Job information
The Senior Communications Officer will be responsible for
guiding the communication and policy engagement efforts within AFIDEP’s
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) directorate. This role involves developing
and executing a creative strategy to communicate and influence policies, aiming
to elevate AFIDEP’s recognition as a leading regional development policy
institute. Additionally, the goal is to strengthen the impact of research
evidence in shaping sustainable development processes across Africa.
Key Responsibilities
Communications,
Visibility, and Profiling
- Design and oversee the
implementation of AFIDEP’s SDGs directorate communications and
policy-influencing strategy.
- Oversee the development of a
recognisable AFIDEP brand as a leading policy institute in promoting and
enabling evidence uptake in development efforts in all SDG sectors.
- Support evidence synthesis,
packaging, and use in five areas, namely: population dynamics and
demographic dividend, health and wellbeing, transformative education and
skills development, environment and climate change, and governance and
accountability.
- Identify and develop
relationships with key media outlets to stimulate increased use of
evidence in public policy debates.
- Disseminate evidence and
encourage critical debate on development issues based on evidence.
Partnerships
and Resource Mobilisation
- Build and maintain collaborative
partnerships with governments, academic institutions, research
institutions, implementing agencies, and funders.
- Build relations with potential
end users of evidence and other institutions that generate and promote the
use of research evidence.
Capacity
Strengthening
- Support internal and external
capacity-strengthening efforts aimed at improving the communication and
utilisation of research evidence in decision-making in development
efforts.
Qualification and experience
- A master’s degree in
communications, international relations, public policy, or related fields,
with at least five (5) years of experience in policy research
communication, and advocacy, including at least two years at the
international level.
- Excellent writing and technical
editing skills, especially in policy-oriented publications and media
products.
- Excellent presentation and public
speaking skills.
- Technical skills in publications
design, website management, and social media management.
- Ability to dialogue effectively
with a wide range of audiences/constituencies and to represent the
organisation with authority and credibility.
- Excellent understanding of public
policymaking and legislative processes and the role of research in these
processes.
- Proven skill in translating
research and evidence into effective advocacy strategies that have
achieved policy change at a national or international level.
- Proven success in developing and
delivering effective country, regional, or international policy engagement
and influencing strategies.
- Proven understanding of African
socio-political contexts and global developments, and how this influences
decision-making in the areas of health, population, and development.
- Competency in facilitating
national and international advocacy activities.
How To Apply
Please send a motivation letter indicating your
suitability for the position (include position title on the subject of the
email) and a detailed CV, which should include three relevant referees, to Recruitment@afidep.org not
later than 31st March 2024. Only
shortlisted applicants will be contacted.