Creative Writer, LEAP Centre

Position overview

The Creative Writer will be responsible for creating original written content that supports the LEAP Centre’s outward-facing communications and knowledge-sharing goals at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE). The Centre works to connect academic work with practical care delivery by showcasing health system innovations, building capacity through training and collaboration, and producing insights that can shape policy and help scale effective solutions.

This role requires a writer who can turn complex technical material into clear, engaging stories for a wide range of readers. The person in this position will help establish and maintain LEAP’s editorial tone, style, and voice across all written outputs.

In addition to LEAP-specific work, the writer will also contribute as part of the wider UGHE Marketing and Communications team.

Role details

Reporting line: Marketing and Communications Manager, UGHE, with a dotted reporting line to the Cluster Lead of Evidence to Practice at LEAP Centre

Department: Marketing and Communications, Office of the Vice Chancellor

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Travel: Occasional international travel is required, around 5–10%

Key responsibilities

• Help shape and carry out LEAP’s communications and engagement strategy alongside LEAP leadership and the LEAP Program Manager.
• Establish LEAP’s editorial voice and maintain a consistent tone, style, and writing approach across all communications materials and channels.
• Create high-quality internal and external content that communicates LEAP’s mission, activities, and impact to audiences such as the OnePIH community, collaborators, donors, and funders.
• Produce a range of written materials, including newsletters, annual reports, briefs, op-eds, case studies, white papers, and promotional or informational content.
• Refresh and manage written content for LEAP’s website presence, including the landing page, as well as social media content, while staying aligned with PIH, UGHE, and LEAP editorial standards.
• Act as the link between technical/programmatic work and public communications by turning implementation findings, health systems data, and frontline insights into clear, audience-friendly narratives.
• Work with researchers, program leads, and implementing partners to identify key messages and develop content that is understandable to non-specialist audiences, including policymakers, funders, and the broader global health community.
• Lead writing and editorial support for LEAP knowledge products such as case studies, white papers, technical reports, op-eds, and learning briefs, ensuring strong quality and authority.
• Support the communications and layout preparation of knowledge products so they remain visually aligned with LEAP and UGHE branding.
• Create scripts, voice-over text, and story concepts for video and multimedia projects, keeping the messaging aligned with LEAP’s communications goals.
• Work with LEAP leadership, the UGHE Marketing and Communications team, and on-site communications teams to shape content strategy for audiovisual storytelling.
• Assist with communication, promotion, and planning for LEAP-hosted in-person and online events such as webinars, workshops, convenings, and launches.
• Prepare event-related written materials and coordinate with internal teams to ensure messages are shared on time and follow-up communication is handled effectively.

Qualifications and experience

Education

• A degree in communications, journalism, public health, international development, or a closely related discipline is required.
• A master’s degree in global health communications, public health, or another writing-heavy field is strongly preferred.
• A portfolio of published or distributed writing is required, including at least one substantial long-form piece such as a report, white paper, case study, or feature article. This may be in place of, or in addition to, formal academic qualifications.

Experience

• At least 3–5 years of professional writing experience is required, with some of that experience gained in a global health, academic, or research-adjacent setting.
• Proven ability to produce strong long-form and short-form content, including reports, case studies, op-eds, and narrative briefs, for different audiences.
• Experience converting technical or scientific information into clear, compelling writing for non-specialist readers.
• Working knowledge of global health, health systems strengthening, or international development contexts.

Additional strengths

• Experience managing web content or writing for social media is an advantage.
• Experience writing scripts or developing story treatments for multimedia projects is also an advantage.

Application requirements

Applicants must submit a resume, a cover letter, the names and contact details of three professional references who can verify work experience, and copies of all earned degrees. The cover letter and degree copies should be uploaded together as one PDF file under “Additional Files” on the application page.

Equal opportunity statement

UGHE is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Organizational profile

UGHE is a university created to train future global leaders in health care delivery. It began operations in Rwanda in September 2015 and is grounded in equity, aiming to equip students to reduce suffering at the bedside while also driving lasting change across health systems.

UGHE is an initiative of Partners In Health (PIH), a globally recognized nonprofit dedicated to advancing a preferential option for the poor in health care.

Members of the UGHE community are expected to act with determination and integrity, support social justice, stand alongside those in need, learn from others, and uphold humility, honesty, academic integrity, and intellectual curiosity.

Safeguarding and pre-employment checks

UGHE is committed to protecting everyone connected with its work, including community members, students, contractors, staff, and visitors, from sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and other forms of systemic abuse. The organization also aims to reduce related risks and vulnerabilities.

As part of its policy, a range of pre-employment checks will be conducted. UGHE may request information from previous employers about any findings or investigations involving fraud, harassment, sexual harassment, or other systemic abuse when an applicant left a previous role. By applying, candidates confirm that they understand and accept these recruitment procedures.