Communications and Policy Engagement Manager

Established in 2009, the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is an African-led, regional non-profit policy think tank. It aims to bridge the gaps between research, policy, and practice in population change, sustainable development, and health systems strengthening in Africa. The Institute seeks to contribute to sustainable development by promoting and enabling evidence uptake in development efforts across various sectors.

Role Overview

The Communications and Policy Engagement Manager is a key leadership role responsible for designing and overseeing AFIDEP’s communications and policy-influencing strategy. This includes building a recognizable brand, managing high-level institutional publications, and fostering strategic relationships with media, funders, and government bodies to promote evidence-based decision-making at national, regional, and global levels.

Key Responsibilities

Communications, Visibility, and Profiling

• Design and oversee the implementation of AFIDEP’s communications and policy-influencing strategy.
• Oversee the development of a recognizable AFIDEP brand as a leading policy institute in promoting evidence uptake.
• Lead the writing and publication of institutional reports, including annual reports, newsletters, website content, social media, and African Development perspectives.
• Support evidence synthesis and packaging in thematic areas: population dynamics, health and wellbeing, environment/climate change, and governance.
• Identify and develop relationships with key media outlets to stimulate the use of evidence in public debates.
• Disseminate research findings and encourage critical debate on development issues.

Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation

• Build and maintain collaborative partnerships with funders, governments, academic and research institutions globally.
• Engage with potential end-users of research evidence and institutions that promote evidence use.
• Contribute to AFIDEP’s fundraising efforts through concept and proposal development.

Capacity Strengthening

• Support internal and external capacity-building efforts to improve the communication and utilization of research evidence in decision-making processes.

Requirements

• Master’s degree (MBA/MSc/MA) in communications, media, international relations, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in science and development communications, with at least three years at an international level.
• Exceptional writing and technical editing skills, specifically for policy-oriented publications.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking abilities.
• Technical proficiency in publications design, website management, and social media platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to dialogue with diverse audiences and represent the organization with credibility.
• Deep understanding of public policymaking, legislative processes, and the role of research within them.
• Proven success in translating research into effective advocacy strategies and achieving policy change.
• Strong understanding of African socio-political contexts and global development trends.
• Competency in facilitating national and international advocacy activities.

How to Apply

Please send a motivation letter indicating your suitability for the position, including the position title “Communications and Policy Engagement Manager” in the subject of the email, and a detailed CV which should include three relevant referees, to recruitment@afidep.org no later than 17 April 2026. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.