Overview

Head of Communications Jobs in Nairobi County, Kenya at Science for Africa Foundation

Title: Head of Communications

Company: Science for Africa Foundation

Location: Nairobi County, Kenya

SRI Executive Search has been contracted by Science for Africa (SFA) Foundation to assist with the search for an exceptional candidate to fill the position of Head of Communications.

About Science for Africa (SFA) Foundation

SFA Foundation is a pan-African, non-profit, public charitable organization that exists to support, strengthen, and promote science and innovation in Africa for the benefit of the continent and the world. Since its establishment, the Science for Africa (SFA) Foundation has been dedicated to supporting Africa’s scientists and science ecosystem, driven by the belief that science and innovation are central to the sustainable development of Africa.

For more information, visit https://scienceforafrica.foundation/.

Role Purpose

The Head of Communications is a senior strategic role that will lead Science for Africa (SFA) Foundation’s integrated communications function. This role serves as the Foundation’s principal communications advisor, working closely with the Executive Leadership Team and senior management to strengthen SFA Foundation’s reputation, visibility, influence, and impact by bringing together corporate communications, science communications, executive visibility, media engagement, digital presence, and strategic campaigns under one coherent institutional voice.

As the Foundation’s communications steward, the role will advise senior leadership, shape institutional positioning, uphold communications governance and quality, and ensure that SFA Foundation’s scientific, programmatic, and ecosystem contributions are communicated with clarity and strategic purpose. The role will translate scientific progress, investment priorities, programme outcomes, and institutional ambitions into compelling narratives that build trust, strengthen partnerships, inform decision-making, and elevate SFA Foundation’s leadership in Africa’s science and innovation ecosystem.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership and Institutional Positioning

  • Lead an integrated communications strategy to advance the Foundation’s mission, reputation, visibility, and impact.
  • Position the Foundation as a trusted voice in Africa-led science, innovation, and evidence-informed development.
  • Advise leadership on communications strategy, thought leadership, reputation, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Use communications to strengthen partnerships, influence, resource mobilization, and organizational impact.
  • Manage reputational risks through effective issues of management and crisis preparedness.

Communications Governance and Integration

  • Lead an integrated communications function aligned with strategic priorities across science and corporate communications.
  • Establish governance, planning, editorial, and brand frameworks to ensure quality and consistency.
  • Collaborate across functions to strengthen messaging, visibility, and organizational influence.
  • Oversee communications delivery, monitoring, and reporting to demonstrate impact.

Executive Communications, Thought Leadership and Public Engagement

  • Lead an integrated communications function aligned with strategic priorities.
  • Establish governance, editorial, and brand frameworks to ensure quality and consistency.
  • Drive collaboration to strengthen messaging, visibility, and influence.
  • Oversee communications planning, delivery, monitoring, and impact reporting.

Science Communications, Impact Storytelling and Funder Engagement

  • Lead science communications to showcase research, investments, grantee achievements, and impact.
  • Translate complex science into clear, engaging narratives for diverse audiences.
  • Promote Africa-led science through stories of innovation, excellence, and societal impact.
  • Develop impactful communications products, including briefs, stories, multimedia, and funder materials.
  • Support programme outcomes, policy engagement, events, and knowledge sharing.
  • Measure communications reach, quality, and influence while ensuring accuracy and ethical standards.

Corporate Communications and Brand

  • Lead institutional storytelling to advance the Foundation’s mission, achievements, and role in Africa’s science ecosystem.
  • Strengthen brand, reputation, and stakeholder trust through strategic communications.
  • Manage media relations, issues, crisis preparedness, and reputation protection.
  • Establish communications standards, policies, and quality assurance frameworks.
  • Build communications capacity through best practices and collaboration

Internal and Change Communications

  • Lead internal communications to strengthen staff engagement, alignment, and trust.
  • Keep employees informed on priorities, decisions, and organisational changes.
  • Support change communications and translate complex information into clear messages.
  • Strengthen communication channels, feedback mechanisms, and leadership messaging.
  • Reinforce the Foundation’s values, culture, and ways of working.

Media, Digital and Editorial Communications

  • Oversee media, editorial, digital, and content strategies aligned with organisational goals.
  • Build strategic relationships with media, science, policy, and sector stakeholders.
  • Ensure high-quality, impactful communications through strong editorial standards.
  • Use insights and analytics to enhance reach, engagement, and performance.
  • Measure communications impact and drive continuous improvement.

Communications Function Oversight, Team Leadership and Performance

  • Provide strategic leadership for an integrated communications function aligned with institutional priorities.
  • Oversee communications planning, governance, brand, editorial, monitoring, and reporting frameworks to ensure quality and alignment.
  • Lead and develop a high-performing communications team through coaching, collaboration, and capability building.
  • Manage communications budgets, resources, partnerships, and performance processes.
  • Evaluate communications impact and use insights to drive continuous improvement.

Profile

  • 10+ years’ experience in strategic communications, including senior leadership roles.
  • Proven ability to align communications with strategy, strengthen reputation, and enhance visibility and influence.
  • Experience integrating corporate, science, media, stakeholder, internal, and digital communications.
  • Strong executive advisory experience in positioning, reputation, thought leadership, and crisis communications.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams, establish governance frameworks, and manage communications resources.
  • Skilled in translating complex science, policy, and development issues into impactful narratives.
  • Strong understanding of Africa’s science, innovation, and development ecosystems.
  • Proven ability to build strategic partnerships, manage stakeholders, and operate effectively in multicultural environments.

Academic Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in communications, Strategic Communications, Journalism, Science Communications, Development Communications, Public Policy, International Development, or related fields.
  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, International Relations, Development Studies, Public Policy, or related discipline.

Professional Qualifications

  • Member of a relevant, reputable professional institution.

Leadership Competencies

  • Proven ability to lead through vision, values, and organizational purpose.
  • Proven ability to delegate responsibilities, develop others, and build high-performing teams.
  • Proven ability to facilitate change and lead through complexity.
  • Strong ability to build alignment, collaboration, and trust across teams and functions.
  • Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
  • Sound judgement, accountability, and decision-making ability.

Key Results Areas

  • Effective development and implementation of the Foundation’s communications strategy and organizational positioning.
  • Strengthened organizational visibility, reputation, thought leadership, and influence across priority audiences.
  • Effective integration, coordination, and performance of the Science Communications and Corporate Communications functions.
  • Strong communications governance, planning, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement systems.
  • Effective management of communications resources, budgets, procurement, and operational plans.

Terms of Appointment

Contract Status: Regular – 3-year contract (Renewable)

Position Reports to: Chief of Staff (Office of the CEO)

Position Supervises: Corporate Communications Manager, Science Communications Manager, Senior Communications Officers

Role Location

Nairobi, Kenya (On-site)

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please ensure you click Apply and complete the Application Form by 04 September 2026 (23:59 hrs, GMT +3). It is essential that you submit your CV in English, specifically in Microsoft Word format (.doc/.docx), not exceeding 10MB.

Applications in other languages or formats will not be considered.

Rest assured, all information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

Apply

Upload your CV/resume or any other relevant file. Max. file size: 800 MB.