Manager Communications, Research Office

Entity: Aga Khan University

Location: Karachi, Pakistan

Department: Research Office

Introduction:

Aga Khan University (AKU), a private, self-governing international university chartered in Pakistan in 1983, is a role model for academic, research and service programmes in health and higher education in the developing world. The University currently has teaching sites in Pakistan, East Africa, the United Kingdom and Afghanistan, and is a major component of Aga Khan Development Network.

The Research Office is the central global coordination entity wh​ich supports the overall vision of the University to conduct research that contributes to the global body of knowledge and advances public policy in response to the real needs of communities and people in the developing world.​​​

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director, Research Office or designee, you will be responsible for managing the global communications portfolio of the Research Office, ensuring consistent and impactful messaging across multiple channels. It will involve the launch and management of new channels and social media platforms. The role requires extensive collaboration with AKU's communication community, news media, industry leaders, granting agencies, alumni, faculty, staff, and students to enhance the dissemination of AKU's multidisciplinary research across various geographical areas.

You will be responsible for:

• developing and implementing an overall communications strategy for AKU Research.
• effectively managing and publishing the AKU Research Magazine, completing all aspects of editorial product development and related communication.
• enhancing digital engagement and outreach by maintaining dedicated social media account/s for AKUʼs research portfolio.
• promoting a unified research brand by capturing news related to global AKU research and Research Office via a monthly newsletter.
• maintaining the AKU Research brand by updating relevant and accurate content on internal and external research websites through regular updates.
• public relations management for the Vice Provost, Research and the Research Office.
• providing critical communications support to special events spearheaded by the Research Office colleagues.
• supporting the development and dissemination of research metrics.
• strengthening communication practices within the Research Office.

Requirements:

You should have:

• a Master’s degree in communications, Marketing, Business Administration or any relevant field from an HEC-recognized or reputable foreign university/institute.
• at least 4 – 6 years of relevant work experience
• strong written and oral communication skills in both English and Urdu
• adaptability based on changing needs of the AKU research portfolio and its stakeholders
• pleasant interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders
• proficiency in all MS Office, especially MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and content management systems (CMS)
• ability to synthesize and craft engaging stories that resonate with target audiences
• ability to prioritize multiple assignments while adhering to tight deadlines, ensuring timely and efficient submission of departmental projects.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.