Communications Officer

ASSAR Communications Officer

(Four month fixed term contract)

African Climate and Development Initiative

Faculty of Science

Applications are invited for the post of ASSAR Communications Officer, for the African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI). The ACDI is a strategic initiative at UCT that coordinates and enhances research and teaching on climate and development across departments and faculties.

The main purpose of the Communications Officer is to act as a focal point and coordinator of all internal and external communications activities related to ASSAR under the direction of the ASSAR Consortium Research Manager and the ACDI Director (who is the ASSAR project PI). The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of communication including information management, editorial duties (writing, editing, quality control and assurance), website management, coordinating and disseminating communication products, and maximising the uptake of research outputs.

This is a full-time, four month fixed term contract position from mid-September 2016 to mid-January 2017.

Requirements:

• An Honours degree in climate change related subject and a minimum of 4 years’ communications and marketing experience. OR An Honours degree in communications and/or marketing and a minimum of 4 years’ experience working on topics closely related climate change and development.
• Proven ability to develop and implement effective communications strategies.
• Experience in writing and editing complex and high quality documents for a wide range of audiences, from semi-professional to non-expert.
• Ability to review, analyse and synthesise long and detailed information for specific target audiences including project teams, donors, the wider research and practitioner community, policy makers and international scientific community.
• Demonstrable experience in knowledge management principles and digital communications including online knowledge sharing platforms and emerging technologies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to deliver on multiple priorities.
• Advanced computer literacy including MS Office suite, web content management and social media tools.
• Advantageous experience includes:
• Knowledge of graphic and /or publishing software.
• Knowledge of photo and video editing software.
• Experience of working on an applied research project.
• Knowledge of climate and development issues.

Responsibilities:

• Implement ASSAR’s communication strategy.
• Rework various research outputs into forms suitable for communication to a variety of target audiences.
• Conduct quality control and assurance on all ASSAR project outputs.
• Maintain website structure and content.
• Manage communications within and across ASSAR research teams and case study sites.
• Develop and maintain effective communication channels with other CARIAA consortia.
• Work with the Consortium Research Manager to report on ASSAR progress and research results.
• Support the effective use of online knowledge sharing platforms with the ASSAR team.
• Lead the ASSAR knowledge management working group.
• Support and develop knowledge exchange events (e.g., webinars).

The annual cost of employment is between R394,026 and R463,559

Please ensure the title and reference number are indicated in the subject line. An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and may be required to undergo a competency test.

Telephone: 021 650 5598

Website: www.hr.uct.ac.za

Reference number: E60728

Closing date: 12 August 2016

UCT is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at http://www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/about/policies/eepolicy.pdf. UCT reserves the right not to appoint.