Education And Communications Consultant

Job Summary

The Consultant will deliver strategic advisory support to the GHS communications team to implement an overarching communications strategy for a key client. The role spans technical advisory on regional ecosystems, stakeholder mapping, writing policy briefs, verifying opinion pieces for factual accuracy, managing community partner channels, and coordinating executive speaking slots at high-profile events.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Education

• Academic Criteria: An advanced degree (Master's or equivalent) in education, public policy, communications, international development, public health, or a closely related field.

Experience & Network

• Professional Track Record: At least 8 to 10 years of experience in strategic communications, policy advocacy, or stakeholder engagement, ideally within the higher education or health workforce development sectors.
• Ecosystem Expertise: Deep knowledge of Africa’s higher education landscape, health workforce development, and the regional policy contexts shaping the continent’s economic transformation.
• Established Networks: An active, established network of key opinion leaders, government officials, academic institutions, regional agencies, private sector partners, philanthropic organizations, and youth networks across Africa.

Functional Competencies

• Executive Advisory: Demonstrated experience advising senior leadership and developing policy briefs, opinion pieces, and other advocacy materials.
• Media Savvy: Strong understanding of the media landscape, with the ability to identify reputable publications, agencies, and networks for sharing partner impact stories.
• Event Coordination: Experience identifying and coordinating high-profile events and securing speaking opportunities for executive leadership.
• Language Skills: Fluency in written and spoken English is required; proficiency in French, Portuguese, or another widely spoken African language is considered a valuable asset.

Key Responsibilities

Communications, Policy Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement

• Introduce Opinion Leaders: Identify and introduce key opinion leaders who can speak or write compellingly about higher education sector transformation initiatives, highlighting successes and addressing systemic challenges.
• Cultivate Collaborations: Recommend tactical opportunities and networks for collaboration to share partner impact stories across various channels.
• Analyze Policy Ecosystems: Advise the GHS team on regional policies and ecosystem dynamics that inform high-level higher education policy and advocacy discussions.
• Draft Technical Briefs: Support the structural drafting and continuous optimization of policy briefs for identified priority countries.
• Review Content Integrity: Review opinion pieces, editorial columns, and press assets for strict factual accuracy and sharp attention to detail.

Community, Partner & Strategic Events Coordination

• Manage Partner Engagement: Support day-to-day community and partner engagement strategies to maintain strong ties across regional agencies and youth networks.
• Secure Executive Platforms: Track major continental forums, identify high-profile events, and secure strategic speaking opportunities for the client's executive leadership.
• Deliver Under Deadlines: Work independently, manage competing priorities efficiently, and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timelines.

Skills Required:

• Communication / Pr / Journalism
• Education / Teaching / Training
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development