Knowledge and Communications Lead

YLabs is seeking a Knowledge and Communications Lead to shape the narrative for a major, multi-year partnership with a global foundation.

The partnership is testing new approaches to programs for young people across Africa.

• Job Title: Knowledge and Communications Lead
• Job Location: Remote, Sub-Saharan Africa
• Closing Date: Open until filled
• Work Format: Fully remote; candidates must be based in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Employment Type: Full-time, 12-month initial contract with possible extension
• Working Hours: 40 hours per week
• Salary: $45,000-$61,818 USD per year, paid in the local currency of the employee's permanent work location
• Department: Marketing & Communications
• Job Level: P5 - Lead
• The successful candidate will work closely with researchers, designers, project leads, and partners to turn live discussions and complex technical material into clear, timely communications.
• Deliverables may include research decks, leadership briefs, reports, blogs, and toolkits.
• About YLabs
• YLabs is a global design and research organization working to improve health and economic opportunity 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 develop products and services addressing sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, mental health, financial inclusion, and climate resilience.

Job Summary

• Employer: YLabs
• Job Type: Full-time
• Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
• Category: Marketing & Communications
• Salary: $45,000-$61,818 USD per year, paid in the local currency of the employee's permanent work location
• Closing Date: 2026-10-14

Key Responsibilities

• Attend partner calls, capture key information, and produce content without requiring a separate briefing.
• Turn discussions and emerging ideas into decks, briefs, blogs, and reports on short timelines.
• Draft, edit, and finalize research decks, leadership summaries, quarterly and annual reports, and toolkit content.
• Own and develop the partnership's core narrative across countries and workstreams.
• Establish clear, consistent language for communicating the work to leaders and partners.
• Maintain a unified voice across the portfolio and help project teams apply it.
• Review and write RFPs, experiment design documents, research protocols, and playbooks.
• Clarify, restructure, and edit dense internal documents for their intended audiences.
• Shape the content architecture of reports, presentations, and toolkits.
• Work with the Graphic Designer to develop templates and a concise style guide.
• Build a reusable library of core language, descriptions, and framing.
• Collaborate proactively with project leads, researchers, and designers to keep content accurate, timely, and aligned with the work.

Requirements

• At least seven years of professional experience in strategic communications, editorial work, knowledge translation, or technical writing.
• At least three years of experience in international development, philanthropy, or social impact.
• Demonstrated ability to turn complex research, program models, or technical material into clear content for senior audiences.
• A portfolio featuring a range of formats, such as reports, presentations, briefs, blogs, and at least one technical or research-based document.
• Experience working closely with researchers, designers, or program teams.
• Experience maintaining a consistent voice across multiple products or teams.
• Exceptional written English and the ability to work quickly without compromising quality.
• Comfort working with ambiguity and changing priorities.

Salary

$45,000-$61,818 USD per year, paid in the local currency of the employee's permanent work location

How to Apply

To apply, please visit: ylabs.bamboohr.com