Industry Guide: Media & Communications Employment in Lusaka
An overview of the employment landscape, key hiring entities, and core professional pathways within the journalism, broadcasting, corporate communications, and public relations sectors of Zambia’s capital.
1. Types of Jobs Available
- Public Relations & Corporate Communications Specialists: Strategic professionals responsible for managing an organization’s public image, drafting press releases, coordinating stakeholder engagement, and executing crisis management strategies.
- Journalists, Reporters & Editors: Content-gathering professionals working across print, television, radio, and digital platforms to write, investigate, and edit local and international news.
- Broadcasting Presenters & Producers: On-air talent and behind-the-scenes coordinators managing daily programming, audio/visual quality, and live shows for radio and television stations.
- Digital Content Creators & Social Media Managers: Creatives who design multimedia assets, draft engaging digital copy, and run campaign logistics across social media channels for brands and agencies.
- Media Relations Managers: Specialized advisors who act as the direct link between corporate or government entities and the press, ensuring accurate and positive media coverage.
2. Key Hiring Entities in Lusaka
| Hiring Entity | Focus Area | Key Offices / Location |
| Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) | State-owned public broadcaster; the country’s largest television and radio network | Mass Media Complex, Alick Nkhata Road, Lusaka |
| Zambia Daily Mail & Times of Zambia | Major state-owned print and digital newspapers with massive distribution | Longacres / CBD, Lusaka |
| Private Broadcasters (e.g., Diamond TV, Prime TV, Hot FM, Phoenix FM) | High-impact private television and commercial radio stations | Lusaka |
| Corporate PR & Communication Departments | Large corporations (e.g., telecom providers, commercial banks, mining offices) | Lusaka CBD / Great East Road Corridor |
| NGOs and International Agencies (e.g., UN Agencies, USAID Projects) | Development communication, advocacy, and social behavior change programs | Kabulonga / Ibex Hill, Lusaka |
3. Essential Recruitment & Hiring Information
- The Recruitment Process: Sourcing for media and communication roles heavily prioritizes practical execution. Journalists and content creators are hired based on a robust portfolio of published articles, showreels, or design work. Corporate communications candidates typically undergo rigorous writing tests, presentation challenges, and corporate crisis-simulation exercises.
- Legal & Professional Mandate: Public relations and communication practitioners are legally regulated under the Zambia Institute of Public Relations and Communication (ZIPRC) Act No. 11 of 2022. It is a statutory requirement to register with ZIPRC and hold a valid practicing certificate to work in a PR or communications capacity in Zambia. For broadcasters, stations and individual programs operate under strict compliance codes governed by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA).
- Qualifications and Entry: A Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication, Public Relations, Journalism, or Media Studies is the baseline requirement. Corporate and senior PR roles strongly favor candidates who are active members of ZIPRC and hold post-graduate certifications in strategic management, digital marketing, or brand communications.