Job Vacancy: Communications Officer – APHRC

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is an African-led and Africa-based international research institution headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. APHRC conducts policy-relevant research on population, health, education, urbanization and related development issues in sub-Saharan Africa.

APHRC seeks to recruit seven (7) Communications Officers to join the Policy Engagement and Communication (PEC) Program. These are new roles arising from the implementation of the current five-year strategic plan which has, subsequently triggered tremendous growth in our programs. We are looking for individuals who are creative, organized, highly motivated, results-oriented, and great communicators who will help bring lasting evidence-based change in Africa. The successful candidates will contribute to knowledge translation and policy engagement efforts in collaboration, working in close collaboration with program teams.

One (1) position will be based in the Advocacy Unit which promotes the use of evidence-based decision making, carries out capacity strengthening of strategic stakeholders within the African policy ecosystem and strengthens partnerships with key stakeholders in the policy landscape in the region to influence and drive policy action. Five (5) positions will be based in the Synergy Unit which contributes to and collaborates with researchers on the translation of research evidence into different formats for technical and non-academic audiences. It also positions our evidence and experts, contributing to raising the profile of the Center. One (1) position will be based in the Visibility Unit which is responsible for the Center’s corporate communications and manages the APHRC brand to enhance the Center’s profile as a thought leader in evidence-based policy formulation, showcasing impact through policy engagement and creating awareness within Africa’s research and development (R&D) ecosystem. Position holders will play similar roles, with a few differences, based on the objectives i.e. Center-level (visibility) or project-level (advocacy and synergy).

Duties and Responsibilities

Cross-Cutting

• Collaborate in developing and implementing communications strategies to achieve the overall APHRC goals, producing and disseminating various communications materials, including brochures, posters, infographics, audio-visuals, and policy documents.

Content Generation

• Write, edit and distribute content, including corporate, research findings and project related material ranging from publications, blogs, articles, press releases, case studies, and human-interest stories, website content, op-eds, annual reports, speeches, newsletters, project reports and policy documents.
• Ensure that all published content is delivered to high standards, within budget and in compliance with the Center’s curation guidelines.

Media Relations

• Developing press and communication materials for media events using research study findings.
• Nurturing strategic relationships and engagement with critical national and international media networks to ensure comprehensive coverage and profiling of APHRC’s research and other work through pitching.
• Researching, writing up, and editing in-house publications, including blogs, articles, report summaries, case studies, and human-interest stories.
• Monitor all media including social media for any press / journalist requests for APHRC’s response.
• Respond in a timely manner to queries from local and national media.
• Package stories and information enabling us to pitch to print and online media.
• Organizing events for journalists to sensitize and create awareness of APHRC research.
• Arrange interviews and / or connect journalists with spokespeople from across the APHRC family.
• Grow and manage APHRC’s media database.
• Conduct media monitoring and produce quarterly reports.

Digital Communications

• Work with the Communications Manager to develop and deliver the Center’s or project-specific social media strategy.
• Manage APHRC’s social media account, with the support and input of the Communication Manager.
• 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.
• With the support of the Communications Manager, ensure the APHRC website is regularly updated.
• Maintain a high standard for copy and content, meeting brand and style guidelines.
• Collaborate and manage multimedia productions including video, photography and design.
• Supervise digital communications interns working in PEC.
• Coordinate visibility and online campaigns with other APHRC regional offices and implementing partners.

Additional Functions

• Support the Communication Manager with wider partner stakeholder management and engagement, as well as mapping external audiences for APHRC content.
• Support the Communication Manager to optimally position the APHRC brand internally and externally.
• Support 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.
• Support the Communication Manager to commission design work and asset production: complete order forms and process invoices / expense claims, according to APHRC procedure.
• Manage and oversee APHRC’s digital photo library working with the Multimedia Officers. Ensure the correct details are included (proof of consent, photographer credit, etc.) when they are uploaded.
• Monitor press coverage and social media metrics using specific tools.
• Support the coordination of specific events and represent the organization externally when relevant.
• Procuring outsourced communications-related services such as graphic design and videography.
• Performing other tasks as may be assigned.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• A first degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or related field.
• 3-5 years relevant experience in a communications role.
• Strong writing, editing and verbal skills; excellent attention to detail.
• Experience of social media and community management, and of adapting a message to different audiences.
• Experience of website management and content management systems.
• Good time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently in mobilizing media coverage and producing quality communication material.
• Networking, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills coupled with resourcefulness and initiative.
• Project management and research communication skills / experience in graphic design and audio-visual production are 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 V in our scales.