WACREN is recruiting a Communications and Marketing Manager to lead and strengthen the organisation’s communications, marketing, visibility, stakeholder engagement, and event activities across West and Central Africa. The West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN) is the regional research and education network (REN) connecting National Research and Education Networks (NRENs), universities, and research institutions across West and Central Africa. WACREN is evolving from a primarily connectivity-focused network into a regional digital infrastructure, platform, and trust institution, spanning federated identity, open science platforms, cybersecurity coordination, AI and climate services, and a continent-scale capacity development programme. About The Role WACREN is recruiting a Communications and Marketing Manager to lead the communications and marketing function through this transition. Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer, the role makes WACREN’s growing platform portfolio (including LIBSENSE, eduID.africa, TrustBroker Africa, BonafID, Africa Digital Campus, EduAI, CLIMET and PublicHealth.Africa) legible and credible to member NRENs, partner institutions, funders and the wider public, and owns WACREN’s flagship annual conference as its single largest visibility event. Key Responsibilities ● Develop and implement WACREN’s annual Communication and Marketing Plan, aligned to the Strategic Pillars and Platforms. ● Market WACREN’s revenue-generating shared-service portfolio, including platform hosting, identity federation, collaboration services, cybersecurity coordination, and training, in support of WACREN’s institutional sustainability goals. ● Plan and ensure the end-to-end execution of WACREN’s flagship annual marketing, communications, and visibility conference, under the coordination of the CSO and the supervision of the CEO. ● Develop and maintain diversified communications channels (website, social media, newsletter, stakeholder briefings) and ensure WACREN activities are timely and adequately reported across them. ● Support communications for WACREN’s trust and identity services, including BonafID, WACREN ISAC and TrustBroker Africa, for both specialist and institutional audiences. ● Work with LIBSENSE to translate platform and infrastructure investment into institutional adoption messaging for universities and NRENs, and build and maintain a network of communication professionals and focal points across member NRENs to relay WACREN’s messages regionally. ● Support the visibility of WACREN’s emerging flagship initiatives, including PublicHealth.Africa (PHA) for digital health and public health open science. ● Prepare publications, brochures, case studies and other promotional materials, and support Board- and donor-facing reporting with a clear external-facing narrative. Qualifications Required And Experience ● Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field; a Master’s degree is an advantage. ● At least 5–7 years’ experience in communications or marketing, ideally within a regional or international, donor-funded, research, education, or technology/network environment. ● Excellent written and spoken English; working French is desirable given WACREN’s Francophone membership. ● Demonstrated experience planning and executing conferences or comparable multi-day institutional events, including budget and vendor management. ● Proven experience developing and running multi-channel communications and social media strategies. ● Ability to translate technical and infrastructure content into clear messaging for non-specialist audiences. ● Willingness and ability to travel regionally. Role Details • Duration: 3-year, renewable fixed term contract • Compensation: Competitive salary package • Place of duty: Accra, Ghana, with regional travel • Reports to: Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) How to Apply Interested candidates should Submit the following documents to vacancy@wacren.net with the subject line: “Application — Communications and Marketing Manager — [Your Name]” • CV • Cover letter • Contact details of three professional references. Deadline: September 25, 2026 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. WACREN is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates across its member countries.
