AFIDEP is a non-profit policy research institute whose purpose is to facilitate the synthesis, translation and utilization of research and other evidence in policy-making, programme design, and resource allocation in Africa. AFIDEP, which has its Head office in Nairobi and a branch office in Lilongwe, seeks a highly qualified and self-motivated individual to fill the position of Communications Officer.
The Communications Officer will play a key technical role in implementing our policy engagement and communications (PEC) strategy to raise AFIDEPs profile and impact as a regional development research policy institute. The strategy should be an innovative plan that will raise AFIDEPs profile as a regional development policy institute and enhance the role of research evidence in development processes in Africa.
AFIDEP is a non-profit policy research institute whose purpose is to facilitate the synthesis, translation and utilization of research and other evidence in policy-making, programme design, and resource allocation in Africa. AFIDEP, which has its Head office in Nairobi and a branch office in Lilongwe, seeks a highly qualified and self-motivated individual to fill the position of Communications Officer.
The Communications Officer will play a key technical role in implementing our policy engagement and communications (PEC) strategy to raise AFIDEPs profile and impact as a regional development research policy institute. The strategy should be an innovative plan that will raise AFIDEPs profile as a regional development policy institute and enhance the role of research evidence in development processes in Africa.
Key responsibilities
Communications, Visibility and Profiling
- PEC strategy: Contribute to the design and implementation of AFIDEPs policy engagement and communications strategy.
- Branding: Contribute to the development of a recognizable AFIDEP brand as a leading policy institute in promoting and enabling evidence uptake in development efforts in all sectors, and supporting evidence synthesis and use; Expand AFIDEPs partnerships and facilitate participation in key policy platforms.
- Publications: Create, design, edit and produce content for various institutional and technical publications. Write stories and blogs based on AFIDEPs programmes and projects for publishing in newsletters, AFIDEP website, and other development blogs websites; Prepare content and produce AFIDEPs IEC materials, mainly in relation to programmes in Kenya, and Eastern and West Africa.
- Media and multi-media: Implement a robust media engagement strategy that includes to establish and sustain links and contact with relevant journalists in Kenya and Eastern and West Africa to increase awareness of AFIDEPs work among journalists; Develop media materials based on evidence generated by AFIDEP including media releases, media kits, Op-Eds, etc.; Produce and publish multi-media products (including videos, podcasts, photo-stories, infographics, animations, etc.) in a timely fashion.
- Online presence: Management of AFIDEP website and social media accounts. Contribute to managing the AFIDEP website, ensuring that web content related to our programmes in Kenya and the Eastern and West African regions are well presented and up to date on the website (includes developing content for website). Contribute to managing AFIDEPs social media accounts, ensuring regular and quality content emanating from our work in Kenya and Eastern and West Africa.
- Keep abreast of other emerging social media and web 2.0 tools, taking advantage of these to extend the reach and impact of AFIDEPs work.
- Capacity development in science communication and evidence-informed decision-making
- Contribute to capacity building programmes for AFIDEP staff in science communications and evidence uptake.
- Contribute to the Institutes capacity building programme in evidence-informed decision-making.
Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation of Communications Programme
- Implement a monitoring, learning and evaluation (MLE) plan for AFIDEPs policy engagement and communications (PEC) programme in Kenya, and Eastern and West Africa.
Qualifications
A Masters Degree in Communications, Media or International Relations, with at least 5 years experience in science communications.
- Communication: excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills with ability to convey technical arguments in clear and vivid prose
- Negotiation and networking: ability to negotiate, form and sustain credible strategic alliances
- Knowledgeable: sound knowledge of regional and pan-African development issues; public policies and laws; proven skills in translating research and evidence into effective advocacy
- Technical skills in publications production and design; web design and management
Applicants are invited to submit their CVs, cover letter, and one-page motivation statement.
Terms of employment: The position is an initial contract of 2 years renewable depending on performance, relevance and availability of resources.
AFIDEP is an equal opportunity employer.
Applications should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with Application: Communications Officer AFIDEP as email subject
Deadline: February 15, 2019