Apply by 17th February 2025,
This is a remote position - with some occasional (mandatory) traveling – but priority is given to candidates residing in African countries.About the position
PEP (www.pep-net.org) is seeking to recruit an Africa-based specialist in policy engagement and knowledge translation, for a full-time position commencing in March or April 2025. The specialist will work in close collaboration with, and under the supervision of, PEP’s Director of Engagement and Impact to help maximize the uptake and influence of research-based evidence to inform economic and development policy decisions in Southern countries.
Salary: A competitive package will be negotiated with suitable applicants.
Mandate
The selected specialist will be required to assist and contribute to – under the leadership of PEP’s Director of Engagement and Impact:
- Designing and implementing a programmatic strategy to build sustainable and synergistic ecosystems for evidence-informed policymaking (EIPM) in East and West Africa (find out more about this program). This includes:
- Designing and providing/hosting a series of training courses and workshops focused on a specific competences and best practices for EIPM, for both researchers and policymakers.
- Providing guidance and support to help both researchers and policymakers in translating scientific evidence for policy use and establishing effective collaborative mechanisms.
- Helping review and advise on the development of various policy advisory and/or advocacy materials (e.g. policy papers, policy briefs, slide presentations and other communication tools).
- Designing and implementing a monitoring and evaluation strategy to assess the outcomes and impact of the programme on EIPM practices and ecosystems.
- The continual improvement of PEP’s broader organizational strategy for policy engagement, as well as translation and influence of research This includes:
- Contributing to the development of relevant components in new policy research programs, funding proposals and programmatic strategies.
- Developing guidance materials to enable PEP researchers to autonomously design and implement effective knowledge translation, policy engagement and influence strategies.
- Providing direct support to PEP researchers and program implementers in:
- Targeting and engaging with policy stakeholders
- Analysing policy and political contexts
- Designing policy-oriented/relevant research projects
- Knowledge co-production
- Knowledge translation and communication of evidence-informed policy advice
Qualifications, experience and skills required
Candidates must have:
- At least a master’s degree, and academic background in a relevant area (e.g. public policy, political or social sciences, communication, etc.)
- At least 5 years of experience working (ideally in a senior position) at the interface of science/research and policy
- Demonstrated knowledge/expertise (or advanced competences) in:
- Stakeholder analysis and engagement
- Including in facilitating collaborative dialogues and processes with multi-sector stakeholders
- Political economy analysis (or analysis of policy and institutional contexts)
- Policy advocacy or advisory work, and/or communication strategy
- Research to policy knowledge translation
- Stakeholder analysis and engagement
- Extensive experience working in African contexts and/or with governments in Africa
- Excellent writing/editing and communication skills in general (including oral communication)
- High-level organizational and leadership skills
- Strong capacity for innovation and creative problem solving
The following will also be considered as important assets/advantages:
- Residing in an African country
- A good working knowledge of French
- Command of graphic design and/or AI tools for communication
- Experience providing capacity strengthening support through training, coaching, mentoring, or other approaches.
Application process
To be considered, applications must be received by e-mail no later than 17th February 2025. Please submit your letter of motivation with a detailed CV/resume to info@pep-net.org.
The information must include:
- Current and other (relevant only) recent positions
- Current and expected remuneration,
- Email and phone contacts
- Names and full contact details of three referees
Email must be titled: PE-KT specialist application