Introducing the SVRI

The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is the largest global network for advancing research on violence against women (VAW), violence against children (VAC) and other forms of violence driven by gender inequality. The SVRI brings together a diverse group of actors aiming to achieve a world free of violence against women and violence against children through innovative responses and prevention programmes informed by evidence, with a focus on low and middle-income countries (LMIC).

The SVRI is a not-for-profit network for researchers, practitioners, activists, funders and others in our community providing unique online and offline spaces to share, learn and connect. As knowledge managers in the field, the SVRI gathers, develops, distils and disseminates knowledge for improving policy and practice. We facilitate knowledge exchange and sharing by providing colleagues with a variety of digital communication platforms upon which to network, learn, discuss, influence, and develop innovations to strengthen prevention of and response for violence against women, violence against children and other violence driven by gender inequality in low- and middle-income countries. To ensure the SVRI’s visibility and encourage active participation by our membership, the Communications Manager will continue to develop, strengthen, and implement SVRI’s Communications Strategy to enrich our communications, media, events, and outreach efforts around key areas/projects of the SVRI.

All work undertaken and supported by SVRI strives to be feminist-centred, rights-based, innovative, collaborative, equitable and held to the highest ethical standards. Commitment to diversity and gender equity is core to SVRI’s culture.

Purpose of the Role

The SVRI is seeking an individual to join our committed team to work towards an integrated, coherent, innovative and consistent communications strategy for research dissemination and knowledge exchange across our four pillars. This is an opportunity to join the SVRI team in a full-time role. Key tasks will be developing creative and innovative ways to showcase SVRI’s work and impact, and supporting the Global Advocacy Director in translating evidence to promote uptake, and building influence to shift, disrupt and strengthen the field.

Role Requirements

The scope of the work will include:

1) All communications activities of SVRI projects, including dissemination of internal and external research, capacity building initiatives, courses, online events, grant partners’ achievements, and lessons learned via SVRI platforms and networks.

2) Manage SVRI’s three main channels on a regular basis, which include social media, the website, and the SVRI newsletter.

Maintain a regular social media plan including crafting posts, designing images and social media tiles, writing captions, monitoring channels and promoting users’ engagement. Analyse and evaluate the impact of the social media plan and implement improvements accordingly.
Manage, update and improve the SVRI website: upload content, supervise design, navigation and accessibility, apply search engine optimisation.
Help create, edit and review our weekly newsletter (SVRI Update) and implement email marketing strategies for improvement.

3) Development and packaging of multimedia materials across the four pillars of our work. For instance:

Building evidence: showcase outputs from our grant partners as well as new evidence that is coming out of the field;
Capacity strengthening: sharing new tools, methods and courses on research on VAW and VAC including our own online courses and those of our partners;
Promoting partnerships: finding innovative ways to showcase new learning and findings from the SVRI Forum and SVRI Forum 2024.
Influencing change: share our tools and report on new initiatives, relationships and processes that might influence more and better funding for the field in line with research priorities set by the field.

4) Develop and advise on the communications strategy of specific projects, specifying appropriate communication channels, key audiences, and dissemination methods such as print, web/online media, and social media, to effectively communicate key messages and outputs to SVRI target audiences.

5) Maintain visual, branding and format consistency across all outputs and materials. This includes editing and reviewing reports, layouts, designs, blogs, podcast notes and reels, images and videos.

6) Develop a monitoring and evaluation plan of all channels that links to overall SVRI MEL system to measure the effectiveness of the SVRI Communications Strategy.

7) Other duties as required to ensure the successful delivery of SVRI’s strategic plan.

Required Education:

Degree or advanced degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or similar.
Advanced degree and/or experience in VAW and/or VAC research, public health, development, social sciences or another relevant field.

Required experience:

5 (minimum) to 10 years (or more) of relevant experience within the communications and/or PR fields.
Good understanding of research on violence against women and violence against children.
A track record of engagement globally on violence against women and violence against children, and knowledge of key stakeholders and the field.
Understanding of and ability to foster a feminist approach to this work.
Excellent understanding of ethical issues related to communications, storytelling, and research.
Excellent writing skills.
Good design and presentation skills.
Expertise with all social media platforms and formats.
Experience with knowledge translation, including the ability to translate scientific, peer-reviewed content as well as research best practices into key highlights and messaging for different channels and target audiences.
Excellent IT and database management skills (Word, Outlook, Excel).
Expertise using CSM systems such as WordPress.
Experience in design (Canva), video editing, web design and/or web coordination, and email marketing platforms (Mailchimp).
Experience working in a multicultural, remote team.
Knowledge of trauma-informed, survivor-centred communications.

Required Language:

Fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of other languages is highly desirable.

Salary Range

Depending on experience and expertise, annual earnings will range from 35,000 to 40,000 USD. If based in South Africa, the successful applicant will be paid in South African Rand (ZAR).

Location

This position can be remote, with required travel to in-person meetings to fulfil the duties of the position as listed above. For South African-based applicants, office space is available in Pretoria should the candidate prefer to work onsite.

How to Apply

Applications close on 13 September 2026 at 23:59h (South Africa time).

To apply for the post, you need to apply through Workable and submit:

A letter of application stating the skills and approach you would bring to the role.
Your CV/resume in English, including three referees.
A portfolio of your most important work that best aligns with SVRI, including at least one campaign, 4-5 social media posts and designs, 1-2 press releases or other writing samples. Videos, podcast coordination or production, and web design examples are also welcome.

Thank you to all who apply for this post, we appreciate your interest in working with us. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Sexual Violence Research Initiative

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