Vacancy Announcement: Research Communications Officer – Partnerships Unit, Samuel Hall
Samuel Hall is seeking a highly motivated individual to join its team for a full-time position as a Research Communications Officer, to work under the Partnerships Unit and report to the Partnerships Director. They will be responsible for helping Samuel Hall to reach new audiences, raise its profile and advocate for refugees, migrants, displaced people and marginalized communities in the Global South. The Research Communications Officer will help to drive research dissemination and project delivery for the world’s leading development and humanitarian actors across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Who We Are
Our research connects the voices of communities to changemakers for more inclusive societies. Samuel Hall is a social enterprise that conducts research, evaluates programmes and designs policies in contexts of migration and displacement. Our approach is ethical, academically rigorous, and based on first-hand experience of complex and fragile settings. With offices in Afghanistan, Germany, Kenya, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates, we are based in the regions we study.
We have over ten years’ experience in 70+ countries and have become a trusted partner and leading voice in the field of migration and displacement research, working with governments, donors, multilateral organizations and NGOs, as well public and private sector entities. It’s an exciting time for Samuel Hall – we were recently selected by Stanford University as one of the Global South’s high-potential, fast-growth social enterprises. For more information, please visit www.samuelhall.org.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: We work in a fast-paced, demanding, and challenging environment – you will be expected to grow with us and carve out your own spot in the team. We look for proactive, creative individuals who find opportunities to make their mark and identify solutions to problems. We look for strong leaders and reliable team-players who can add value from the very start, expand our knowledge and help us to maximize our social impact.
Tasks & Responsibilities
1 – Research Dissemination & Project Communications
● Plan tailored dissemination strategies around research, conferences, papers or events with senior researchers
● Media strategy development, training and delivery to raise the profile of Samuel Hall and its work
● Pitching stories and proactively finding opportunities and angles, writing and distributing press releases and opinion editorials
● Drafting and/or editing research, brochures and thought-leadership outputs in line with our style guide and methodological standards
● Content creation – web copy, blog posts, opinion editorials
● Identify, commission and work with external communications agencies on specific project dissemination.
● Providing effective counsel to the world’s leading development and humanitarian actors; contributing to communications and dissemination strategies for flagship projects and multi-year research consortia
● Working with graphic design agencies and freelancers
● Support with conceptualizing creative events and execution
2 – New Business Development
● Develop relationships with advocacy focal points in client / partner organizations
● Preparing for client meetings and new business pitches
● Developing materials and briefing documents ahead of partner, donor and networking meetings.
● Drafting and contributing to positioning pieces to enable regular and effective engagement with partners.
Opportunities for Growth
Working at Samuel Hall means that you are contributing to ground-breaking, innovative, and rigorous work that bridges research, implementation and policy. Most of our training happens on the job, but as part of our investment in learning and development, everyone is encouraged to apply for up to five days of paid professional development leave and financial resources to enable them to acquire new skills and knowledge. We commit to helping you to:
● Grow within the organization, with gradual increases in responsibility and accountability, and exposure to our different roles within the Development Unit.
● Grow to become a sought-after focal point for development and humanitarian actors, with the opportunity for continued learning, and the chance to become a key voice in your area of expertise.
● Grow your personal and professional network as we expand our list of partners.
The Development Unit is a new and expanding team within Samuel Hall that rewards ambition. Whatever your personal career goals, there is a real opportunity to help shape the strategic direction of the organization and to contribute directly to our continued growth.
Vacancy Requirements
Required
● 2-3 years’ relevant industry experience with knowledge of key donors, institutional frameworks and stakeholders and/or research in contexts of migration, displacement, and international development
● Excellent spoken and written skills in English (French, Arabic and/or additional languages a plus)
● Confident presentation and speaking skills, with the ability to build strong professional relationships
● Track record of delivering results with a deep understanding of media relations and the press
● Strategic thinking and a keen attention to detail
● Team player who can thrive in a global environment
● Ability to cope under pressure, work occasionally irregular hours and meet tight deadlines
● Proactive and able to work under own initiative
● Appetite for knowledge and improvement
Desirable
● Marketing and events experience
● Design skills and/or video editing experience
● Proficiency with any of the following tools: InDesign, Mailchimp, Squarespace, Venngage
● Past experience specific to the Middle East and North Africa, Central/South Asia and/or the East and Horn of Africa
Location: Remote
Position: Research Communications Officer
Contract duration: 12 months, renewable, with a trial period
Vacancy closure: Open until filled
Email for submission: careers@samuelhall.org
How to apply All applicants should send their cover letter and CV in separate PDF files, each labelled: “CL/CV – Full
name of Applicant” with the email subject line clearly expressed: “Name – Research and Proposal Writing Assistant.” Three samples of relevant work and three references should also be included.
More details: https://www.samuelhall.org/careers
Samuel Hall is an equal opportunities employer. Applicants who do not follow the required format will not be considered. Only selected applicants will be notified, and interviews are conducted on a rolling basis.
