Responsibilities or duties

The Communications Officer is responsible for implementing day-to-day communication activities, translating research into accessible content, and supporting knowledge translation, communication and monitoring systems to enhance visibility, stakeholder engagement, and policy influence. The Communications Officer will play a central role in strengthening the visibility, uptake, and policy impact of APHRC’s work. The role combines strategic communication with high-quality multimedia production to translate complex scientific evidence into accessible, compelling, and policy-relevant content for diverse audiences.

Content development & research translation

• Translate research findings into clear, engaging, and non-technical content
• Develop and draft: Policy briefs (support role); Blogs and articles; News features and web content and Social media posts
• Provide strategic leadership that will lead to the development of multimedia content
• Ensure a consistent flow of content that provides insights into the outcomes and impact of the APHRC’s research
• Play a critical role in shaping how the APHRC tells its story and a coordinated or joined up approach to the research’s impact journey
• Design infographics and dashboards to simplify complex data
• Develop high-level presentation decks for policy audiences
• Produce short explainer videos and key message briefs

Digital engagement and documentation

• Manage and update: Website content; Social media platforms; Email newsletters, newsletter updates
• Optimize content for engagement and reach
• Support digital storytelling for diverse audiences
• Run digital campaigns aligned with policy priorities

Media relations support and engagement

• Support coordination of: Media interviews and Press briefings
• Implement targeted media engagement (op-eds, policy journalism) to amplify policy influence
• Maintain and update media contact lists for the consortium
• Work with communications leads to ensure research insights reach broader audiences (via press releases, social media, webinars). Draft: Press releases and Media advisories
• Maintain an active online presence (website updates, policy blogs) to amplify impact

Event communication & visibility

• Support communication for policy dialogues, workshops and conferences
• Develop event materials such as programs, banners and presentations
• Provide live coverage (social media, photography, summaries)
• Liaise with multimedia to develop multimedia content for events

Strengthen knowledge documentation

• Develop communication toolkits for projects (existing and new projects)
• Prepare standard decks and key messages identified for each work package
• Identify and map the audiences and corresponding channels
• Conduct structured knowledge capture sessions with research teams to translate technical outputs into clear positioning narratives

Coordinating a communication network

• Facilitate collaboration and sharing information within partners for collaborative projects
• Ensure consistent and coherent messaging across all channels and stakeholders

Policy and funder engagement

• Support the implementation of policy engagement activities to raise the profile of the project among key stakeholders, including policymakers, funders, and the broader scientific community
• Support the program team’s engagement with funders to communicate the impact and success of the initiative, fostering strong relationships and securing ongoing support
• Support the program team in preparing reports by providing editorial oversight and contributing communications content for the funder’s report

Reporting and budgeting

• Prepare regular reports on communication activities, outcomes, and impact for internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field. A degree in science communication, journalism, or a relevant discipline is highly desirable
• Proven ability to develop and execute communication strategies that align with project or organizational goals and effectively promote scientific and policy engagement initiatives
• Excellent writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to produce high-quality content for various platforms, including web, social media, and print
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders, including funders, policymakers, and the scientific community
• Experience in managing media relations, including building relationships with journalists and securing media coverage for research and policy engagement initiatives
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and budgets simultaneously
• Proficient in using digital tools and platforms for communication, including social media management, website content management systems, and multimedia production
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team and collaborate with diverse stakeholders
• Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign preferred
• Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of French or other African Union languages is an advantage.

Experience needed

• At least five years’ experience in a multi-country project and working with partners from different countries

• Translate research findings into clear, engaging, and non-technical content
• Develop and draft: Policy briefs (support role); Blogs and articles; News features and web content and Social media posts
• Provide strategic leadership that will lead to the development of multimedia content
• Ensure a consistent flow of content that provides insights into the outcomes and impact of the APHRC’s research
• Play a critical role in shaping how the APHRC tells its story and a coordinated or joined up approach to the research’s impact journey
• Design infographics and dashboards to simplify complex data
• Develop high-level presentation decks for policy audiences
• Produce short explainer videos and key message briefs
• Manage and update: Website content; Social media platforms; Email newsletters, newsletter updates
• Optimize content for engagement and reach
• Support digital storytelling for diverse audiences
• Run digital campaigns aligned with policy priorities
• Support coordination of: Media interviews and Press briefings
• Implement targeted media engagement (op-eds, policy journalism) to amplify policy influence
• Maintain and update media contact lists for the consortium
• Work with communications leads to ensure research insights reach broader audiences (via press releases, social media, webinars). Draft: Press releases and Media advisories
• Maintain an active online presence (website updates, policy blogs) to amplify impact
• Support communication for policy dialogues, workshops and conferences
• Develop event materials such as programs, banners and presentations
• Provide live coverage (social media, photography, summaries)
• Liaise with multimedia to develop multimedia content for events
• Develop communication toolkits for projects (existing and new projects)
• Prepare standard decks and key messages identified for each work package
• Identify and map the audiences and corresponding channels
• Conduct structured knowledge capture sessions with research teams to translate technical outputs into clear positioning narratives
• Facilitate collaboration and sharing information within partners for collaborative projects
• Ensure consistent and coherent messaging across all channels and stakeholders
• Support the implementation of policy engagement activities to raise the profile of the project among key stakeholders, including policymakers, funders, and the broader scientific community
• Support the program team’s engagement with funders to communicate the impact and success of the initiative, fostering strong relationships and securing ongoing support
• Support the program team in preparing reports by providing editorial oversight and contributing communications content for the funder’s report
• Prepare regular reports on communication activities, outcomes, and impact for internal and external stakeholders.

• Proven ability to develop and execute communication strategies that align with project or organizational goals and effectively promote scientific and policy engagement initiatives
• Excellent writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to produce high-quality content for various platforms, including web, social media, and print
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders, including funders, policymakers, and the scientific community
• Experience in managing media relations, including building relationships with journalists and securing media coverage for research and policy engagement initiatives
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and budgets simultaneously
• Proficient in using digital tools and platforms for communication, including social media management, website content management systems, and multimedia production
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team and collaborate with diverse stakeholders
• Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign preferred
• Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of French or other African Union languages is an advantage.

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field. A degree in science communication, journalism, or a relevant discipline is highly desirable