Senior Communications Officer, Audience Research and Digital Analytics (Africa Regional Office) at Gates Foundation

What You'll Do


Work with colleagues and partners to build a pan-African research and analytics portfolio that supports communications activities to engage audiences on our most important priorities.
Translate research findings into research-informed communication assets and strategic recommendations, and collaborate with colleagues to implement these findings.
Coordinate and manage vendors involved in the production, collection, and analysis of communications data and research.
Use social listening and media monitoring tools to translate real-time data on social discourse into insights with clear, actionable implications for communications strategy.
Conduct social, digital, and media sentiment analysis to support issues and reputation monitoring across multiple African markets, as well as understanding of information disorder on key topics.
Develop and maintain dashboards, scorecards, and reporting tools with key performance indicators tailored to regional and audience needs.
Design and implement systems to measure the outputs, outcomes, and impact of digital and integrated communications efforts.
Build measurement frameworks for digital communication interventions, including theories of change, KPIs, and learning agendas.
Oversee the implementation of public opinion research projects (both qualitative and quantitative) to inform communication design and audience engagement strategies in Africa.
Scope, design, and manage audience research, including segmentation, message development and testing, content testing, perception and attitude benchmarking, and tracking studies.
Develop measurement plans and evaluate the impact of foundation communications initiatives across diverse cultural, linguistic, and policy environments.
Support an inclusive, collaborative culture by modeling foundation values and escalating issues appropriately and in a timely manner.


Your Experience


Bachelor's degree (advanced degree preferred) in relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience.
Significant experience (8-10 years) in communications research, measurement, evaluation, or audience insights in a similar role, focused on African audiences and media.
Demonstrated expertise in evaluating digital communications campaigns and media performance.
Deep understanding of pan-African media dynamics and context.
Strong proficiency in social and traditional media analytics, digital monitoring, network analysis, sentiment analysis, and owned-channel performance.
Experience building multi-channel measurement frameworks and mapping indicators to objectives, outcomes, and goals.
Agency and consultancy experience an advantage.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (including pivot tables and macros) and strong data visualization skills, particularly in PowerPoint.
Experience using social listening and media analysis tools such as Brandwatch, Meltwater, or similar platforms.
Familiarity with digital analytics and tracking tools (e.g., Adobe Analytics, social media analytics, UTM/CID codes, pixel-based remarketing).
Familiarity with, experience using, and deep curiosity about AI-enabled tools and systems.
Experience interpreting quantitative and qualitative public opinion research methods, including survey research, focus groups, and interviews.
Experience setting up digital data collection activities, with additional evaluation methods considered a plus.
Strong ability to synthesize complex information and clearly communicate insights and present implications to diverse stakeholders.
Understanding of project and program management processes, workflows, and terminology.
Familiarity with the research supplier landscape, including regional and global vendors and partners.
Experience working with emerging research methodologies, metrics, and best practices in digital and social media environments.
Knowledge of paid media and promotion techniques is an asset.
Experience working in a fast-paced and matrix environment, requiring cultural awareness and a collaborative nature that knows the benefits of seeking consensus, is strongly preferred.