Ms. Namlondwe Swai

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF SCIENCE COMMUNICATION

As a graduate student you are likely to be surrounded by plenty of career advice and options.Those of us who aren’t sold on any  fields are left wondering what other career paths are available. One field, which has received little attention by most faculty and institutional career centers in the past, is science communication (SciComm). Briefly, a job in SciComm involves you communicating science, typically to laypeople but sometimes even to other scientists. Examples include formal science education in a classroom, informal education in a setting like a museum, outreach to various populations and science writing.

Communicating science, like any other form of teaching, can be incredibly fulfilling. You’ll have the chance to see the light bulb go on when a person grasps something they just weren’t understanding before, or share the excitement of learning about an awesome science story. Working in a field like this allows you to be able to break down subject matters in a way that people with a range of backgrounds in science can understand. This could include kids and adults, depending on the populations you want to reach. It’s also important that you make science approachable and fun – it helps if you have a little bit of creativity to come up with new and interesting ways to present science, whether it be with a hands-on experiment or an analogy that can be easily understood.

That's why here at KEMRI, we want to give the young mind an opportunity to explore this opportunity. We are offering a chance to train a communication attachee whose position will be responsible for assisting in implementation of communication activities of the Training Department particularly those supported under the Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders (IDEAL).

The position will involve one to:

1. Assist with the development of multimedia content (video, photos, podcasts, etc) to enhance the visibility of IDeAL and KWTRP’s Training Department.
2. Identify and develop short video and photo stories of IDeAL fellows.
3. Support the implementation of community and public engagement activities.
4. Assist in development of content for IDeAL’s social media platforms and other training activities at KWTRP.
5. Support IDeAL’s M&E activities and especially, in preparing case histories of IDeAL’s beneficiaries.

When I'm asked what sort of qualifications are needed for a job in science communication, it's often difficult to pinpoint which qualities are most important from the wide range that are required. However, one will be required to have the basics ,i.e.

1. A Bachelors degree in Journalism, Media and Communications (or any other relevant field of study).
2. Knowledge and experience in handling video, still cameras and familiarity with DSLR cameras.
3. Knowledge and experience in editing video and using relevant software including Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premier Pro.
4. Experience in using online communications platforms for disseminating progress and success stories.
5. Experience in designing communication materials for varying audiences.
6. Experience in participating in or managing communications for public events such as conferences.
7. Excellent computer skills particularly in the use of presentational, publishing and image editing software.

Having SciComm will allow one to be able to have the following desirable traits in this field.

1. Work experience in research establishments or capacity building units.
2. Good knowledge of health research.
3. Experience in developing and producing documentaries and social media videos.
4. Strong links with TV, Radio, Newspaper and key media personalities.
5. Exposure to virtual reality and 360 video production.
6. Understanding of computer animation and motion graphics.
7. A strong desire to develop a career in science communication.

Being part of the organization, one is resposible for introducing new initiatives into education programmes, seeking funding, developing shows, and delivering and evaluating shows and workshops. Our core competencies in this field include:

1. Strong writing and storytelling skills
2. Capacity to simplify complex scientific concepts.
3. Tact, poise and excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
4. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships.
5. High level of confidentiality and discretion.
6. Innovative and able to adapt emerging communication tools and trends

If interested in such a mind blowing position kindly apply before 27th December 2019  in our portal for this one in a lifetime opportunity to grow in this field.