Research Communications @Unknown

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Consultancy: Research Communications

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BACKGROUND

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In 2023, Unitaid funded Frontline AIDS to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of underutilised harm reduction strategies and hepatitis C (HCV) prevention innovations among people who use drugs in community, health facilities, and prison settings across Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, and Nigeria. These innovations include Long-Acting Depot Buprenorphine (LADB), Low-Dead-Space Syringes and Needles (LDSS/N), and integrated hepatitis C testing and treatment. Five research studies and two program interventions are ongoing, with preliminary results available and studies expected to conclude by August 2027.

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Findings and insights from these projects are being shared at conferences, workshops, and policy forums in 2026 and 2027. These results will inform WHO guidelines on opioid dependence treatment, overdose prevention, and HCV diagnosis and care for drug users. Additionally, country partners aim to leverage this evidence to advocate for increased resources supporting harm reduction efforts at district, state, and national levels. The goal is to sustain and expand these interventions to help eliminate HCV.

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This consultancy will help convert emerging HEPC III evidence into clear, accurate and actionable communications that support policy influence, resource mobilisation and implementation uptake across Egypt, Kyrgyzstan and Nigeria.

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Frontline AIDS is looking for a consultant:

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Frontline AIDS is looking to hire a knowledge exchange and research communications specialist to help synthesise and translate the research findings from the project into an accessible reference document linking to key research outputs and with key messages. Secondly, they will translate preliminary findings into research communication products, in close liaison with the Frontline AIDS research lead and the communications team, to ensure the work is accurate, accessible to a wide audience, and aligned to Frontline AIDS’ brand and tone of voice.​

​We are seeking proposals from individuals who have significant experience:

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2. Objectives
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The consultant will support the Frontline AIDS project team to:​

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Translate complex qualitative and quantitative research findings into: 

1. An accessible reference document that synthesises and sets out key findings from across the project’s research outputs, linking to those key research outputs and setting out key messages related to the overall research findings. This document will be developed in collaboration with the Research Lead and research team to ensure accuracy.
2. Clear, evidence-based and actionable communications products, including briefs, summaries and presentation materials tailored to priority stakeholder audiences including policymakers, health and finance officials, program implementers, and donors. This will include the development of content for effectively communicating about the research at national and international conferences to strengthen the visibility and reach of the HEPC III project’s findings.
3. Support the project’s advocacy goals by developing key advocacy messages and recommendations with the research and advocacy teams, so the research findings can reach wider, relevant advocacy groups 
4. Contribute to the project’s dissemination strategy for key conferences, workshops, and policy forums in 2026–2027, working closely with the Frontline AIDS research and communications teams, who will lead on this.

1. Scope of Work
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3. The Research Communications Consultant will work with the Frontline AIDS programme, research and communications teams to understand, analyse and synthesise the data collection points for each study, review preliminary evidence and existing outputs for each study. They will  translate these findings into an accessible reference document (see further detail above) working closely with relevant Frontline AIDS teams, primarily the research team, to ensure accuracy. This document will help ensure we have a reference document to inform further corporate communications materials. They will next develop research communications products that share the research in an engaging and clear way to make it accessible to lay audiences with little understanding of the field to support fundraising, advocacy and knowledge exchange. This will include developing communications content agreed with the team based on audience needs.

3. ​Evidence Review and Messaging 

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• Review preliminary qualitative and quantitative data, study protocols, existing project reports, and partner outputs across Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, and Nigeria.
• Work with the research and programme teams to identify the most salient findings. Develop an accessible reference document for Frontline AIDS that synthesises and sets out key findings from across the project’s research outputs, linking to those key research outputs and setting out key messages related to the overall research findings. This document will be developed in collaboration with the Research Lead and research team to ensure accuracy and with the communications team to ensure that it will usefully support further communications.
• As part of the reference document, develop a simple messaging framework or key messages document that can be adapted across different formats and audiences.

2. ​Content Development (in consultation with Frontline AIDS comms team)
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   • Working closely with the research and the communications teams at Frontline AIDS develop a content strategy for reaching key audiences identified by the research team. 
   • Draft edit and design a range of written communications products, including infographics, technical summaries, blog posts, and website articles or other formats to reach those audiences identified by the team, including policymakers, government ministries of health, programme implementers, donors, and community stakeholders.
   • All of this work will be done in close collaboration with the communications team to ensure the content reflects Frontline AIDS’ tone of voice, brand and to ensure messaging clarity. 
   • Develop presentation decks on topics identified by the team and consultant to be used as the basis for use at conferences, stakeholder workshops, and donor meetings, in collaboration with the programme team.
   • As part of the reference document or separate to this create a series of social media messages and posts to help the wider communications team share key research findings while ensuring all communications accurately represent the evidence and maintain the integrity of the underlying research.

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Data Visualisation and Design

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1. Translate quantitative and qualitative findings into accessible charts, infographics and summary graphics that implementing partners, consortium members and advocacy audiences can use to communicate key HEPC III findings clearly.
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   • Work with the team to develop visually engaging one-pagers or fact sheets summarising key results from individual studies or country programmes.
   • Review and refine existing visual materials to ensure consistency, clarity, and alignment with Frontline AIDS brand guidelines.

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2. Dissemination Support
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   • Support the programme team in preparing materials ahead of key conferences, workshops, and policy forums scheduled for 2026–2027.
6. All outputs should be developed collaboratively and ensuring that it is reviewed by the relevant teams, including ​the programme, research and communications teams. This would be to ensure technical accuracy, protection of unpublished findings, ethical presentation of community perspectives, and alignment with Frontline AIDS brand, tone of voice and wider strategic priorities.
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8. Key Deliverables 
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10. The consultancy will begin with a short inception phase to agree the scope of the consultancy and outputs as set out above timelines and review arrangements. Deliverables will then be sequenced around agreed dissemination moments, including conferences, workshops, donor engagement and policy forums in 2026 and 2027.

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  • The following deliverables are indicative. Final outputs will be agreed with the programme team at the start of the consultancy and may be adjusted based on emerging priorities. 
  • Research key findings and messaging framework / document (covering all three country contexts and primary innovation areas – see further detail above).
  • 2–3 fact sheets, policy briefs or technical summaries tailored to specific audiences (e.g., WHO, national ministries of health, donors).
  • Pitches for relevant research and medical journals such as British Medical Journal or South African Medical Journals in order to raise the profile of the research findings 
  • 6 – 7 presentation decks for use at conferences or stakeholder workshops.
  • Social media content package/ reference social media materials to help the wider communications team share key research findings, for at least one major dissemination moment (conference or report launch).
  • 2–4 infographics or data visualisations illustrating key findings to be developed in collaboration with the research/ comms teams and, if necessary, with an external designer.
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Required Qualifications and Experience

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• Minimum of 7-10 years’ experience in research communications and knowledge exchange, working with research or higher education institutions
• Proven track record in developing and delivering communications strategies and research communications reference documents 
• Proven experience of working with a range of stakeholders from a range of linguistic and cultural contexts, particularly in Africa and/or the Middle East.
• Experience of carrying out research communications in the field of harm reduction, HIV or social justice preferred.
• Excellent understanding of the latest knowledge exchange and research communications approaches and strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines.
• Fluency in English required; fluency in Arabic and/or Russian is a significant asset for this role.

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1. GRANT Details​

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Project: Innovate, Involve, Inspire: Preventing Hepatitis C Through Community-Led Harm Reduction (HEPC III)​

Location: Remote​

Duration: ​20 days between Sept 1st and December 1st 2026​

Reporting to: Lead Programmes, UNITAID III.​

Starting date: asap

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Please review the attached SOW and follow the instructions to submit your application: SOW_Research Communications Consultant .pdf

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Please share your expressions of interest via email before the 20th of August 2026. Please include a CV, a statement outlining prior experience and samples of work from similar assignments undertaken. Please quote a daily rate. Send to: Rumbi Mangoma