Careers

Position: Consultant, Strategic Communications

Location: London, UK

Line manager: Director

Type of contract: Full-time, Permanent & Pensionable

We are recruiting for a Consultant to join our London team, which acts as the international hub for the group. The role will primarily be delivered in English but strong French language skills will be essential as several of our clients operate in Francophone Africa.

Role Purpose

• Manage strategic communications mandates for clients
• Lead engagement with international, pan-African business and trade media
• Create outstanding content and design and deliver compelling digital engagement programmes

Responsibilities

Client service 

• Manage client servicing on strategic communications mandates (leadership positioning, issues management and crisis communications, corporate communications, public diplomacy, advocacy and media relations)
• Build relationships with clients as a trusted advisor on complex issues
• Manage assigned accounts efficiently and profitably
• Create outstanding written and multimedia content designed to tell intriguing stories and connect with the target audience
• Apply strong digital skills to design and execute creative, distinctive and data-driven advocacy strategies
• Design and deliver innovative and effective media relations strategies to build and defend client reputation and establish a strong leadership position
• Demonstrate industry knowledge and insights in sectors reflecting your clients’ business (likely to be primarily private equity, development, agribusiness, FMCG, infrastructure, Government)

Business Development

• Develop proposals with guidance from directors
• Design and deliver marketing and thought leadership initiatives to generate new business leads and build Africa Practice’s profile and reputation amongst core target audiences

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Proven track record (3-5 years’ experience) designing and delivering strategic communications mandates for blue chip clients
• High level, current media contacts with international, pan-African and specialist trade media
• Strong digital skills (social media listening and engagement; production of creative digital multimedia content)
• Outstanding consulting skills, confident media relations specialist, robust project management skills, astute analytical capability, strategic thinking and effective management and team working style, proven ability to counsel clients in periods of crisis
• Industry experience in several of the following sectors: private equity, development finance, development, agribusiness, FMCG, infrastructure, technology
• Outstanding written and verbal presentation and communications skills – ability to influence and persuade
• Proven ability to build and manage complex and sensitive client and stakeholder relationships
• Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively in a fast paced, dynamic working environment
• Knowledge of African media, business trends and dynamics
• Fluency in French

Do you want to join a dynamic, purpose-driven and ambitious company? Please send us your CV together with a covering letter explaining why you think you are suited to this position. Please specify your availability and send the application with the reference ‘Consultant, Strategic Communication, London’

Deadline: 28/02/2020

Location: Johannesburg, SA

Line manager: Director, Southern Africa

Type of contract: Full-time, 2-years, pensionable

We are recruiting for a Consultant to join our Johannesburg team, which acts as the regional hub for Southern Africa and supports Pan-African mandates of the group. The role will primarily be delivered in English but strong French language skills would be a major advantage as several of our clients operate in Francophone Africa.

Role Purpose

• Manage strategic communications mandates for clients
• Lead engagement with international, pan-African business and trade media
• Create outstanding content and design and deliver compelling digital engagement programmes

Responsibilities

Client service 

• Manage client servicing on strategic communications mandates (leadership positioning, issues management and crisis communications, corporate communications, public diplomacy, advocacy and media relations)
• Build relationships with clients as a trusted advisor on complex issues
• Manage assigned accounts efficiently and profitably
• Create outstanding written and multimedia content designed to tell intriguing stories and connect with the target audience
• Apply strong digital skills to design and execute creative, distinctive and data-driven advocacy strategies
• Design and deliver innovative and effective media relations strategies to build and defend client reputation and establish a strong leadership position
• Demonstrate industry knowledge and insights in sectors reflecting your clients’ business (likely to be primarily private equity, development, agribusiness, FMCG, infrastructure, Government)

Business Development

• Develop proposals with guidance from directors
• Design and deliver marketing and thought leadership initiatives to generate new business leads and build Africa Practice’s profile and reputation amongst core target audiences

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Proven track record (3-5 years’ experience) designing and delivering strategic communications mandates for blue chip clients
• High level, current media contacts with international, pan-African and specialist trade media
• Strong digital skills (social media listening and engagement; production of creative digital multimedia content)
• Outstanding consulting skills, confident media relations specialist, robust project management skills, astute analytical capability, strategic thinking and effective management and team working style, proven ability to counsel clients in periods of crisis
• Industry experience in several of the following sectors: private equity, development finance, development, agribusiness, FMCG, infrastructure, technology
• Outstanding written and verbal presentation and communications skills – ability to influence and persuade
• Proven ability to build and manage complex and sensitive client and stakeholder relationships
• Demonstrated experience in the design and execution of multichannel, segmented digital content strategy – using analytics for data driven design, monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively in a fast paced, dynamic working environment
• Knowledge of African media, business trends and dynamics

Do you want to join a dynamic, purpose-driven and ambitious company? Please send us your CV together with a covering letter explaining why you think you are suited to this position. Please specify your availability and send the application with the reference ‘Consultant, Strategic Communication, Johannesburg’

Deadline: 28/02/2020

Position: Consultant or Senior Consultant, Intelligence and Analysis

Location: London, UK

Line manager: Head of Intelligence and Analysis

Type of contract: Full-time, permanent and pensionable

The company

Africa Practice is a pan-African advisory firm operating at the nexus of government and industry. We work with high-profile public and private sector clients to help them manage risks and reputation in complex contexts. Our work is increasingly geared towards the development community, with a focus on sustainability and impact investment.

We specialise in political and regulatory risk advisory, business intelligence, advocacy and strategic communications. With offices in London, Johannesburg, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Lagos, and Gaborone, Africa Practice is uniquely positioned to assist our clients to identify, evaluate and pursue opportunities in Africa.

The position

The Consultant or Senior Consultant will play a key role in our Intelligence and Analysis practice, advising clients across the continent, with a focus on Francophone Africa. The Consultant or Senior Consultant will run complex intelligence and risk consulting projects; provide expert political insight; help develop effective market-entry, government relations and communications strategies; build and maintain a network of government, industry and civil society sources; and develop new business. Travel across the continent is an integral part of this position.

Responsibilities

Consulting services

• Run complex political and commercial intelligence projects and own the client deliverables
• Develop creative consulting solutions for clients facing specific challenges or opportunities
• Participate in client briefings on political, regulatory and commercial developments across sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular specialisation in Francophone Africa
• Develop, manage and advise on relationships with key stakeholders, stakeholder engagement plans, while overseeing and co-ordinating mutually beneficial relationships built on a firm understanding of strategic priorities
• Network with key stakeholders to gather insights and formulate a robust analytical perspective on critical issues for our clients
• Ensure that consulting projects are conducted and delivered within the required timeframe, while simultaneously satisfying Africa Practice’s quality standards
• Provide peer-to-peer editing support whenever needed
• Build strong and profitable client relationships

 Research and analysis

• Produce regular, high-quality analysis on political, regulatory and commercial developments in Francophone Africa and elsewhere across the continent
• Maintain a high level of regional expertise through desktop research, attendance of relevant fora, conversations with well-placed sources and in-country intelligence gathering
• Develop and maintain a network of expert contacts and subcontractors in the region

 Marketing and business development

• Prepare and contribute to the elaboration of proposals for both ad hoc and retainer-based projects
• Support business development for Africa Practice in London
• Produce innovative marketing collateral
• Liaise regularly with Africa Practice’s offices in Nairobi, Lagos, Johannesburg, Dar es Salaam and Gaborone
• Support marketing initiatives to generate new business leads
• Represent Africa Practice at relevant conferences and seminars

 Media work

• Develop strong relationships with regional and trade journalists and publications
• Provide expert comment to media and undertake broadcast work as requested

 Role requirements

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, postgraduate degree preferred

Minimum 3 years’ experience working on and analysing African politics. Detailed knowledge of the political, operational and commercial dynamics on the continent.

• Outstanding verbal and written communication. An ability to write clearly, concisely and authoritatively to tight deadlines, with little editorial assistance is crucial for this role
• Excellent investigative and analytical skills, combined with a genuine interest in current African affairs
• Proven ability to manage account delivery on highly dynamic, sensitive and challenging briefs
• A robust network of contacts with local and foreign political experts, government officials and private sector players, as well as enthusiasm about expanding these contacts
• Aptitude for problem solving, attention to detail and collaborating with subject matter experts to address clients’ issues beyond the deployment of standard industry solutions
• Excellent, influencing, persuasion and engagement skills
• A self-starter, able to work on their own initiative on complex issues
• Diplomacy, tact and understanding of priorities to achieve common goals
• Ability to adapt well to changing demands or ambiguous situations, with an eagerness to seize opportunities
• Ability to cultivate strong trust-based relationships with people at all levels within the company and its regional hubs, as well as client organisations and the wider business and political ecosystem
• Professional proficiency in French and/or Portuguese highly desirable
• Experience in business development preferred

What we offer

• Rewarding, intellectually stimulating project work that benefits from creative thinking and allows for ownership and direct client contact
• Client base comprising global leaders across a truly diverse set of sectors, including tech, renewable energy, development, financial institutions, healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure, among others
• Opportunity for frequent travel across sub-Saharan Africa
• Direct mentorship from multi-disciplinary experts with established track records in the industry
• Collaboration with a diverse dynamic cross-border team, which is 82% African and 52% female
• Training support in areas of particular interest and/or of expected future impact and salience on the continent
• Competitive remuneration and comprehensive pension and healthcare packages

If Interested please send us a detailed CV, together with a cover letter specifying your suitability and availability.

Deadline- 13/03/2020

We are always interested in hearing from smart, curious people with strong analytical, engagement, digital and problem-solving skills.

If you think this is you – and you’re a natural team player who thrives in complex, dynamic situations – go ahead and click the link below to send us a short note and attach a c.v.

Please note we welcome your enquiry, but cannot guarantee to respond in all cases. Thank you for your understanding.

LOCATION: Johannesburg, South Africa

LINE MANAGER: Consultant

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Full-time, 2-years, pensionable

ROLE PROFILE: 

Monitoring, Research & Analysis

• Monitor current events, policy decisions and legislation changes
• Stay up-to-date with, and forecast, political, economic and social trends and developments
• Provide original, concise, well structured and detailed commercial and political research and analysis materials that show an understanding of the clients requirements
• Present research and analysis in well drafted reports, or by giving presentations and publishing articles
• Evaluate the effects of policies and laws on government, businesses and people
• Develop Africa- and industry-specific expertise and network through reading, research and attendance at relevant seminars, and establish contacts and sources to use in future research

Client Support:

Business Development:

• Provide background research and intelligence for pitches and meetings with potential clients
• Participate in marketing events
• Proactively seek opportunities to increase AP’s visibility across the region

MIN REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

2 year(s)

MIN QUALIFICATION:

Bachelor’s Degree

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum 2 years’ demonstrated professional experience
• Must be eligible to work in South Africa
• Experience of operating within a commercial environment
• Excellent verbal and written English
• Sound reasoning and critical thinking
• Good grasp of political and economic affairs
• Ability to synthesise large amounts of information in a concise manner while extracting pertinent insights
• Creative nature and ability to present complex information in a visual manner
• Proficiency in MS Applications, incl. excellent power point skills
• Attention to detail
• Willingness to learn

Do you want to join a dynamic, purpose-driven and ambitious company? Please send us your CV together with a cover letter explaining why you think you are suited to this position. Please specify your availability and send the application with the reference ‘Associate Consultant, Johannesburg’’

Deadline – 28/02/2020

Contract Duration– 3 months

Start date-o1/04/2020

The Company

Africa Practice is an Africa-focused advisory firm operating at the intersect of government and industry. We specialise in political risk advisory, public affairs and strategic communications. We advise industry and governments, helping them to identify opportunity, manage risk and overcome critical communications challenges.

Our clients are among the largest institutions, companies and investors on the African continent. We help them to manage complex relationships with demanding and critical audiences including regulators, media, capital markets, customers and suppliers.

Our clients have one thing in common – they each face significant challenges in competitive environments where the margin for error is small and where the opportunities are great. We support them to enter new markets, engage on policy and regulation, launch new services, acquire or restructure, raise capital or simply raise awareness and understanding.

We are seeking a full-time paid intern to join our small but vibrant team in London.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Monitor and analyse media coverage and stakeholder sentiment on key issues and themes relevant to our clients in Anglophone and Francophone press;
Produce analysis on media trends and media perception on selected topics and themes;
Conduct in-depth open source intelligence research to inform client work;
Draft articles, research notes, thought-pieces and intelligence updates for internal team and client audiences;
Continuous monitoring of political and commercial events across Africa;
Support with other client accounts and business development activities as directed.
Role Requirements

Minimum 2:1 degree in social sciences, humanities or other relevant subject
Languages: Professionally fluent written and spoken English and French
Strong research, analysis and writing skills
Excellent communications and digital skills, with creative approach
Good grasp of current political and economic matters
Keen interest in current affairs and curiosity about commercial developments in Africa
Interest in media relations and risk advisory
Familiarity with social media and digital marketing concepts highly desirable

Deadline- 13/03/2020