About the position
Background:
- Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Limited ("WHC") is a wholly-owned Company of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (South Africa) under its Faculty of Health Sciences
- WHC provides Faculty with a legal framework within which to operate the research and other activities necessary to support its academic objectives
- In addition, WHC offers a range of products and services to Academics
Division: SSACAB
Main purpose of the job:
- To help make complex biostatistical research understandable to different audiences while creating meaningful opportunities for dialogue between researchers and the people who produce, use or are affected by the evidence-based decisions
- The role will also entail supporting SSACAB and the Wits School of Public Health with advisory on science communication, social media portals and website
Location:
- Wits School of Public Health, Parktown
Key performance areas:
Communication and media strategy development:
- Advise on multimedia strategy development, track trends and follow new innovative, creative ways in which to use multimedia content
- Develop and maintain a draft of Consortium ’s communication strategy
Profile the consortium content favourable to the public and research community:
- Writing and editorial work for different media platforms
- Produce and package material (articles, media releases,) to be used in publicity and media campaigns
- Developing, refining and executing the Consortium communication and content strategy, proofreading and editing, publishing content
- Adapt material for the mainstream media, new media, mobile and social media
- Produce and amplify compelling content
Develop excellent relations with the media:
- Develop and execute publicity campaigns for the Consortium and its internal Clients from initiation, development and execution
- Research, provide leads and write effective media releases and features for internal and external media consumption
- Build relationships with Journalists across all sectors of the media
- Proactively identify opportunities for the Division to feature in the media
Communications and reporting:
- Contribute to the production of electronic newsletters and related publications
- Work with Senior Scientist to generate multimedia content for the Consortium website, related websites and social media
- Create timely reports for all communication campaigns
Community and public engagement:
- Develop stories that amplify community voices and lived experiences relating to health issues
- Facilitate dialogue between Researchers, Health Professionals, and communities
- Engage with community organizations, civil society groups, and Patient Representatives to identify emerging health priorities
- Support public awareness campaigns on priority health topics
- Promote inclusive communication by ensuring content is culturally appropriate and accessible
Required minimum education and training:
- A relevant Postgraduate Qualification in Science Communication, Public Health, Communication, Journalism, Community Development, Social Science, Health Promotion or a related discipline
Required minimum work experience:
- 5 Year’s relevant experience in Social Communication, Public Engagement, Health Communication, Research Translation or closely related field within an NGO or academic space
- Experience working across Sub-Saharan African countries or within a Pan-African program
- Experience engaging Policymakers or translating research into policy-relevant formats
Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities:
- Excellent English verbal, written, and communication skills are essential
- Must have excellent knowledge of English grammar
- Must have a good understanding of science, research and higher education
- Excellent computer skills and be service orientated
- Graphic design skills would be an added advantage
TO APPLY:
- Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV and a cover letter (maximum one page) Honwith two contactable references
- Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions
- This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL
- However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market
- Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position
- Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates
- Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful
- Closing date: 28 August 2026
- Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date
Please note:
- WHC, in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto
- AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium
- AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position
Desired Skills:
- Communications Officer
- Reporting
- Computer Literate
- Graphic Design
- Communication Skills
- Public Engagement
- Honnors degree
