INTERNAL ADVERT- ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is an African-led and Africa-based international research institution headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. APHRC conducts policy-relevant research on population, health, education, urbanization and related development issues in sub-Saharan Africa.

Data for Decisions to Expand Nutrition Transformation (DataDENT) is an initiative that aims to transform the availability and use of nutrition data by addressing gaps in nutrition measurement and advocating for stronger nutrition data systems. DataDENT 2.0 will be implemented by four institutions: Institute for International Programs (IIP) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Results for Development Institute (R4D) and the APHRC. IIP manages day-to-day operations of DataDENT.

APHRC seeks to recruit an Advocacy and Communications Officer based in Kenya to coordinate the advocacy and communication activities of the project.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement an integrated 360 degrees advocacy and communications strategy for the DataDENT 2.0 project;
• Manage the DataDENT brand and ensure the brand guidelines are up to date and that all DataDENT products and collateral are on brand;
• Develop content and lead in the design of research briefs, fact sheets and other communication/advocacy collateral in liaison with country implementing partners and DataDENT management;
• Manage media relations, support the delivery of press opportunities and social media engagement for project partners, staff and other stakeholders;
• Coordinate input and develop content for the DataDENT website while working with the web manager to update content;
• Maintain, update and actively use social media tools and sites (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) for regular initiatives of the project;
• Coordinate the advocacy and communication activities for the Community of Practice including ensuring that the database of members is up to date and organize the communication schedule;
• Manage the production of advocacy and communication collateral for the Community of Practice including posters, reports, email and the drop box;
• Provide technical guidance on how to use media and communications to advance upcoming technical and programmatic activities;
• Provide capacity strengthening sessions for relevant content related to the project;
• Attend regular advocacy and communication, technical and other meetings assigned, and provide input based on lessons from past media and communications activities including social media;
• Participate in, and provide direction on project’s advocacy communication at country and regional levels and also lead capacity strengthening;
• Develop a schedule for capacity strengthening for the COP and DataDENT and drive implementation;
• Engage with stakeholders and the DataDENT team on policy engagement and how to communicate and advocate for the nutrition data value chain;
• Lead the production of any documentation that will be used for publicity, visibility and advocacy; and
• Conduct monitoring and impact evaluation of advocacy communications activities.

Qualifications, experience and skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, advocacy, communications, public relations or related field.
• At least three (3) years of post-qualification experience in advocacy, communications and public relations, preferably in an international organization.
• Understanding of graphic design and desktop publishing, including Microsoft Publisher and Adobe or Corel suites.
• Visual media skills including use of still and video camera; ability to develop video storyboards and basic editing.
• Excellent editing and writing skills as well as ability to translate complex scientific facts into accessible messages for general audiences.
• Proficiency in MS Office, content management systems and social media platforms.
• Networking, interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills coupled with resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written. The ideal candidate should be able to think creatively, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

This position is classified under Nationally Recruited Positions (NRP), Grade V in our scales.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through our recruitment portal https://aphrc.org/vacancies/ by March 15, 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  Cover letters should be addressed to:

The Human Resources Officer

African Population and Health Research Center, Inc

APHRC Campus, Manga Close, off Kirawa Road, Kitisuru

P. O Box 10787-GPO, Nairobi

Website: www.aphrc.org

APHRC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the protection of vulnerable persons