Communications Managers at African Population And Health Research Center (APHRC)

 Duties and Responsibilities

The ideal candidate will be an outstanding mentor, able to both supervise and delegate with authority, and be a nimble and innovative user of knowledge to drive change. The role is responsible for delivering technical communications support in external and internal communications including content generation, storytelling, writing and editing, media engagement for mainstream and digital media, formal and informal training in various communications skills, to help highly technical and specialized research professionals improve their ability to effectively reach a variety of lay audiences. The ideal candidate should be able to think creatively, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They will be expected to guide and mentor a team of communications professionals.

For the roles in the Synergy Unit, the candidate should also be able to translate large amounts of evidence and data into products and formats that are easy to consume for lay audiences.

Internal Communications (Synergy and Visibility)

• Serve as an editor, supporting copy and content editing for a variety of products emanating from programs/projects and/or a variety of corporate communications products.
• Direct and/or facilitate in-house training on public speaking, communications and media engagement for program staff.

Content Generation and Knowledge Translation (Synergy and Visibility)

Visibility Unit:

• Lead, develop and produce visibility products including promotional brochures, website content, newsletters and annual report.
• Lead and develop of innovative multimedia products including infographics, short films and animations.
• Write, edit, and distribute content, including publications, press releases, website content, op-eds, annual reports, speeches, newsletters and other marketing materials that communicate APHRC’s activities.
• Ensure that all published content is delivered to high standards, within budget, and complies with the Center’s curation guidelines.
• Ensure the APHRC brand is understood and complied with by all staff, in all external and internal communications.

Synergy Unit:

• Develop and implement communication and campaign strategies for various programs.
• Leading development and conceptualization of products/outputs that communicate findings from various programs.
• Contribute to the development of reader-friendly knowledge translation products such as briefs and fact sheets.
• Contribute to policy discussions and events with both internal and external audiences.
• Lead, organize and facilitate events, webinars and knowledge translation for various teams at the Center and stakeholders while sometimes working with communication teams from partner organizations.

 Media Relations (Visibility)

• Lead media outreach including development and implementation of a media strategy that includes pitches, field visits and responding to ad hoc media requests.
• Facilitate engagement with media for profiling of the Center’s work through media pitches.
• Lead monitoring of social media for any press / journalist requests APHRC might respond to.
• Respond in a timely manner to queries from national and international media.
• Package stories and information enabling us to pitch to print and online media.
• Arrange interviews and / or connect journalists with spokespeople from across the APHRC family.
• Lead and oversee the APHRC media database.
• Lead and oversee media monitoring.

Digital Communication (Visibility)

• Lead or contribute to the delivery of the Center’s social media strategy.
• Oversee or support the management of APHRC’s various social media accounts, in liaison with the communications officers.
• Oversee generation of project-specific social media content to highlight key findings, events, milestones.
• Create interactive and engaging content that is tailored to a range of audiences.
• Write compelling content for the website and social media, complying with APHRC’s editorial standards.
• Ensure the APHRC website is regularly updated. S/he will be responsible for consistency and quality control.
• Maintain a high standard for copy and content, meeting brand and style guidelines.
• Lead multimedia productions including video, photography and design.
• Coordinate visibility and online campaigns with other APHRC regional offices and implementing partners.

 Additional Functions (Synergy and Visibility)

• Lead on wider partner and stakeholder management and engagement, as well as mapping external audiences for APHRC content.
• Contribute to the development of new branded assets to meet the needs of the Center -liaise with designers and external suppliers to ensure assets are produced on time, in budget, and to the required standard.
• Commission design work and asset production while supervising consultants.
• Produce reports for partners and donors.
• Oversee the management APHRC’s digital photo library, and ensure the correct details are included (proof of consent, photographer credit, etc.) when they are uploaded.
• Support the coordination of specific events and represent the organization externally when relevant.
• Perform any other tasks required to advance the Center’s communications objectives.

 Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

• Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing or a related field.
• At least twelve (12) years’ work experience in communications, writing and content creation, preferably at an international organization in a communications role.
• Excellent editing and writing skills as well as ability to translate complex scientific facts into accessible messages for general audiences.
• Knowledge of multimedia skills including photography and videography.
• Experience of social media and community management, and of adapting a message to different audiences.
• Excellent existing network of media contacts.
• Excellent verbal communication, and ability to train and mentor.
• Demonstrated willingness to work as part of a team.
• Networking, interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills coupled with resourceful initiative and maturity of judgment.
• Knowledge of graphic design and desktop publishing, including Microsoft Publisher, and Adobe or Corel suites.
• Knowledge or understanding of project management is an added advantage.