Communications Manager at Education Sub Saharan Africa

Responsibilities 

Project Communications (30%) 

• Develop and implement tailored communication plans for multiple ESSA’s projects, ensuring alignment with project goals and messaging. 
• Collaborate with implementing partners to coordinate communication efforts and maintain consistency across projects. 
• Collaborate with project managers and partners to distil research reports into clear, digestible and audience-specific messages. 
• Lead the development of multimedia project storytelling to enhance engagement and visibility. 

Community Engagement Strategy (25%) 

• Design and implement a comprehensive organisation strategy for community engagement across all projects. 
• Organise and deliver activities that foster collaboration, participation, and knowledge-sharing among researchers. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with researchers and partners to ensure effective dissemination of findings. 
• Facilitate platforms (e.g., webinars, workshops, forums) to connect researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. 

Research (and Impact) Communications (20%) 

• Translate research findings into clear, accessible, and compelling messages for diverse audiences, including researchers, educators, policymakers, and funders. 
• Work with the other members of the communications team to create targeted and innovative strategies that increase the visibility and impact of ESSA’s research. 
• Collaborate with researchers to identify key insights and craft engaging narratives that highlight their work. 
• Produce research-driven content, such as articles, blogs, and opinion pieces, to showcase ESSA’s contributions to the field. 

 Content Management (10%) 

• Lead the development and management of organisation-wide content calendars, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality materials across projects. 
• Create and curate content, including emails, newsletters, social media posts, blogs, and event materials. 
• Ensure all communications meet our quality benchmarks—guiding teams through reviews and flagging inconsistencies. 

 Event Management (5%) 

• Oversee the planning and execution of in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, defining goals, target audiences, and key messages in line with organisational objectives. 
• Oversee the development of event content to drive attendance and engagement. 

Media Strategy (5%) 

• Develop and implement media strategies to enhance the visibility of ESSA’s projects and research. 
• Secure media coverage in country-level, regional, and global outlets, including TV, radio, newspapers, and journals. 

 Internal Communications (5%) 

• Organise and manage internal communication processes, including weekly team meetings with clear agendas and follow-up actions. 
• Ensure smooth information flow within the organisation to support collaboration and decision-making. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL: We are looking for the following attributes, though you may be more experienced in some areas than others. 

Experience 

• A minimum of seven years of experience in strategic communications, ideally within the education or NGO sectors. 
• A proven track record in communicating research, managing project communications, and delivering campaigns that have influenced policymakers, researchers, or donors. Candidates must submit a portfolio demonstrating this experience. 
• Experience in building and engaging research communities is essential. 

Education 

• A bachelors degree in communications or a related social science field.