Job ID: 317687

Scriptwriter

Development Media International (DMI)

Location: Lusaka, Zambia

Apply by: 30 Oct 2026

Relevant Sectors

Communications, Media, Knowledge Management, Editor

Health, Doctors, Nurses, HIV/AIDS

Social, Education, Gender, Youth, Child

Development Media International (DMI) delivers media campaigns aimed at changing behaviours, promoting health and saving lives in developing countries. DMI Zambia is implementing a campaign to encourage couples to attend all antenatal and postnatal appointments and to encourage parents to seek immediate treatment for children with symptoms of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea. DMI Zambia is seeking exceptional scriptwriters to write memorable and engaging 1-minute radio drama scripts that promote the adoption of the desired behaviours.

Term: Consultancy. Reports to: Country Manager. Based in Lusaka, Zambia. Start date: flexible. Fee: per script fee negotiable.

Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with DMI's creative team to brainstorm, develop and refine script ideas that align with campaign themes and objectives, guided by a message brief.
- Write radio drama scripts that are concise, engaging and emotionally resonant with the target audience (parents and caregivers of children aged 0-5 years).
- Incorporate feedback from pretesting sessions to maximize clarity and audience impact.
- Contribute creative ideas for integrating sound effects and music to enhance listener engagement.

Required knowledge, skills and experience:
- Proven experience in radio scriptwriting with a portfolio of engaging, memorable work; less experienced scriptwriters considered if their writing is of a very high standard.
- Strong writing skills, with an ability to convey clear messages in a concise and compelling way.
- Ability to create relatable characters, vivid scenes and emotional connections using only dialogue and sound effects.
- Understanding of local culture and audience, particularly rural audiences.
- Collaborative spirit and openness to feedback.

Desirable: familiarity with maternal and child health topics.

DMI is committed to equality of opportunity and to the protection and safeguarding of vulnerable individuals.

Application deadline: 30th October 2026

HOW TO APPLY:
Apply via the BambooHR careers page: https://developmentmedia.bamboohr.com/careers/141. Submit your CV and a powerful 1-minute radio drama script that convinces parents to take their child to the health centre as soon as malaria symptoms appear (be creative; use humour, drama and emotion). The script can be uploaded as a link in the "blog / website / portfolio" section.