Tawanda Makawa

• Developed regional omnichannel communications strategy improving stakeholder engagement by 100%.
• Led digital transformation project enhancing communication strategies through social media and web integration.
• Led efforts to align platforms with UNESCO's branding standards, enhancing overall cohesion by 30%.
• Initiated monthly regional newsletter, The Baobab, reaching over 5000 email recipients.
• Engineered innovative strategies, achieving a 75% contribution in content from staff and collaborators.
• Enhanced the organization's resource mobilization by developing compelling narratives and donor-centered strategies, significantly boosting fundraising efforts.
• Fostered strategic alliances with industry leaders and private stakeholders, enhancing resource mobilization opportunities.
• Directed teamwork with UNESCO sectors to create a digital annual report, cutting production costs by 80%.
• Mentored team of 10 communications officers to boost performance.
• Spearheaded media campaigns to establish relationships with over 100 journalists across Africa.
• Advise top executives with strategic insights into vital regulatory, political, economic and societal topics supporting informed decision processes.
• Managed media analysis regionally to evaluate perceptions of UNESCO’s efforts.
• Partnered with creative teams to produce design concepts for campaigns that effectively communicated key messages.

• Spearheaded creation of communications strategy for USAID Resilience ANCHORS project.
• Worked with partners to create monthly content shared with USAID Zimbabwe.
• Ensured compliance with USAID branding guidelines across all marketing content, enhancing uniformity by 100%.
• Directed media relations initiatives, engaging over 50 Zimbabwean journalists in diverse project aspects.
• Coordinated drafting and finalization of MOUs with Government of Zimbabwe.
• Facilitated the project launch across national, provincial, district, and ward levels reaching over 300 delegates.
• Assisted development of new initiatives by drafting strategic proposals and concepts.
• Forged strategic collaborations with private sector organizations, securing financial and in-kind contributions worth approximately USD 1 million.
• Worked alongside team members to create routine progress reports, enhancing donor satisfaction by 20%.
• Enhanced storytelling, report writing, and brand compliance skills for over 10 colleagues.
• Guided leaders and partners on critical political, economic and programmatic issues globally.
• Assisted in comprehensive programme planning, emphasizing implementation and systematic evaluation.
• Contributed to the review process of 20+ partner proposals, enabling the identification of 5 final collaborators.
• Conducted baseline studies in collaboration with Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, resulting in development of Indicator Progress Tracking Tool benchmarks.
• Facilitated learning and knowledge management activities on a quarterly basis.

• Designed indicators, logical frameworks, and implementation plans for Cyclone Idai Recovery and Restoration projects funded by USAID, EU, and UNDP.
• Generated progress reports for programs in alignment with donor and partnership specifications.
• Assisted program staff in coordinating field activities.
• Advanced skills of 8 M & E Assistants, leading to superior reporting standards.
• Pioneered development of national newsletter alongside social media accounts, achieving doubled follower growth within half a year.
• Crafted initial National Office Communications strategy defining primary priorities, enhancing organizational visibility.
• Contributed to securing over US$3 million for cyclone-affected communities in Zimbabwe through proposal development.
• Acted as National Emergency Communications Contact, distributing cyclone Idai press releases to over 20 media outlets.
• Compiled a comprehensive booklet on the impact of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe.
• Authored over 20 impact stories detailing CARE interventions in Zimbabwe.
• Completed evaluations for three Cyclone Idai projects backed by multiple donors.

Supported an $85.5 million USAID grant, ENSURE, and National Office Communications and Grants Unit.

• Facilitated seamless communication strategies among consortium entities including World Vision, CARE, SNV and SAFIRE.
• Created content including articles, videos, and a story-booklet based on project documentation.
• Directed creation of impactful content across diverse digital channels on behalf of World Vision.
• Managed production and dissemination of the project's quarterly newsletter reaching 20,000 recipients.
• Spearheaded creation, execution, and tracking of a communication and visibility strategy for enhanced project insight among partners and the Government of Zimbabwe.
• Conducted field visits to collect program-related data.
• Produced a variety of IEC materials for improved communication.
• Collaborated with program managers and technical leads to develop technical documents.
• Captured and contributed over 1000 photos and 100 video clips from field visits to enhance project resource bank.

• Facilitated nationwide events supporting the Ending Child Marriages campaign objectives.
• Managed the strategic communications initiative at the National Office, achieving outreach to 90% of stakeholders with customized messages.
• Orchestrated targeted social media initiatives, driving a significant increase in audience engagement by over 700%.
• Executed storytelling strategies that resulted in raising over 300,000 pounds for project implementation.
• Collaborated with the regional office to generate over US$20 million in funding for critical aid programs in Zimbabwe.
• Facilitated report generation for more than 8 donors across various sectors including health, livelihoods, agriculture, education, and WASH.
• Provided expertise to enhance skills of 50+ journalists in reporting critical themes like food security, agriculture and child welfare.
• Conducted training sessions for 30+ staff members in communication, report writing, and photography.
• Oversaw branding compliance for donor guidelines across various projects.
• Coordinated over 20 events at national and regional levels to ensure media coverage.
• Contributed to development of compelling content and visuals for internal and external communications.
• Developed cost-effective strategies for funding communication activities.

• Crafted and implemented organization’s strategy for communication and marketing.
• Managed creation and execution of multimedia content for more than 10 clients.
• Performed comprehensive market research for leading clients Baker’s Inn, Total Energies, Texas Meats, and Engen Fuels.
• Facilitated corporate events for high-profile organizations such as Baker’s Inn, Philips, Nedbank, and Oxfam.
• Managed and executed strategic campaigns for major corporations.
• Established strong media relations with journalists across different beats.
• Managed client photography campaigns for marketing.
• Sourced and Pitched for new business
• Led Customer Relationship Management efforts which saw us retain over 80% of business in 5 years
• Trained staff on key communication and marketing areas