Communications Officer

• Support the development and implementation of communications strategies for programs
• Write, edit, and produce publications and communications products, including blogs and news articles
• Contribute to the design of reports, policy briefs, presentations, brochures, newsletters, and the flagship institutional magazine
• Promote media engagement and track media coverage
• Assist in managing the AFIDEP website and social media. Provide overall quality control for platforms and ensure content is current, comprehensive, and follows relevant metadata standards
• Provide communications support for events
• Manage communications databases; keeping mailing lists and key contacts organized
• Capture, edit, and organize photos and videos
• Conduct opinion and attitude surveys to identify the impact of interventions on key stakeholders served by the organization
• Perform other related duties, as required

• At least one year of professional experience in a communications position*
• Excellent writing and editing skills with experience producing documents for external audiences, such as academic research, policy briefs, news releases, articles, or blogs*
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and/or Premiere Pro*
• Master’s degree in communications, media studies, international relations, or other related field
• Experience managing digital communications for an organization including social media, website, and/or blogs
• Strong public speaking skills, with experience delivering trainings, presentations, or workshops
• Demonstrated experience in the use of webinar and e-learning software for virtual engagement and training, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Big marker, or Adobe Connect
• Analytical and critical thinking skills
• Demonstrates sound judgment
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, results-oriented, accountable, and attentive to detail
• Demonstrates persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to work under pressure

Established in 2010, the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is an African-led, non-profit research and policy institute. Its mission is to promote the development and institutionalization of a culture of evidence utilization in the public sector, and to bridge the gaps between research, policy, and practice in development efforts in Africa. We contribute to the realization of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by enabling the use of evidence in the formulation of development policies and Programmes. To do this, we undertake activities in three areas: 1) enabling governments and other stakeholders to address individual, institutional, and systemic barriers to the use of evidence in decision-making; 2) translating evidence and promoting its utilization in decision-making; and 3) strengthening the capacity of researchers and knowledge intermediaries in evidence translation and policy engagement.

Our research addresses specific questions to provide evidence that is relevant to the policy process and program implementation. Our priority focus areas are: population change and the demographic dividend, social and human capital development (health, transformative education, and gender), inclusive economic growth, environment and climate change, and governance and accountability.