Location: Remote Head Office across Africa

Hours: Full-time

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer - Africa Clinical Research Network

Salary: $55,000 pa (USD) in local currency, dependent on experience

Our Mission:
The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) works to develop and deploy advanced technology in pursuit of solving some of humanity’s most challenging and enduring problems. Guided by world leaders, scientists, and entrepreneurs, EIT seeks to accelerate innovation by driving scientific and technological advancements across four humane endeavours: health and medical science, food security and sustainable agriculture, climate change and clean energy, and government innovation and era of artificial intelligence. Please visit eit.org for more details.

At the Ellison Institute, we believe that an inclusive, collaborative team atmosphere is just as important to our mission as our scientific aims and methods. We strive to build a supportive environment where everyone feels confident taking creative risks toward innovation. We value emotional intelligence and communicating with empathy and respect for others. We foster a team that is curious, has a deep sense of commitment, responsibility, and the resilience needed to achieve excellence.

Job Summary:
We are establishing a clinical research network and are on a mission to revolutionise clinical research in Africa. Our vision is to build a sustainable, African-led research ecosystem that drives health equity and innovation. By establishing a network of world-class clinical research sites and capabilities, we aim to generate the evidence Africa needs to inform health decisions and policies, while cultivating the next generation of African scientific leaders.

Africa has been underrepresented in global clinical research, conducting only 2% of clinical research despite shouldering 25% of the world's disease burden. While there have been significant investments in disease-specific clinical research sites and networks, these approaches have often led to fragmented infrastructure, limited capacity, and reliance on expatriate leadership. Such models have struggled to drive long-term sustainability or meet the broader health needs of African countries and regions beyond narrow therapeutic areas. Consequently, health products and policies in Africa are often informed by data from other settings, which may not fully account for the rich diversity of African populations and local contexts. This lack of locally relevant evidence hinders the development of tailored health solutions that effectively address Africa's unique challenges and priorities.

Our clinical research network is on a mission to transform this landscape. By partnering with leading institutions and trial units across the continent, we will establish a network of clinical research sites that serve two critical goals: diversifying global research and empowering Africa to meet the healthcare needs of its rapidly growing population.

Our network will be designed to catalyze Africa's self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical and vaccine R&D and manufacturing, ensuring the continent can drive its own health innovation agenda. We will establish digital and clinical infrastructure, while prioritizing deep community engagement to foster trust, relevance and impact.

At our sites, we will conduct rigorous, ethical research that puts African populations and priorities at the centre. By generating high-quality local data that reflects the diversity of African contexts, we can accelerate the development and delivery of tailored global health solutions - for Africa, by Africa. Our goal is to build sustainable research capacity that outlasts any single study or funder, empowering African institutions to become global leaders in clinical research and scientific innovation for generations to come.

Overview:
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Communications to lead and manage all internal and external communication strategies for our clinical research company. This role involves shaping the company’s public image, fostering strong relationships with stakeholders, and ensuring the clear dissemination of complex scientific and clinical information. The Head of Communications will work closely with senior leadership, research teams, and external partners to enhance the visibility and reputation of the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

Communications Strategy Development:
Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with the company's mission and business goals. Oversee the creation of key messaging frameworks for both internal and external audiences, ensuring consistency and clarity in communications across all channels. Manage crisis communication plans and provide strategic counsel to leadership during potential issues affecting the company’s reputation.
Public Relations & Media Engagement:
Serve as the primary spokesperson for the company, representing the organization in media interviews, industry events, and public forums. Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, media outlets, industry publications, and other external stakeholders. Draft press releases, news articles, and other media materials to promote the company’s clinical trials, research achievements, and innovations.
Internal Communications:
Develop and oversee internal communication strategies that keep employees informed, motivated, and aligned with the company’s goals. Collaborate with HR and senior management to ensure clear communication of company updates, policies, and cultural initiatives. Create content for internal newsletters, memos, and intranet updates to foster engagement and promote transparency within the organization.
Content Creation & Management:
Oversee the creation of high-quality content for the company’s website, social media platforms, and marketing materials, ensuring all content reflects the company’s voice and values. Work with the clinical research and marketing teams to produce clear and accurate communications around scientific research, clinical trial updates, and regulatory developments. Manage content schedules, ensuring that key milestones in clinical research and trials are communicated effectively and in a timely manner.
Brand Management & Corporate Identity:
Ensure consistency in the company’s branding and messaging across all communication platforms and external engagements. Work with design and marketing teams to update brand guidelines as needed and ensure all company communications reflect the corporate identity.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Foster strong relationships with external stakeholders, including patients, healthcare professionals, regulatory bodies, and partners, to strengthen the company's reputation in the clinical research space. Manage communications related to collaborations, partnerships, and community engagement initiatives.
Social Media & Digital Presence:
Lead the company’s social media strategy to enhance its online presence and engage with key audiences, including patients, researchers, and investors. Monitor social media channels and industry trends to ensure that the company remains at the forefront of the clinical research conversation.
Crisis Communication & Risk Management:
Develop and maintain a crisis communication plan to manage potential reputational risks, ensuring the company is prepared to respond quickly and effectively to any issues. Provide guidance to senior leadership during crises, ensuring clear and concise messaging is distributed to the public and stakeholders.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field (required). Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Communications, Healthcare Communications, or Public Relations is a plus.

Experience: Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in a communications or public relations role, ideally within the healthcare, pharmaceutical, or clinical research industry. Proven track record of developing and executing successful communications strategies, both internal and external. Experience managing media relations, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement in a highly regulated industry.

Skills and Competencies: Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific and clinical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Excellent media relations skills, with established relationships in healthcare and scientific media outlets. Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines. Proficiency with digital communication tools, including content management systems (CMS), social media platforms, and email marketing tools. Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and lead initiatives across multiple departments.

Desired Attributes:
A strategic thinker with a passion for Africa, healthcare and scientific communications. Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships with stakeholders at all levels. A proactive approach to identifying communication opportunities and mitigating potential risks.

Work Environment:
The Head of Communications will be remote based, with occasional travel to clinical trial sites and partner locations. Flexibility to work in a dynamic environment and handle multiple priorities is essential. The Head of Communications will work closely with the executive team and other departments to ensure alignment across all communication efforts.

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Head of Communications - (African based)