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	Senior Communication Specialist
Department	Corporate and Science Communication
Reporting To	Head of Corporate and Science Communication
Position Location	Nairobi, Kenya

JOB PURPOSE

The Senior Communications Specialist position is responsible for executing communication and dissemination activities for the Africa Pandemic Sciences Collaborative. This initiative invests in boosting Africa’s pandemic research and preparedness to protect and strengthen national and regional healthcare systems across the continent. The role is part of a partnership involving the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation), the Pandemic Sciences Institute at the University of Oxford (PSI), and the Mastercard Foundation. The incumbent must be a proactive individual who takes initiative and drives projects forward with minimal supervision and is able to make decisions.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy for the Africa Pandemic Sciences Collaborative, ensuring alignment with the initiative’s goals and objectives.
• Identify key messages, target audiences, and effective communication channels to maximise the impact of the initiative's activities.
• Collaborate with leadership and key stakeholders to ensure consistent and effective messaging across all platforms.

Supporting Workstreams with Communication

• Provide strategic communication support to various workstreams within the collaborative, ensuring that each has the tools and guidance needed to communicate their activities and outcomes effectively.
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure communication efforts are integrated and aligned with overall collaborative goals.

Building Profile and Influence of Epidemic and Pandemic Sciences Research

• Build and enhance the profile of the Africa Pandemic Sciences Collaborative as a leading initiative in pandemic research and preparedness.
• Promote African-led science and thought leadership on national, continental, and global platforms, targeting academic communities, media, industry, governments, and policy organisations.

Showcasing and Promoting African-led Science

• Highlight the achievements of African pandemic researchers and the impact of their work on addressing pandemic-related challenges.
• Play a critical role in shaping how the SFA Foundation tells its story and that of the initiative's impact journey.
• Support the development of and develop case studies, thought leadership pieces and blogs from programmatic staff, grantees, and fellows for publication on the website and elsewhere.

Supporting Grantee Communication and Internal Stakeholder Engagement

• Assist grantees with their communication needs, ensuring that their work is effectively communicated to relevant audiences.
• Facilitate communication among internal stakeholders within the collaborative, ensuring that information flows smoothly and that all parties are informed and engaged.

Chairing the Collaborative Communication Committee

• Lead the collaborative communication committee and coordinate the activities of the committee, including meeting schedules, agenda-setting, and follow-up actions.
• Prepare and submit regular reports on behalf of the communication committee, detailing progress, challenges, and recommendations.

Supporting Events

• Organise and manage communication aspects of events, workshops, and conferences related to the initiative.
• Provide communication support to ensure the success of events and their alignment with broader strategic goals.
• Develop and maintain an annual events calendar for the programmes, ensuring the communications team is kept up to date of upcoming events and can plan accordingly.

Advocacy and Funder Engagement

• Develop and implement advocacy strategies to engage funders and stakeholders, highlighting the importance and impact of the initiative.
• Collaborate with partners to secure media coverage and public endorsements that support the initiative’s goals.

Knowledge Contribution to Science Communication

• Contribute to the body of knowledge in science communication, sharing insights and best practices within the organisation and the broader research community.
• Stay informed about trends and innovations in science communication, applying this knowledge to enhance the initiative’s impact.
• Connecting dots, and sharing expertise and knowledge with communications teams for other programmes and initiatives within the SFA Foundation.

Reporting and Budgeting

• Manage the Africa Pandemic Sciences Collaborative communication budget, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and that spending is within budgetary limits.
• Develop and manage communication budgets and work plans for the collaborative, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Manage relationships with vendors and contractors, which is crucial for the successful execution of communication activities.
• Prepare regular reports on communication activities, outcomes, and impact for internal and external stakeholders.

Any other duties assigned by the Head of Corporate and Science Communication.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Minimum Academic Qualifications

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in science communication, science journalism, journalism, science or related field from a recognised institution.

Experience

• At least 7–10 years of experience in communications, preferably in a healthcare, research, or non-profit environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes

• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills; experience in media relations and digital communications; ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• An understanding of global health issues, pandemic preparedness, and the African research landscape.
• Strong organisational 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.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and ability to learn new applications quickly.

Leadership Competencies and Personal Attributes

• Ability to see the big picture and develop communication strategies that align with the broader goals of the Africa Pandemic Sciences Collaborative. You should be able to anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and craft messages that resonate with diverse audiences.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific information in a clear, engaging, and accessible manner. You should be adept at tailoring messages to different audiences, including scientists, policymakers, and the public.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities. You should be comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneously and capable of adapting to changing circumstances with a positive attitude.
• A natural collaborator who works well with others, including internal teams, partners, and external stakeholders. You should be able to build and maintain strong relationships, fostering a spirit of cooperation and teamwork.
• Meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that all communications are accurate, professional, and aligned with the initiative’s goals. You should have a keen eye for detail in both content and presentation.
• A creative thinker who is open to new ideas and approaches, particularly in how to communicate science and research. You should be able to develop innovative communication strategies and tactics that make a lasting impact.
• An understanding and appreciation of Africa’s diverse cultures, languages, and contexts.
• A genuine interest in science, public health, and development, with a commitment to contributing to Africa’s pandemic preparedness and research capacity. You should be motivated by the mission of the SFA Foundation.

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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.

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS WEDNESDAY, 30 OCTOBER 2024

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