The Communications and Engagement Department of the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is responsible for all strategic implementation of the Communications & Engagement Department’s activities and outputs and providing oversight and guidance of communications across the entire MRCG at LSHTM.

We are recruiting for the Head of Communications and Engagement to lead a strong and newly restructured team of other communications professionals based at Fajara. The post holder will plan and drive the delivery of key strategic communications services and provide leadership to all staff in the Communications & Engagement team in undertaking their work.S/he will lead on enhancing the MRCG at LSHTM’s reputation and profile within The Gambia, West Africa and internationally.

Essential requirements:

• Master’s degree in communications or related field of study with significant experience in media and communications.
• Proven experience of effectively leading communications and personnel in a complex organisation, ideally in a Higher Education or similar environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, and the ability to present information in clear, concise and compelling ways.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to negotiate and influence senior stakeholders both internal and external and provide mentorship and development to junior staff.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment together with the ability to communicate and negotiate at all levels.
• Experience of overseeing and writing, editing and managing production of a range of communications including corporate communications, reports, policy briefs, media features, websites and social media, and more.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to coordinate and prioritise a complex workload, meet multiple deadlines, manage projects, and delegate appropriately to deliver successful outcomes.

Desirable:

• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Understanding and experience of factors affecting the research and/or higher education environment, and other factors which may impact on MRCG activity including, for example, political and policy developments/changes.
• Experience at a senior level in an international multicultural work environment.

The salary will be paid in Grade 1, 40 Points of MRCG at LSHTM’s payscale at a minimum net monthly salary of 153,773 Dalasi. This converts to take home pay of ~USD 2,562/month using the prevailing Dalasi/USD exchange rate.

Please note that the salary is paid in Dalasi, and USD is only given as a guide using the prevailing exchange rate.

In addition, a generous displacement package will be provided for displaced staff including rent-free furnished accommodation, flights, displacement allowance for spouse and children, contribution to school fees for children and shipment of personal effects.

We cannot accept applications from individuals who are currently, or were in the last six months, employed by The Gambia Government.

The appointment will be up to 31 March 2027 initially and subject to a probationary period of 6 months.

To apply, please review the job description and application form, and send the application form and any relevant documents to recruitment@mrc.gm.

The closing date for applications is 31 May 2023 - please note only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

MRCG at LSHTM is an equal opportunities employer and operates a strict no smoking policy.