Communications and Policy Engagement Officer

About the role

AFIDEP is looking for a Communications and Policy Engagement (CPE) Officer based in Nairobi (Westlands). The role covers institutional publications, knowledge translation, media relations, digital and social media, and policy engagement, supporting the organisation's research and policy work.

Key responsibilities

• Institutional publications: manage and write content for the annual report, newsletters, African Development Perspectives, the website and social media platforms.
• Knowledge translation: help turn research evidence into policy briefs, infographics, factsheets, video/animation scripts, blogs, media releases, media kits, Op-Eds, explainer videos, podcasts and photo-stories.
• Research and policy communications: develop materials that make AFIDEP's research, policy positions and technical work accessible to different audiences.
• Policy engagement: document policy dialogues and consultations, prepare event materials, capture key messages and write post-event communications.
• Reporting: contribute to institutional, programme and donor reports with highlights, success stories, media coverage and visibility activities.
• Media relations: build and maintain links with journalists and media houses.
• Digital and social media: manage Facebook, X, LinkedIn and YouTube, and contribute to website content; stay up to date with new platforms and formats.
• Capacity building: help build the communications and evidence-informed decision-making capacity of staff, researchers, policymakers and journalists.
• Library and information management: support the development and management of the library and information resources, physical and digital.
• Event management: plan, coordinate and deliver events, meetings and conferences, including logistics and stakeholder coordination.

Required profile

• Master's degree in Communications, Media, International Relations or a related field.
• At least five years' experience in science and development communications.
• Experience translating research into non-scientific audiences such as the media and the public.
• Knowledge of the African context and its influence on decisions in health, population and development, education, environment, climate change and governance.
• Knowledge of current global issues and debates in development policy and international development politics.

Required skills

• Excellent writing and technical editing, especially for policy-oriented publications and media products.
• Public speaking and presentation skills.
• Technical skills in publications design, website management and social media platforms.
• Networking and relationship-building with internal colleagues and external decision-makers.