AIMS Communication Consultant

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) was founded in Cape Town, South Africa in 2003 as a pan-African center for post-graduate training, outreach and research providing advanced, broadly applicable mathematical skills to talented students recruited from all over Africa. Since 2003, AIMS-Senegal opened its doors in August 2011, and AIMS-Ghana in August 2012.

The Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI, www.nexteinstein.org ) is a core program of AIMS and specifically involves the establishment and operation of a network of fifteen centres of excellence across Africa, all focusing on the teaching of mathematical sciences to African university graduates. The centres are coordinated through the AIMS-NEI Secretariat, based in Cape Town, South Africa.

POSITION

We are looking for a senior communications professional with first class copywriting skills and proven PR and marketing communications experience to join our established team. Ambitious and creative, you will plan, manage and implement a communications strategy for the AIMS Network and a range of exciting initiatives to help raise awareness of AIMS-NEI’s activities amongst a variety of stakeholders, including the public, private and not for profit sectors. You will have excellent interpersonal skills and will be able to provide sound advice and support to our different centres on how to maximise the results of their activities and enhance their profile within their respective national academic, economic, social and political environments.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead the development and implementation of the AIMS Network’s communications strategy and implementation plan.
Lead the AIMS Network’s teams (Secretariat and Centers) in ensuring overall quality and coherence of the team's communications and outreach materials and initiatives.
Develop and maintain strong external and internal communications regarding AIMS-NEI’s service offerings
Build AIMS-NEI’s reputation by increasing awareness and understanding of our work among our external audiences at a national, regional and global levels
Develop proactive strategies to achieve positive media coverage
Act as a resource of communications expertise and guidance for centres teams, providing local brand management, quality control and co-ordination for local communications
Create/refine AIMS-NEI’s promotional literature and other materials to communicate AIMS-NEI’s vision, mission and values to different target audiences (e.g. universities, governments, public/private potential sponsors)
Oversee the ongoing development and management of the website (Centres and Secretariat)
Oversee the integration of communications in the project and program design and implementation processes.
Serve as the expert of the network branding and style guidelines, ensuring regulations are followed by recommending revisions and appropriate application as outlines in network’s Graphic Standards Manual.
Oversee and provide regular trainings to Network staff and implementing partners where applicable on the appropriate use of branding
Coordinate information dissemination, media outreach, and public events within the Network in collaboration with the Centers, Secretariat and technical staff.
Oversee the drafting, editing, and dissemination of timely and accurate information, fact sheets, press releases, newsletters, brochures, presentations, responses for requests for information, and all other public information materials relating to the activities of the AIMS network.
Oversee the use of social media platforms as an engagement tool with a focus on digital advocacy and outreach; a social media strategy will be developed to complement the broader communications plan.
Manage the preparation and maintenance of an updated standard information package on the AIMS-NEI program for briefings and for distribution to the public and media, lawmakers, politicians, etc.; including scene setters, program briefing papers, project status reports, maps, photos, information about other donors, and general information about AIMS-NEI.
Promote separate, pro-active, targeted, information and media outreach activities. These activities are specifically designed to foster accurate information about the AIMS Networks’ programs deep into local, regional and national markets, through the selective use of radio, newspapers, public service announcements, and other communications methods.
Oversee all international and local media relations. Work closely with the Director of Partnerships and Outreach and maintain contacts with high-level national and international journalists from all media outlets.
Supervise the monitoring of the local and international press coverage, awareness, and attitudes concerning AIMS programs and monitor effectiveness of the communications strategy. Provide feedback to inform ongoing activities and future programming.
Oversee the maintenance of a calendar of the AIMS Network program events and its distribution within the network, to donors and relevant stakeholders.
Photograph and/or shoot video of Network events for the Secretariat and Centre websites and archives.
Perform other duties/activities for the network that circumstances may dictate.

EXPERIENCE
 At least 5 years of relevant developing country experience in communications, public relations or other relevant field
Experience of marketing communications
Experience of managing the production of printed material
Experience of internal communications
Proven ability to write concise, relevant and engaging copy for different audiences
Experience of managing a team, mentoring staff and progressing career development plans
Experience of eMarketing and the use of Social Networking

SKILLS AND ABILITY
Excellent oral and written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to translate highly technical material into easy to understand narrative
Excellent organizational and critical thinking skills
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to influence relationships positively
Superior project management skills and the ability to take initiative working with the direction of management; must be able to take ownership of projects, creatively problem solve and see through to completion
Maintain superior levels of professionalism while working under pressure in a fast-paced and sometimes difficult environment.
Willingness to assume duties and responsibilities in all communications areas, as needed.
Highly motivated and able to work both independently and as part of a close-knit and multi-professional team

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Strong and demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of public relations, media relations, and journalistic writing and reporting techniques.
Knowledge of technical aspects involved in the production of different public outreach activities, such as production of radio programs, leveraging social media platforms, print media etc.
Knowledge of media processes
Knowledge of editorial, design and publication processes
Understanding of marketing strategy implementation and project management
Knowledge of Higher Education issues in Africa is an asset

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
 Service driven and professional
 Strong people management expertise
 Demonstrable interest in the tertiary education (maths, science and technology) sector
 Enthusiastic approach to change
 Self starter, highly motivated

Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree (preferred) in communications, journalism, public relations or related field required

Other requirements
 Strong, working knowledge of Microsoft Work, Excel, Power Point, and internet applications
 Knowledge of French will be considered an asset.
 Need to be able to work flexible hours
 Need to be able to travel on occasion for events.

How to apply:

Interested applicants should forward salary expectations, a curriculum vitae, letter of interest and names of 3 referees to mmassouka@nexteinstein.org

Closing date: February 15th, 2013