Infectious Disease Reserach in Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia
12.2019 - 01.2023
- Supervised all Communication Staff and resources in all CIDRZ project offices to achieve departmental objectives in line with strategic plan and communication policy.
- Trained new hires on effective communication techniques for improved customer interactions at CIDRZ supported health facilities.
- Managed all CIDRZ PR and Social Media campaigns for all projects with support from team. In 2020, created 3 more CIDRZ social media accounts (Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube) in addition to two already existing accounts (Facebook and Twitter), this has increased CIDRZ Social media Audience reach from 26.8 % as of December,2019 to 72% as of December,2021.
- Handled media queries promptly maintaining positive relations with press representatives.
- Wrote compelling speeches for senior management and press releases to draw media attention towards company events and initiatives.
- Managed communications and branding for three of CIDRZ biggest projects (USA CHEKUP - $ 45 Million, USA ECAP III - $19.5 Million and USA TBLON $10 Million project Grants).
- Collaborated with CIDRZ Research and Business Development, Grants and Contracts Department to source for grants and funding opportunities and proofread funding proposals.
- Managed Communication and branding for partners and Funders – MOH, PEPFAR, CDC, USAID, WHO, EDCTP, Gates Foundation, UAB, NIH and PATH
- Communication Lead for Enteric Disease and Vaccines Research Unit (EDVRU), to provide visibility to stakeholders by reporting on unit’s activities and achievements on various CIDRZ Communication platforms, in line with organization’s Communications policy and guidelines.
- Responsible for development of Stakeholder Communication and Crisis Communication Plans for different projects under CIDRZ.
- Gathered information and develop required concepts for organizational and programme specific internal and external communication strategies and plans.
- Facilitated design, layout and editing of annual reports to ensure that Website and Hard copies are produced timely (http://www.cidrz.org/media-centre/annual-reports/). Other articles published can also be accessed from CIDRZ website at www.cidrz.org.
- Built robust relationships with key influencers in industry for maximising brand visibility during Hand-face- space campaign and male circumcision campaign 2021 ans 2022 digital media campaigns respectively.
- Produced Month on Month (MoM) social media analysis reports.
- Monitored all press releases, speeches by CIDRZ to ensure availability on website in real time or shortly after dissemination or delivered through other platforms.
- Coordinated successful product launches, boosting brand awareness in target markets.
- Managed crisis situations during Covid 19 pandemic in 2020and 2021, minimising negative publicity for company.
- Developed and implemented communication strategies including media outreach and content creation.
Public Relations and Parliamentary Liaison Officer
Office of the Public Protector - Govt of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia
12.2015 - 11.2019
- As Public Relations and Parliamentary Liaison Officer at Office of the Public Protector, as the first and only employee in communications unit since the institution’s inception. Charged with making all technical and operational decisions regarding unit, developing communication policy, branding and guidelines, and building brand identity for Office of the Public Protector after its transition from Commission for Investigations in 2016.
- Responsible for formulation of institutional policy papers for external partnership collaboration
- Coordinated production of brochures, newsletters, documentaries, videos, and other communication material to facilitate dissemination of information.
- Ensured timely archiving of media reports, videos, and publications to facilitate storage and retrieval of information. Managed institution Website and Facebook page.
- Successfully planned and coordinated African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA) Executive Committee meeting and training, a programme that run for five days with representation from twelve countries around Africa.
- Facilitated planning and coordination of Public Relations events to create awareness on functions and operations of Office.
- Worked closely with management teams-enabled effective strategic planning.
- Managed sensitive information professionally to uphold confidentiality standards.
- Liaised between departments to facilitate smooth information flow.
- Liaised with National Assembly on activities and reforms that involve Office.
- Liaised with other government ministries and institutions on behalf of Office.
- Coordinated compilation of Annual report and circulation to National Assembly
- Coordinated meetings between stakeholders, improved communication and understanding.
- Assisted in planning of company events, boosted employee morale and engagement.
- Generated correspondence and press releases to generate brand-aligned messaging.
- Conducted public presentations and prepared materials.
- Planned, developed and implemented robust PR strategies to manage brand reputation.
- Established relationship with media, organised press conferences and worked closely with news teams.
Public Relations Assistant
Kafubu Water and Sanitation Company
Ndola, Zambia
09.2014 - 11.2015
- Formulated strategies and action plans to ensure effective attainment of corporate objectives. Prepared yearly company communication and marketing plan.
- Undertook public sensitizations and awareness campaigns to safeguard company interests and responded to press queries and issue press statements after consultation form supervisor.
- Work with customer service unit to ensure all customer complaints are resolved within service level agreed time of not more than 7 days after complaint is lodged.
- Produce Newsletters and Brochures, video and audio material for company promotions including speech writing for company executives.
- Administrative Role involving updating, maintaining, and monitoring company website, Facebook page and all notice boards.
- Compiling departmental monthly, quarterly, and annual reports
- As Assistant Public Relations Officer at Kafubu Water and Sewerage I instituted and facilitated Public Relations Campaign in Peri-Urban of company’s operational areas (Kawama, Chipulukusu, Kaloko, Kantolomba and KX), to build company’s image and increase revenue collection dubbed ‘Splash It’, campaign was carried out in period of six months and at the end of the program the company increased its revenue collection from 36% to 64% in Peri- Urban areas
- Liaised with marketing department to synchronise PR activities with promotional strategies.
- Ensured accuracy in public messaging by proofreading all company communications.
- Responded promptly to press enquiries, ensuring positive media relations.
- Assisted in developing annual PR plan which led to consistent messaging across all channels.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communications
University of Zambia
Zambia 06.2010 - 10.2014
Certificate of Higher Education - Grade 12 School leavers Certificate
Dominican Convent Secondary School
Zambia 01.2004 - 11.2008
Skills
- Leadership excellence
- Stakeholder management
- Adobe creative suite mastery and Microsoft Office Suite
- Digital marketing proficiency, Social media management and Search Engine Optimisation
- Public relation campaign, strategic communication planning, Crisis communication planning and management
- Multimedia content production
- Public speaking
- Media relations, pitching and Media buying strategy
Timeline
Communications and Reports Officer
World Food Programme
02.2023 - Current
Communications Specialist
Centre for Infectious Disease Reserach in Zambia
12.2019 - 01.2023
Public Relations and Parliamentary Liaison Officer
Office of the Public Protector - Govt of Zambia
12.2015 - 11.2019
Public Relations Assistant
Kafubu Water and Sanitation Company
09.2014 - 11.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communications
University of Zambia
06.2010 - 10.2014
Certificate of Higher Education - Grade 12 School leavers Certificate
Dominican Convent Secondary School
01.2004 - 11.2008