KNOWLEDGE AND COMMUNICATIONS LEAD At YLabs

JOB ALERT

YLABS

POSITION: KNOWLEDGE AND COMMUNICATIONS LEAD

DEPARTMENT: MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: FULL-TIME

LOCATION: FULLY REMOTE, SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: EXPERIENCED

CONTRACT: 12 MONTHS, WITH POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION

SALARY: $45,000–$61,818 USD PER YEAR

TRAVEL: UP TO 50% FOR FIELD SPRINTS AND STAKEHOLDER ALIGNMENT

APPLICATION DEADLINE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

ABOUT YLABS

YLabs is a global design and research organization working to improve health and economic opportunities for young people aged 10–24.

Founded in 2016 at the Harvard Innovation Lab, YLabs works across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Central America, partnering with young people to design products and services addressing challenges including sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, mental health, financial inclusion and climate resilience.

ABOUT THE ROLE

YLabs is seeking a Knowledge and Communications Lead to drive the narrative and communications for one of its major multi-year partnerships with a global foundation focused on testing new approaches to programmes for young people across Africa.

The successful candidate will work closely with researchers, designers and project leads to transform complex research and programme thinking into clear, high-quality communication products for different audiences.

The role is ideal for an experienced writer and editor with strong technical fluency, editorial judgment and the ability to work independently across a complex international portfolio.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

REAL-TIME DISTILLATION

1. Attend partner calls, capture key insights and produce content without requiring extensive re-briefing.
2. Turn live discussions and research into decks, briefs, blogs and reports within short timelines.
3. Draft, edit and finalize research decks, leadership summaries, quarterly and annual reports and toolkit content.

NARRATIVE AND VOICE

1. Own and evolve the core narrative for the partnership.
2. Ensure communications across countries and workstreams use a consistent organizational voice.
3. Develop language and framing that works effectively for leadership and partner audiences.
4. Maintain consistency across the portfolio and train project teams on strategic communication.

TECHNICAL WRITING AND EDITORIAL JUDGMENT

1. Read, review and write RFPs, experiment design documents, research protocols and playbooks.
2. Translate complex internal documents into clear and accessible content.
3. Determine what information should be retained, restructured, clarified or removed.
4. Develop content architecture for reports, presentations, toolkits and other deliverables.

SYSTEMS AND COLLABORATION

1. Work with the Graphic Designer to develop templates and a short style guide.
2. Build a reusable library of core language, descriptions and framing.
3. Collaborate proactively with project leads, researchers and designers.
4. Ensure content is accurate, timely and aligned with programme objectives.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

1. STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION: Advanced understanding of how communications support organizational and partner priorities.
2. EDITORIAL JUDGMENT: Ability to structure, edit, position and simplify content for specific audiences.
3. TECHNICAL FLUENCY: Ability to understand research protocols, experiment designs, RFPs and other technical materials.
4. AUTONOMY: Ability to work independently and make sound editorial decisions on complex assignments.
5. COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION: Ability to work effectively across research, design and programme teams.
6. OWNERSHIP: Ability to anticipate communication needs and deliver proactively.
7. JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: Commitment to culturally competent communication that respects and elevates the voices of young people and communities.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

1. Minimum 7 years of professional experience in strategic communications, editorial, knowledge translation or technical writing.
2. At least 3 years of experience in international development, philanthropy or social impact.
3. Demonstrated experience translating complex research, programme models or technical material into clear content for senior audiences.
4. Portfolio demonstrating experience across reports, decks, briefs, blogs and at least one technical or research-based document.
5. Experience working closely with researchers, designers or programme teams.
6. Experience building and maintaining a consistent voice across multiple products or teams.
7. Exceptional written English and the ability to work quickly without compromising quality.
8. Ability to work effectively with ambiguity and changing priorities.

NICE TO HAVE

1. Experience working with foundation or institutional funder audiences.
2. Experience with design research, human-centered design or experimentation methodologies.
3. Experience writing or reviewing RFPs and proposals.
4. Experience living and working in Sub-Saharan Africa.

LOCATION AND WORK ARRANGEMENT

This is a fully remote position open to candidates across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The role is ideally based in East Africa, although candidates located within GMT+0 to GMT+4 time zones on the African continent may apply.

Candidates must be willing to travel up to 50% of the time for field sprints and stakeholder alignment.

SALARY

$45,000–$61,818 USD per year.

YLabs pays full-time staff in the local currency of their permanent work location.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The position is open until filled and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Expected start date is as soon as possible.

Only successful candidates will be contacted once the hiring process begins.

APPLICATION LINK

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

IMPORTANT NOTICE

All information provided by applicants will be treated confidentially in accordance with applicable EEO guidelines.

Employment offers are conditional upon satisfactory background checks and criminal record clearances.