Career Opportunities at African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)

This position mainly entails coordination and management of knowledge translation and capacity building programmes. The holder of the position will coordinate the implementation of research projects, contribute to advocacy for application of research finding in decision-making, and carry out scientific writing, proposal writing and dissemination materials. The candidate should possess a minimum of Master’s degree qualifications either in Population Studies (Demography), Education, Health Economics, Development Economics, Public Health, Policy Analysis or Science Communications, and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in research programme management, knowledge translation and policy engagement.

Main Responsibilities

• Coordinate the implementation of research projects including data collection and collation, data analysis and systematic evidence and policy reviews
• Contribute to advocacy for application of research findings in decision-making processes at national, regional, and international levels
• Scientific writing and production of research reports
• Contribute to capacity building in research knowledge translation and synthesis
• Contribute to proposal writing
• Develop and disseminate policy-oriented advocacy materials

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Qualifications

• The candidate should possess a minimum of Master’s degree qualifications either in Population Studies(Demography), Education, Health Economics, Development Economics, Public Health, Policy Analysis or Science Communications.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in research programme management, knowledge translation and policy engagement
• Proven track record of scientific writing
• Practical experience in synthesising and translating research evidence into outputs that are usable by policymakers
• Proven experience in developing policy-oriented advocacy materials
• Past experience in monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes
• A track record in coordinating research programmes and partnerships.

Skills

• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Critical thinker
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English. Additional official language such as French will be an added advantage.

Additional information: The above positions will be for a period of 2 years, renewable depending on performance, continued need of the Institute and availability of funding. A competitive remuneration package will be offered commensurate with qualifications, skills and experience.

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Knowledge Translation Scientist is needed in the following areas:

1. Education and skills development
2. Population change and sustainable development (Demographic Dividend)
3. Health System Strengthening - Health Economics

The Knowledge Translation Scientist role entails providing leadership in development and implementation of knowledge translation and capacity building programmes, and promoting use of the evidence in decision-making processes at national and regional levels. This is a senior technical position with professional accountabilities to partners and technical functions at the institute. The successful candidate will be expected to lead various programmes implementation initiatives besides resource mobilisation activities. The candidate should possess a PhD in either of the following: Population Studies (Demography), Education, Health Economics or Development Economics. The candidate should also have strong qualitative and quantitative research skills; have a record of accomplishment in publications, grants proposal writing and hands-on experience in policy analysis, synthesising and translating research evidence into outputs that can be easily used by policymakers and in policy engagement.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualisation, design and implementation of research, capacity building and policy engagement programmes
• Conduct research evidence synthesis including systematic reviews
• Conduct research evidence translation into policy-oriented advocacy materials
• Promote application of research findings in decision-making processes at national, regional, and international levels
• Proposal writing and fundraising
• Scientific writing for various research knowledge consumers and publishing policy-oriented research in journals

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Qualifications

• Candidate should have a PhD in either of the following; Population Studies (Demography), Education, Health Economics or Development Economics.

Skills

• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Critical thinker
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English (additional skills in French desirable).
• Strong interpersonal skills with effective team management skills
• Strong adaptability skills to changing research evidence environment

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ postdoctoral professional experience.
• Management and coordination of research programmes and partnerships
• Scientific writing publications.
• Evidence translation and policy analysis
• Engagement of senior policy makers
• Experience in proposal writing and fundraising.
• Monitoring and evaluation of research programmes

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The ideal candidate is passionate about communicating science in a way that brings about change. The candidate has a good appreciation of global development efforts and is committed to using their professional expertise and skills to contribute to tackling some of the world’s most complex development issues. The Senior Communications Officer for Publications and Media Engagement will be the overall in charge of publications development and production, and media engagement.

Main Responsibilities

• Undertake high-level technical editing of research publications including research reports, research briefs, policy briefs, etc., to ensure they are presented in clear, accessible and compelling language.
• Develop policy-oriented publications (policy briefs, factsheets) based on research evidence emerging from AFIDEP’s research synthesis work.
• Develop AFIDEP's institutional publications e.g. brochures, newsletters, annual reports.
• Oversee the design, production and dissemination of all AFIDEP publications.
• Conduct training for AFIDEP staff on effective communication of research to non-scientific audiences.
• Establish and maintain meaningful and productive linkages with the mass media.
• Develop media materials based on evidence generated by AFIDEP including media releases, media kits, Op-Eds, etc.
• Conduct training and other forums for journalists to generate interest and enhance their understanding of research evidence.
• Identify and commission consultants for supporting communication work at the Institute.

Other Responsibilities

• Identify and facilitate AFIDEP's participation in important national and regional policy dialogue forums.
• Contribute to AFIDEP's policy dialogue activities e.g. attend meetings, make presentations.
• Expand AFIDEP's policy links through the establishment of contact with relevant national policymakers and regional bodies and networks.
• Lead or contribute to writing relevant grant proposals for AFIDEP’s communications programme.

Position Requirements

• Masters’ degree in communications or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant communications experience, preferably in a research setting or the development sector.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English (proficiency in French is desirable).
• Experience in developing and producing high impact research publications.
• Hands-on graphics design skills and experience commissioning and working with graphics designers.
• Experience working with the media in enabling research coverage by the media.

The position will be subject to a two-year renewable contract, depending on performance, continued need of the Institute, and availability of funding. Competitive remuneration package will be offered commensurate with qualifications and experience.