Research communications officer

Do you agree that research-based knowledge needs to have a greater place in policy-making? Do you think the understanding of Africa’s opportunities and challenges needs to be strengthened among decision-makers in the Nordic region? Us too! Do you have solid experience in conveying ideas and crafting stories; in audio, audiovisual or text format? Are you eager to develop more of your talents in this area? Then we may have the job for you! We are looking for a research communications officer who thrives in a multicultural, academic environment, and who identifies with our knowledge-sharing mission in the service of democracy.

The Nordic Africa Institute is a Swedish public authority, organizationally placed under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Our offices are located in Uppsala. We employ just over 30 people from around ten countries. Our mission is to build and share knowledge about societal challenges in contemporary Africa, thereby deepening understanding among policy-makers of African perspectives and societal dynamics. We are researchers, librarians, communicators and administrators. Our main target groups are Nordic decision-makers, Africa-focused researchers in the Nordics and in Africa, students, and the media. We receive core support from the governments of Finland, Iceland, and Sweden.

The communications unit, six people strong, works with publications, meetings & events, web & digital channels, texts, films, photos, and a podcast. Among other things. As one of our colleagues is moving on, we are looking for his successor. Your main task will be to make research-based knowledge accessible and interesting to non-scholarly audiences. For the pieces you produce, you will draw much of your material from interviews with researchers and partners, events and meetings, in the Nordics and in Africa. Additionally, you will work with researchers on presentation skills and messages, and support journalists who wish to use the institute’s knowledge resources. Perhaps you have built your experience in journalism, in research communication, or elsewhere. You are interested in issues relating to Africa and the social sciences (read more about our impact areas here). You believe that research-based knowledge is an important part of policy-making and the fulfillment of the global goals.

Does that sound like you? Then we want to hear from you!

Main tasks

• Produce texts, films and podcasts on topics within NAI’s impact areas.
• Develop and strengthen dialogue with key media outlets and individual reporters in the Nordics, Europe, and Africa.
• Conceptualize and plan research-based briefings for NAI’s target groups
• Support researchers in building messages and preparing briefings 
• Publish material on NAI’s website and social media channels.
• Share in building and sending monthly newsletter to institute’s global audience
• Contribute to crafting messages based on institute’s mission and within impact areas. 
• Other communications tasks as may be assigned by the Head of Communications.

Education and work experience

• Academic degree in communication, journalism or equivalent
• At least seven years’ experience in telling stories in audio, audiovisual, or text formats, preferably in a research and/or international/development/humanitarian context. 

Requirements for this job

• Experience in crafting compelling stories sourced from complex materials or contexts. 
• Experience of having worked with subjects relating to the sciences and/or development/humanitarian issues
• Experience of successful cooperation with non-communication experts in crafting stories and messages
• Ability to think strategically 
• Very good planning and organizational skills
• Very good cooperation skills 
• Fluency in English as well as one Nordic language.

Desirable experiences

• Experience in research communication
• Experience of working in the Adobe package
• Experience from working with topics relating to societal development in contemporary Africa
• Accustomed to working in an academic environment
• Fluency in French, Arabic, Swahili or Portuguese

In addition to committed and friendly colleagues, we offer

• The opportunity to work from home part of the week
• Generous wellness allowance
• Joint breakfast every week
• Beautiful surroundings in the botanical gardens of Uppsala
• Recurring joint activities, such as participation in sports events, cinema visits, Christmas parties, and more.

The position is full-time for two years, with possibility to extend. Starting date as soon as possible.

Contact persons
Victoria Engstrand Neacsu, Head of Communications, Dan Åkhagen, Human Resources Officer, Trade Union representatives: Johan Sävström (OFR/ST) and Henrik Alfredsson (Saco-S). All can be reached at +46 18 471 52 00. Please note that due to the fact this is vacation period in Sweden there may be a delay in response to questions.

More information about NAI’s research focal areas and themes, on-going research activities, grants, library services and publications is available on the Institute’s website: www.nai.uu.se.

How to apply
Send your CV and a personal letter through our online recruitment system, link below.
Closing Date for applications: 14 August 2022
The Institute promotes equal opportunities for all.