Advocacy and Communications Officer at African Population And Health Research Center (APHRC)

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement an integrated 360 degrees advocacy and communications strategy for the DataDENT 2.0 project;
• Manage the DataDENT brand and ensure the brand guidelines are up to date and that all DataDENT products and collateral are on brand;
• Develop content and lead in the design of research briefs, fact sheets and other communication/advocacy collateral in liaison with country implementing partners and DataDENT management;
• Manage media relations, support the delivery of press opportunities and social media engagement for project partners, staff and other stakeholders;
• Coordinate input and develop content for the DataDENT website while working with the web manager to update content;
• Maintain, update and actively use social media tools and sites (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) for regular initiatives of the project;
• Coordinate the advocacy and communication activities for the Community of Practice including ensuring that the database of members is up to date and organize the communication schedule;
• Manage the production of advocacy and communication collateral for the Community of Practice including posters, reports, email and the drop box;
• Provide technical guidance on how to use media and communications to advance upcoming technical and programmatic activities;
• Provide capacity strengthening sessions for relevant content related to the project;
• Attend regular advocacy and communication, technical and other meetings assigned, and provide input based on lessons from past media and communications activities including social media;
• Participate in, and provide direction on project’s advocacy communication at country and regional levels and also lead capacity strengthening;
• Develop a schedule for capacity strengthening for the COP and DataDENT and drive implementation;
• Engage with stakeholders and the DataDENT team on policy engagement and how to communicate and advocate for the nutrition data value chain;
• Lead the production of any documentation that will be used for publicity, visibility and advocacy; and
• Conduct monitoring and impact evaluation of advocacy communications activities.

Qualifications, experience and skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, advocacy, communications, public relations or related field.
• At least three (3) years of post-qualification experience in advocacy, communications and public relations, preferably in an international organization.
• Understanding of graphic design and desktop publishing, including Microsoft Publisher and Adobe or Corel suites.
• Visual media skills including use of still and video camera; ability to develop video storyboards and basic editing.
• Excellent editing and writing skills as well as ability to translate complex scientific facts into accessible messages for general audiences.
• Proficiency in MS Office, content management systems and social media platforms.
• Networking, interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills coupled with resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written. The ideal candidate should be able to think creatively, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.