Part-time Senior Scientific Communications Officer

at  Stellenbosch University

Duties/Pligte

• Developing a scientific communication plan for the DTTC;
• Setting up an internal DTTC platform (e.g. SharePoint) for the collection and collation of key scientific contents from DTTC research so that it is easily accessible for dissemination opportunities;
• Setting up an internal DTTC process and platform (e.g. SharePoint) for the development, collection and collation of photographic and video content from DTTC research so that this is easily accessible for dissemination purposes;
• Liaising with study principal investigators and other study team members to identify key study milestones that warrant communication beyond scientific/academic audiences (e.g. on the DTTC/SU website, social media, and news journals);
• Coordinating press releases for key communications;
• Ensuring that the DTTC communications strategy aligns with SU policies;
• Generating accessible scientific content for posting on LinkedIn, Instagram, X and the DTTC/SU website;
• Coordinating in writing the DTTC annual report;
• Facilitating building the DTTC profile on national and international platforms;
• Supporting scientific grant writing for international and local grant funding application;
• Collaborating with the DTTC Community Advisory Board to support DTTC researchers with the communication of study milestones and results to affected local communities and community stakeholders.

Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes

• MBChB with specific knowledge about tuberculosis;
• At least two years’ experience and/or specific training in knowledge translation (moving research/science into practice and communicating research messages to the public);
• Proven work experience and/or specific training in the presentation of scientific text/concepts in summarised key messages that are both accurate and visually appealing/accessible;
• Scientific writing skills (e.g. academic manuscripts, reports, guideline documents, and grant writing);
• Willingness to learn about the dissemination of scientific content on key social media platforms (e.g. LinkedIn, Instagram, and X);
• Strong organisational skills;
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English;
• Proficiency in a second official South African language in addition to English;
• Computer literacy in MS Office;
• The ability to independently and efficiently move between DTTC sites when required;
• A valid driver’s licence and own transport;
• The ability to liaise and communicate with team members across different projects and different disciplines;
• Sensitivity to cultural differences.

Recommendation/Aanbeveling

• Experience with the development of videos for the purpose of scientific dissemination or training - the candidate will be requested to share video(s) that they have been involved in developing, with the interview panel;
• Experience in either clinical or implementation research, preferably in child/maternal health;
• Some experience with the use of computer software programs for digital design/layout/formatting.

• Developing a scientific communication plan for the DTTC;
• Setting up an internal DTTC platform (e.g. SharePoint) for the collection and collation of key scientific contents from DTTC research so that it is easily accessible for dissemination opportunities;
• Setting up an internal DTTC process and platform (e.g. SharePoint) for the development, collection and collation of photographic and video content from DTTC research so that this is easily accessible for dissemination purposes;
• Liaising with study principal investigators and other study team members to identify key study milestones that warrant communication beyond scientific/academic audiences (e.g. on the DTTC/SU website, social media, and news journals);
• Coordinating press releases for key communications;
• Ensuring that the DTTC communications strategy aligns with SU policies;
• Generating accessible scientific content for posting on LinkedIn, Instagram, X and the DTTC/SU website;
• Coordinating in writing the DTTC annual report;
• Facilitating building the DTTC profile on national and international platforms;
• Supporting scientific grant writing for international and local grant funding application;
• Collaborating with the DTTC Community Advisory Board to support DTTC researchers with the communication of study milestones and results to affected local communities and community stakeholders