Community Engagement Manager - African Clinical Research Network

Location: Remote based within Africa but requiring travel to various locations

Hours: Full -time

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Oxford’s purpose is to have a global impact by fundamentally reimagining the way science and technology translate into end-to-end solutions and delivering these solutions in programmes and platforms that respond to humanity’s most challenging problems. 

EIT Oxford will ensure scientific discoveries and pioneering science are turned into products for the benefit of society that can have high-impact worldwide and, over time, be commercialised to ensure long-term sustainability. 

Led by a faculty of world experts, EIT Oxford seeks to solve the world’s most challenging problems across four high-risk, high-reward, high-impact humane endeavours: health and medical science; food security and sustainable agriculture; climate change and clean energy; and government innovation in an era of artificial intelligence. 

Job Summary: 
We are establishing a clinical research network and are on a mission to revolutionise clinical research in Africa. Our vision is to build a sustainable, African-led research ecosystem that drives health equity and innovation. By establishing a network of world-class clinical research sites and capabilities, we aim to generate the evidence Africa needs to inform health decisions and policies, while cultivating the next generation of African scientific leaders. 

Africa has been underrepresented in global clinical research, conducting only 2% of clinical research despite shouldering 25% of the world's disease burden. While there have been significant investments in disease-specific clinical research sites and networks, these approaches have often led to fragmented infrastructure, limited capacity, and reliance on expatriate leadership. Such models have struggled to drive long-term sustainability or meet the broader health needs of African countries and regions beyond narrow therapeutic areas. Consequently, health products and policies in Africa are often informed by data from other settings, which may not fully account for the rich diversity of African populations and local contexts. This lack of locally relevant evidence hinders the development of tailored health solutions that effectively address Africa's unique challenges and priorities. 

Our clinical research network is on a mission to transform this landscape. By partnering with leading institutions and trial units across the continent, we will establish a network of clinical research sites that serve two critical goals: diversifying global research and empowering Africa to meet the healthcare needs of its rapidly growing population.  

Our network will be designed to catalyze Africa's self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical and vaccine R&D and manufacturing, ensuring the continent can drive its own health innovation agenda. We will establish digital and clinical infrastructure, while prioritizing deep community engagement to foster trust, relevance and impact.  

At our sites, we will conduct rigorous, ethical research that puts African populations and priorities at the centre. By generating high-quality local data that reflects the diversity of African contexts, we can accelerate the development and delivery of tailored global health solutions - for Africa, by Africa. Our goal is to build sustainable research capacity that outlasts any single study or funder, empowering African institutions to become global leaders in clinical research and scientific innovation for generations to come. 

Overview:

The Community Engagement Manager leads the development and implementation of community engagement strategies for clinical research programs. This role serves as the bridge between the research organisation and local communities, ensuring meaningful participation, cultural sensitivity, and sustainable partnerships while promoting research literacy and community empowerment.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Engagement Strategy:

Develop and implement a comprehensive community engagement strategy tailored to the diverse cultural and social contexts of the countries we operate in.

Foster strong relationships with community leaders, government agencies, and local organizations to promote collaboration and awareness.

Participant Recruitment and Retention:

Design and oversee community-centered initiatives to recruit and retain participants for clinical studies.

Ensure participants are well-informed about the purpose, benefits, and ethical considerations of the studies.

Capacity Building and Education:

Organise workshops, seminars, and educational campaigns to raise awareness about clinical research and its impact on public health.

Train staff and community representatives to act as liaisons between the company and local communities.

Feedback and Reporting:

Establish feedback mechanisms to understand community needs, concerns, and expectations.

Prepare regular reports on community engagement activities and provide recommendations to improve outreach.

Ethical and Cultural Sensitivity:

Ensure that all engagement activities align with ethical guidelines and respect cultural norms.

Work closely with the ethics and compliance teams to address any community concerns regarding research practices.

Event Management and Communication:

Plan and manage community events to promote the company’s research initiatives.

Develop and distribute communication materials, including brochures, newsletters, and social media content, to enhance community awareness.

Qualifications:

Education:Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Public Health, or related field. Master’s degree in relevant field an added advantage

Experience:

Minimum 5 years' experience in community engagement, preferably in healthcare or clinical research with experience with participatory approaches

Strong understanding of research ethics and demonstrated cultural competency

Fluency in English is required; proficiency in other African languages is a plus

Skills & Competencies:

Excellent interpersonal abilities, strong facilitation skills and conflict resolution expertise

Project management capabilities with budget management experience

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools

Desired Attributes:

Cultural sensitivity and awareness, strong emotional intelligence and excellent listening skills

Adaptability and flexibility with problem-solving orientation

Patient and empathetic approach as well as strong ethical judgment

This position is remote based within the continent of Africa, with occasional travel to head office and partnered research sites, as necessary. The role may require flexible working hours to support remote teams and ensure systems are running smoothly across time zones.