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

Duties/Responsibilities:

Content Generation

• Write, edit and distribute content, including publications, press releases, website content, fact sheets, policy briefs, newsletters and other marketing materials that communicate Catalyze project activities.
• In coordination with the Visibility Unit, ensure that all published content is delivered to high standards, within budget and in compliance with the agreed curation guidelines.
• Support the Policy Advocacy and Communications Manager to ensure the Catalyze project goals are understood by internal and external stakeholders.
• Utilize multimedia products for greater engagement of online audiences.
• Monitor and analyze the impact of multimedia content, using metrics and analytics tools to assess audience engagement and reach.

Digital Communications

• Manage Catalyze project’s social media content in liaison with the Multimedia Officer, and ensure that content is shared on APHRC’s social media platforms.
• Create interactive and engaging content that is tailored to a range of audiences.
• Write compelling copy for the website and social media, complying with APHRC’s editorial standards.
• Work with the Multimedia Officer to ensure the Catalyze project’s webpage is regularly updated. S/he will be responsible for consistency and quality control.
• Maintain a high standard for copy and content, meeting APHRC’s brand and style guidelines.
• Lead multimedia productions including video, photography and design.

Internal Communications

• Support in copy and content editing of various project products.
• Manage an editorial calendar to ensure project staff are participating in relevant forums and producing targeted, high-quality content for the website and social media platforms.
• Coordinate and collate information for the weekly and monthly updates and ensure timely dissemination of the same.
• Ensure an updated calendar of events is in place as well as a ready-to-go information pack for APHRC’s Policy Engagement and Communications Division.

Media Relations

• In collaboration with APHRC’s Visibility Unit, facilitate engagement with media for profiling of the project’s work through media pitches.
• Package stories and information enabling us to pitch to print and online media.

Qualifications, experience and skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism or related field.
• At least 7 years’ relevant experience in a communications role.
• Strong writing and editing skills; excellent attention to detail; experience of writing for the web.
• Experience of social media and community management, and of adapting a message to different audiences.
• Experience of website management.
• Good time management and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, content management systems and social media platforms.
• Experience in graphic design and audio-visual production is an added advantage.

The ideal candidate should be able to think creatively, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

This position is classified under Nationally Recruited Positions (NRP), Grade III in our scales.