Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Communications and Policy Engagement Manager

Company: African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)

Location: Malawi

Job Type: Full-Time

Salary: Competitive NGO/International research institute package (commensurate with experience and donor-funded institutional scales)

Company Overview

The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is a regional non-profit research and policy institute established in 2010. The organization works to bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice across Africa by promoting evidence-based decision-making, strengthening governance systems, and improving accountability in development processes.

AFIDEP focuses on translating research into actionable policy influence across sectors such as health, education, population dynamics, governance, climate change, and economic development.

Candidates exploring similar policy and communications roles in Africa can also find related opportunities through job vacancies in Malawi, which features development, NGO, and research-sector vacancies in Malawi.

Job Summary

The Communications and Policy Engagement Manager will lead AFIDEP’s communications and policy engagement function. The role is responsible for designing and implementing strategies that enhance the institute’s visibility, strengthen evidence uptake, and influence policy and development decision-making across Africa.

The position requires strong leadership in strategic communication, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement at regional and international levels.

Key Responsibilities

1. Communications, Visibility & Institutional Profiling

• Design and implement AFIDEP’s communications and policy influence strategy
• Strengthen AFIDEP’s brand as a leading African policy research institute
• Oversee production of annual reports, newsletters, website content, and social media communication
• Support translation of research evidence into accessible policy communication products
• Identify and engage media outlets to enhance evidence-based public discourse

Further opportunities in development communication and policy roles can be explored via job vacancies in Uganda for East African NGO and research positions.

2. Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation

• Develop and maintain partnerships with governments, donors, research institutions, and NGOs
• Support fundraising through proposal development and strategic concept notes
• Strengthen engagement with policy stakeholders and evidence users
• Promote collaboration across regional and global development networks

3. Capacity Strengthening

• Lead internal and external capacity building in communication and policy engagement
• Strengthen skills in research dissemination and advocacy
• Support teams in translating evidence into policy influence strategies

Educational Requirements

• Master’s degree in Communications, Media Studies, International Relations, Public Policy, or related field
• Additional training in advocacy, development communication, or policy engagement is an advantage

Regional policy and communications-related opportunities can also be found through job vacancies in Egypt, which features development, governance, and international NGO roles in North Africa.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of experience in development communications or science communication
• At least 3 years of international-level experience in policy engagement or communications
• Proven experience in translating research into policy influence strategies
• Strong background in African development and socio-political systems
• Demonstrated success in achieving policy change through advocacy or communication

Training & Technical Skills

• Strategic communications and advocacy planning
• Policy analysis and evidence translation
• Media engagement and public relations
• Digital communications (website management, social media strategy, publications design)
• Stakeholder mapping and engagement strategies
• Public speaking and presentation skills
• Editorial and technical writing skills

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and leadership
• Strong writing and editorial capability
• Policy influence and advocacy skills
• Cross-cultural communication
• Partnership building and networking
• Ability to engage high-level stakeholders
• Results-oriented execution

Work Environment

• Based in Malawi with regional and international engagement
• Interaction with governments, donors, research institutions, and media
• High-level policy and advocacy environment
• Occasional travel within Africa and internationally

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary aligned with international NGO research institute standards
• Exposure to high-level policy and development networks
• Opportunity to influence African development policy at regional level
• Professional growth in global research and advocacy systems
• Supportive institutional and collaborative work environment

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit:

• Motivation letter clearly stating suitability for the role
• Updated CV including at least three referees
• Email subject line: Communications and Policy Engagement Manager

Applications should be sent to: support@africajobsearch.com
Deadline: 17 December 2026

Important Notes

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
• Applications are reviewed on a competitive basis
• AFIDEP is an equal opportunity employer
• The role may involve regional travel across Africa