ORGANISATION OVERVIEW

The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is a non-profit, public charity organisation that supports strengthens and promotes science innovation in Africa. The goal of the SFA Foundation is to address the continent’s most pressing developmental needs by generating scientific knowledge that solves problems and informs decision-making.

We serve the African research ecosystem by funding excellent research and innovation ideas; enabling interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, building and reinforcing environments that are conducive for scientists to thrive and producing quality research that generates new, locally relevant knowledge.

The SFA Foundation takes a holistic approach to the development of science. Our programmatic initiatives are crafted to cater to the entire science ecosystem and span across the value chain from early discovery sciences to translation sciences and target cross-cutting gaps.

Our commitment to strengthening the entire research ecosystem is reflected in the creation of major science and innovation programmes implemented through a well-established grant-making scheme, advocacy, and promotion of scientific excellence, emphasis on intra-Africa collaboration and evidence-based policymaking mechanisms.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Position Title	Head of Corporate Communications & Sustainability
Department	Professional Services
Reporting To	Chief Operating Officer
Position Location	Nairobi, Kenya

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability will serve as the strategic architect of the SFA Foundation's communications ecosystem, to enhance visibility, reputation and impact across multiple stakeholders. The role holder is expected to develop and execute a comprehensive corporate communications strategy that aligns with the Foundation's mission to advance scientific development across the African continent, design narrative frameworks that effectively communicate the Foundation's impact to funders, partners, grantees, and the broader scientific community. Develop a cohesive digital strategy and demonstrate the transformative impact of the Foundation's corporate sustainability initiatives and catalysing sustainable funding partnerships essential for continued growth and impact.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with the Foundation's mission to advance scientific development across the African continent.
• Lead the Foundation’s internal and external communications, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives. 
• Closely work with Science Communications to design narrative frameworks that effectively communicate the Foundation's impact to funders, partners, beneficiaries, and the broader scientific community.
• Craft compelling messaging positions the SFA Foundation as a catalyst for scientific innovation and sustainable development.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the corporate communications department, including providing leadership and managing the corporate communication staff. 
• Develop and manage corporate communications and corporate social initiatives (CSI) activities for the Foundation in consultation with the Chief Operating Officer and in line with budgetary guidelines. 
• Work as part of the Management team to share ideas and improve operations, recommending, supporting, and implementing continuous improvement activities and process and procedure improvements to optimise results and improve the quality of internal communications. 
• Develop annual departmental operations plans, budget, staffing and infrastructure, performance targets and monitoring and evaluation in line with organisational strategy, plan and budget.

Corporate Communications 

• Lead the creation of a compelling SFA Foundation brand narrative that resonates with diverse audiences across Africa and globally.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to design and execute a pan-African communication and marketing strategy that showcases SFA Foundation's strengths in advancing research and innovation across the continent.
• Support resource mobilisation efforts by developing targeted communication materials for potential funding partners, including government agencies, foundations, corporations, and other continental-level income streams.
• Create and implement a comprehensive media relations strategy, cultivating strong relationships with relevant journalists across both traditional and digital platforms.
• Establish, document, and enforce clear communications policies, editorial guidelines, and brand standards.
• Contribute to the organisation's sustainability initiatives through strategic communication support and stakeholder engagement.
• Coordinate the production of impactful annual reports that effectively communicate the Foundation's achievements, impact and financial performance.

Engagement and Outreach

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and senior leadership on matters relating to brand reputation, crisis response, and executive visibility.
• Support the office of the CEO in executive communication and public engagements, not limited to preparing speeches, talking points, and ensuring the messages are clear and impactful.
• Lead the strategic use of a broad range of communications tools, including events, media engagement, digital media, multimedia etc. to ensure sustained brand visibility.
• Lead the development and implementation of communications plans for the Foundation’s involvement in major regional and global events as required.
• Lead internal communication strategies, plans, and tactics in support of the other departments and teams.
• Translate SFA Foundation’s mission and programme matrix into concrete, tangible storylines with high human interest and impact.
• Represent the Foundation in key regional and global forums, conferences, and high-level panels to promote its mission and impact.
• Facilitate internal capacity building through skills development programs focused on communication techniques.

Media Relations & Public Affairs

• Cultivate strategic relationships with journalists, industry publications, and mainstream media outlets.
• Position the Foundation leadership as thought leaders through targeted placements, interviews, and speaking opportunities.
• Develop crisis communications protocols to safeguard organisational reputation. 
• Manage crisis communications to protect organisational reputation and maintain stakeholder trust through prepared statements, media response coordination, and transparent communication practices.

Editorial, Digital Presence & Platform Management

• Orchestrate a cohesive digital strategy spanning the Foundation's website, social media channels, and emerging platforms.
• In liaison with Science Communications, convert the Foundation's digital assets into powerful storytelling tools that showcase research breakthroughs and programme outcomes.
• Implement data-driven approaches to optimise digital engagement and conversion metrics.
• Direct all editorial workflows and digital content publication across platforms, maintaining brand voice consistency and strategic alignment.
• Produce compelling, authoritative content across diverse formats (articles, white papers, reports, multimedia) while applying rigorous editorial standards to ensure exceptional quality, accuracy, and relevance to target audiences.
• Create and implement a comprehensive digital roadmap connecting all SFA Foundation communication assets. Regularly refine this strategy to maximise cross-platform synergy, audience growth, and content engagement.
• Lead data-driven decision making through robust monitoring and evaluation systems. Conduct regular analysis of key performance indicators and deliver actionable insights to continuously optimise digital presence.
• Harness sophisticated digital intelligence tools including audience segmentation analytics, social listening technologies, and engagement metrics to enhance content targeting, relevance, and overall impact.
• Pioneer adoption of cutting-edge digital formats and technologies—including podcast production, short-form video content, and AI-augmented publishing tools—specifically designed to resonate with African audiences both on the continent and throughout the diaspora.

Impact Communication & Funding Acceleration

• In collaboration with Science Communications, translate complex scientific achievements into accessible narratives that resonate with potential funders.
• Create compelling case studies, impact reports, and visual assets that demonstrate the Foundation's value proposition.
• Collaborate with development teams to produce persuasive materials for grant applications and funder pitches.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Academic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in communication, Public Health or any Science related field.
• Bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Additional qualifications or certification in science communication, public policy, or sustainability is an added advantage.

Professional Qualifications

• Member of a relevant reputable professional institution. 

Experience

• At least 10 years of experience in corporate communications/public relations and at least seven years in a leadership role. 
• Hands on experience in strategic communications, advocacy, or public diplomacy, preferably in international development programs.
• A proven track record of leading successful communication campaigns on a global scale.
• Strong media engagement and management skills.
• Proven experience supporting C-suite executives, especially in shaping strategic communications, preparing executive-level content, and advising on public engagements.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire and motivate a team.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• A proven track record of applying innovative thinking and strategic approaches
• Sensitivity to the regional, international and multicultural environments in which the SFA Foundation operates.
• Demonstrated experience working with or within research, scientific, academic, or innovation-driven institutions in Africa.
• Experience communicating science to diverse stakeholders, including non-technical audiences.
• Proven experience in managing brand reputation and crisis communications.

Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

• An excellent communicator, with fluency in English coupled with digital fluency and working knowledge of French is desirable.
• Must have a high level of integrity.
• Must understand and demonstrate the Foundation’s values such as respect, accountability, excellence, diversity and inclusion. 
• Must demonstrate the ability to build strategic relationships.
• Must be an effective communicator and have excellent problem-solving skills.
• Must be a critical thinker and innovative.
• Must demonstrate the ability to make decisions, plan, organise and manage work.
• Must have a high level of adaptability, engagement readiness and fast thinking.
• Must have the capability to initiate action and keen on quality.
• Must be attentive to detail.
• Must demonstrate the ability to collaborate and build trust with others.
• Ability to translate high-level strategic vision into clear, impactful communication that resonates with both internal stakeholders and external audiences, including policymakers, media, and funders.

Leadership Competencies

• Must have proven and demonstrated leadership skills such as delegating responsibilities, developing others, facilitating change and leading through vision and values.
• Must possess the ability to build a successful team.
• Must demonstrate the ability to manage stakeholders.

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Should you meet the competencies above, please submit a cover letter and a current Curriculum Vitae not exceeding 5 pages including three professional referees to [email protected]

The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit. The documents should be saved in MS Word or PDF in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (mmyy) e.g., DeusWan-CV-092022-SFA Foundation or Deus-Wan-CoverLetter-092022-SFA Foundation.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED ON A ROLLING BASIS.

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SFA Foundation has a commitment to safeguarding people and environment and this forms part of our background checks.