Assistant Director, Strategic Communications
- Berekuso, Eastern Region
- Permanent
- Full-time
Africa whose leaders make ethical decisions in the best interests of their communities, and where innovation drives economic, cultural and social growth. We educate leaders who will make this vision a reality, and we collaborate with other institutions to multiply this work.
Joining Ashesi means becoming part of a vibrant community dedicated to excellence, innovation, and a transformed Africa. We provide opportunities for everyone to do their most meaningful work, through cross-functional collaboration in an environment that encourages intellectual and personal growth.If you're seeking an environment that values diverse contributions, supports professional development, and enables you to work with purpose, come join our team.About the DepartmentThe Education Collaborative spearheads a model of collective engagement that promises to reshape higher education outcomes for students significantly. This transformative scale initiative adopts a network approach that fosters trust and collective commitments among higher education leaders and stakeholders to drive sustainable results within the systems they govern and influence.At the core of this pioneering movement lies a membership model, which encourages open engagement and sharing and fosters a sense of community accountability among participating institutions. The Collaborative is establishing sub-regional hubs, led by exemplary public and private institutions within each region, to ensure that this model incorporates a deep level of contextualization within different regulatory environments. By doing so, institutions can deepen their ability to advance quality education outcomes while raising the bar for other regional institutions.Targeting systemic transformation, we conceptualize impact as an interrelated spectrum where engagements within the network result in improved outcomes for individuals, their institutions, regions, and the continent. We utilize both quantitative and qualitative approaches to track these outcomes and progress, supporting decision-making on strategy and resource allocation, and communicating impact to various stakeholders.About the roleThe Strategic Communications role offers a unique opportunity for a driven communicator to step into a leadership position with continental influence. As the steward of The Education Collaborative’s voice and visibility, you will lead the design and execution of strategic communications that elevate our thought leadership, engage a wide range of stakeholders, and showcase our growing impact across Africa.In this role, you will collaborate closely with the Executive Director, impact learning and regional leads, and program teams to shape and deliver messaging that is cohesive, powerful, and aligned with our vision of transforming higher education in Africa. You will navigate the exciting challenge of unifying diverse institutions across multiple countries under a shared narrative, while respecting their independent identities. This is a strategic role ideal for a communications professional eager to grow their influence and shape discourse in African higher education.Key Responsibilities:Strategic Communications & Brand Positioning
- Lead the execution of a dynamic communications strategy that advances The Education Collaborative’s mission and visibility.
- Build and safeguard a strong, unified brand identity across all content and platforms.
- Craft strategic messaging tailored to diverse stakeholder groups—universities, funders, policymakers, and students.
- Use data and analytics to track performance, optimize content, and inform communication strategy.
- Prepare and manage communications budgets, including financial reporting.
- Support the Executive Director and leadership team with high-impact content for public speaking, media engagement, and thought leadership.
- Oversee content planning and scheduling across digital channels, ensuring consistency and relevance.
- Drive communications for events, conferences, and regional activities to expand visibility and engagement.
- Lead media relations and cultivate networks with journalists, publications, and digital influencers.
- Develop and lead storytelling initiatives that showcase Edu Collab’s work in institutional impact and student success across Africa.
- Work collaboratively with program leads and regional hub teams to align communications with organizational goals.
- Supervise the team focused on digital communications and impact storytelling, mentoring junior staff and interns.
- Take on additional assignments and strategic communications needs as the role evolves with the organization.
- Full-time compensation package under Ashesi University employment terms.
- Ongoing professional development and learning opportunities.
- A chance to contribute to and shape transformative, continent-wide education outcomes.
- Master's degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Development Studies, or a related field.
- At least 4 years of progressive experience in communications, marketing, or public engagement—preferably in education or development sectors.
- Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a strategic mindset.
- Experience managing integrated brand and communication strategies in multi-stakeholder or cross-country initiatives.
- Proficiency in digital tools such as Design tools (InDesign, illustrator, Canva), CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress), social media schedulers (e.g., Hootsuite), and email platforms (e.g., Mailchimp).
We are looking for someone who:
- Deep passion for education reform and system transformation in Africa.
- Familiarity with higher education, youth development, or systems-change in African contexts.
- Strong cultural intelligence and relationship-building skills.
- Creative and resourceful, with a collaborative and entrepreneurial approach.