Communications Officer at African Academy of Sciences

The Communications Officer – Media will be responsible for supporting the efficient implementation of the communications activities, with emphasis on implementation of The AAS’s media projects. The incumbent will support the communications team in the implementation of the Africa Science Desk (ASD) programme.

Responsibilities

Promoting The AAS’ media engagement

• Develop and maintain a media database, facilitate media coverage of The AAS and its grantees and identify opportunities for new partnerships
• Maintain a log of media requests to The Academy from stakeholders
• Track coverage of The AAS ensuring that staff are kept up to date and the communications team can effectively implement and tailor its media engagement activities, accordingly
• Contribute to building and maintaining relationships with related organisations and groups to ensure suitable consultation
• Be able to write press releases, op-eds and make complex science concepts accessible and actionable by the media
• Plan the involvement of media at key The AAS events, including in press briefings, launches, conferences, training workshops and in coordination with key science journalism associations across the continent and other relevant stakeholders
• Contribute to coordinating communications activities for The Academy’s events
• Produce accurate and timely media monitoring reports as required

Delivery of media projects and media engagement

• Work in collaboration with communications to implement the Africa Science Desk (ASD) programme, specifically to:
• Issue monthly calls for journalists’ applications, conduct internal triage, application reviews, and feedback loop from reviewers to applicants
• Follow up with funded journalists to ensure they meet the required timelines for publishing their stories and that stories are read and accessed by wide and varying audiences
• Implement M&E plan, developing tools and a workplan to monitor the progress of the project and collect, review and check data for monitoring progress for adherence to M&E requirements including developing a report on this for the donor
• Maintain a database of project beneficiaries and applicants
• Produce quarterly reports to track the implementation of the project to allow communications to tailor implementation in response to emerging needs

Organisational citizenship and team work

• Demonstrate commitment to The Academy’s mission, vision and values
• Actively seek to understand, communicate and support organisational goals to all stakeholders, internally and externally
• Ensure a high level of confidentiality and integrity, liaise with others in a professional, respectful and constructive manner
• Attend staff meetings where required
• Assist with programmes and operational activities where required

Qualifications

• A minimum of an undergraduate degree in communications and media, science or equivalent with two years’ experience in science communication. The applicant must be able to demonstrate an ability to translate complex scientific issues to a wide range of audiences
• Must be able to work independently with little supervision, but also participate as a team member in accomplishment of duties
• An understanding of organisational finances and budget processes
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Computer proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, Internet search skills and ability to learn new applications quickly
• Knowledge and experience of science, science journalism and science communication
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Problem-solving and planning/organisational skills
• Personal motivation
• Experience in project management, and research methods and has programme assessment capabilities
• An understanding of social media