Principal Public Relations Officer

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

EXTERNAL VACANCY ADVERT

The Office of the Ombudsman is a public body established under the Republic of Malawi Constitution. Section 123 of the Constitution accords the Office of the Ombudsman the mandate to investigate any and all cases where it is alleged that a person or a group of persons have suffered an injustice and there appears to be no any remedy reasonably available by way of proceedings in a court or by way of appeal from court or where there is no other practicable remedy.

The Office of the Ombudsman is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons to fill the following vacant positions:

Job title: Principal Public Relations Officer
Grade: OMB5
Reporting to: The Ombudsman
Duty Station: Office of the Ombudsman – Headquarters (Lilongwe)

Key roles and responsibilities

1. Developing and implementing comprehensive communications strategy for the Office of the Ombudsman;
2. Serving as an official spokesperson for the Office of the Ombudsman;
3. Serving as a link between the institution and the media to ensure that information about programs, plans, events and activities, are fully covered in requisite media houses;
4. Pitching news with and responding to queries from various media houses;
5. Developing and regularly reviewing public relations and communications
6. Preparing and Circulating relevant information through newsletters, circulars, and online plattorms including social media and website;
7. Disseminating on behalf of Ombudsman, official statements and information to stakeholders;
8. Maintaining, Updating and Reviewing internal and external communication portals, such as website, newsletters and social media pages;
9. Maintaining digital media archives including photos and videos;
10. Monitoring trends in social media tools, applications, channels, designs and strategy to ensure that the Office is well informed;
11. Advising management and staff on all matters relating to communication;
12. Managing media events such as press conferences, outreach activities and media briefings;
13. Liaising with relevant departments in the production of publicity materials such as brochures, in-house magazine and handouts;
14. Editing, managing and delivering the quarterly bulletins and newsletters and related communications for the Office of the Ombudsman;
15. Designing and organizing a variety of inter-personal public relations programmes or events including press conferences, exhibitions, open days and press tours; and
16. Coordinating drafting of annual report for the Office of the Ombudsman.

Qualifications and experience

• Accredited Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, Humanities, Media and Development, and Media and Culture with at least four (4) years’ post-qualification experience in a related field.
• Demonstrable knowledge of communication and PR trends.
• Demonstrable skills in online media content management.
• Demonstrable skills in developing and implementing communications, PR, Media relations and community stakeholder relations strategies.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the Malawi media and PR landscape.
• Knowledge and experience in accountability and oversight functions will be an added advantage.
• Accredited Master’s Degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, Humanities, Media and Development, and Media and Culture will be an added advantage.

Required Competencies and Attributes

• Team Player;
• Public presentation and interaction (effective communication);
• Technical writing;
• Excellent market and customer care skills;
• Public Relations skills;
• Interpersonal skills;
• Confidentiality;
• Integrity; and
• Ability to work with minimum supervision.

Method of application:

Interested candidates should submit applications attaching a Curriculum Vitae, including three traceable referees and copies of certificates, to reach the undersigned not later than 21st September 2026.

The Ombudsman
Office of the Ombudsman
St. Martin’s House
City Centre
Private Bag 348
LILONGWE 3

The applications should be emailed to vacancy@ombudsmanmalawi.org

PLEASE INDICATE ON THE ENVELOPE THE POSITION BEING APPLIED FOR.

ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED.

THOSE WHO PREVIOUSLY APPLIED FOR THE POSITIONS MUST RE-APPLY.

“THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER”