Job Description

Ref. no.: CYI_HSCPAE_26_17

Deadline for applications: 30 September 2026

Application process open*

 

About The Cyprus Institute

The Cyprus Institute is a European, non-profit, science- and technology-oriented educational and research institution, governed by an internationally acclaimed Board.

Its research is organised across five Research Centres:

•                    Computation-based Science and Technology Research Centre (CaSToRC)

•                    Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Centre (STARC)

•                    Energy Environment Water Research Centre (EEWRC)

•                    Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre (CARE-C)

•                    Science and Technology Driven Policy and Innovation Research Centre (STeDI-RC)

 

A defining feature of CyI is its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration across Centres, enabling impactful research addressing complex societal challenges.

 

As part of its continued institutional development and strengthening of its international positioning, CyI is establishing a Science Communication, Public Affairs and Engagement Office to strengthen the Institute's visibility, reputation, stakeholder engagement and external relations, while enhancing public understanding of the Institute's research, educational and innovation activities at national, European and international levels.

 

The Position

The Cyprus Institute seeks to appoint a Head of Science Communication, Public Affairs and Engagement to lead the Institute’s strategy for institutional visibility, stakeholder engagement, external relations and public communication, ensuring that the Institute's scientific mission, research achievements, societal impact and regional role are effectively communicated to diverse audiences in Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region, Europe and internationally.

 

The selected candidate will lead an Office embedded within the Administration and Finance Division, reflecting the Institute’s integrated approach to governance and institutional development. At operational level the Head of the Office will have direct engagement with the President and senior leadership to support strategic priorities and external positioning.

 

The successful candidate will be expected to build and lead a high-performing function responsible for advancing the Institute's science communication, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, institutional visibility and external relations objectives. The role includes the development and implementation of a comprehensive science communication, engagement and communications strategy that strengthens the visibility and reputation of The Cyprus Institute, enhances public understanding of its research and innovation activities, and supports meaningful engagement with policymakers, partners, funders, media and society at large.

 

The role requires an understanding of science and research environments, combined with proven experience in communication, outreach, media relations, public engagement, and institutional representation. Experience in public affairs, external relations, stakeholder engagement, institutional communications, public engagement, media relations, policy outreach or related functions is required. Experience communicating complex scientific, technical or research-related topics to diverse audiences will be considered an advantage.

 

Key Responsibilities

The Head of Science Communication, Public Affairs and Engagement will:

·       Provide strategic advice to the President and senior leadership on external engagement, messaging, and institutional positioning.

·       Lead the Institute's science communication efforts by translating complex scientific, technical and research outputs into clear, accessible and compelling content for policymakers, stakeholders, media, schools and the wider public.

·       Develop and implement the Institute's public affairs, engagement and institutional visibility strategy.

·       Shape and oversee CyI’s institutional narrative, public profile, and key communication platforms, ensuring coherence across all external engagement channels.

·       Build strong relationships with journalists, media organizations, schools, universities, public authorities, embassies, international organizations, and civil society groups.

·       Coordinate press releases, articles, interviews, public statements, speeches, newsletters, digital content, and institutional communication material.

·       Lead the planning and delivery of public lectures, outreach events, science festivals, school engagement activities, stakeholder briefings, and public dialogue initiatives.

·       Lead and oversee the Institute’s events and institutional engagement function, ensuring that all events are strategically designed and delivered as instruments of institutional positioning, stakeholder engagement, and external visibility.

·       Establish a coherent framework for institutional events and outreach activities, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and consistency in messaging and impact

·       Build and maintain strategic partnerships and networks that enhance CyI’s role and influence at national and international level.

·       Establish and monitor performance indicators related to institutional visibility, engagement effectiveness, and reputational impact.

·       Ensure strategic alignment of communication and outreach activities across the Institute, providing direction and oversight to guarantee consistency, coherence, and impact.

·       Ensure consistency, accuracy and quality across all public-facing institutional communications and engagement activities.

 

 

Profile and Qualifications

Candidates should demonstrate:

·       A proven track record in public affairs, external relations, stakeholder engagement, institutional positioning, strategic engagement, communications or related functions.

·       Experience operating at a senior level, advising leadership on strategy and external engagement.

·       Experience in science communication or in communicating complex scientific, technical, research or innovation-related topics to diverse audiences is considered an advantage.

·       A solid understanding of policy environments, international collaboration, and institutional dynamics, ideally within research, academia, public sector, or international organizations.

·       Proven ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives with measurable impact.

·       Excellent interpersonal, communication, analytical, and judgement skills.

·       Bachelor’s degree.

·       Master’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Media or any related field or Master’s degree at any field with 2 years of relevant experience. (over and above of the below mentioned experience required)

·       Demonstrated relevant experience of 7 years and medium level coordinating/management experience of at least 3 years (for the rank of manager).

·       Demonstrated relevant experience of 5 years (for the rank of coordinator)

·       Excellent knowledge of the English and Greek languages both verbally and in writing

 

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

·       Strategic thinking and strong institutional judgement

·       High credibility and ability to engage with senior stakeholders

·       A results-oriented mindset, with focus on impact rather than activity

·       Ability to operate effectively in a complex, multidisciplinary environment

·       Leadership capability to establish and develop a high-performing function

 

Terms of Appointment

The rank of the position (Coordinator or Manager) will depend on selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. The position is offered on a full-time basis. The initial contract will be for a fixed term, with the possibility of renewal or conversion to an indefinite contract subject to institutional needs and performance.

 

Salary Band:

For Coordinator rank: CYI5(1) – CYI6(12) – Starting salary CYI5.1 (€42485.82)

For Manager rank: CYI7(1-8) – Starting salary CYI7.1 (€55738.15)

 

Benefits:

Among other benefits, the Cyprus Institute offers a flexible working scheme, additional paid leave for supporting staff work-life balance, provident fund membership and group medical and life insurance membership.

 

Application Process

Applications can be submitted through The Cyprus Institute Exelsys Platform (https://bit.ly/3HDLRTw),  by following the instructions provided. Applicants should submit:

1.      A curriculum vitae, including a short letter of interest

2.      A cover letter outlining your vision for the role and the contribution to CyI

3.      List of three (3) referees (including contact information)

 

All documentation should be in English and in PDF format.

 

For further information, please contact Marianna Taliadorou (recruitment@cyi.ac.cy). Please note that applications which do not fulfill the required qualifications and do not follow the announcement’s guidelines will not be considered.

 

*Recruitment will continue until the application process is marked as closed.

The Cyprus Institute is an Equal Opportunities Employer, certified from the Cypriot Ministry of Labor, and also an HRS4R accredited Institution adhering to the European Commission’s “Charter & Code”, principles for recruitment and selection.

 

Reference number: CYI_HSCPAE_26_17

 

 

 

How to Apply

Interested candidates are kindly requested to send their CV to the HR Manager at hr.staffingsupport@cyi.ac.cy.

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About Company

The Cyprus Institute (CyI)

The Cyprus Institute (CyI) is a European non-profit science and technology institution based in Cyprus and led by an acclaimed Board of Trustees. The research aims of the CyI are represented by three research centers: the Computation-based Science and Technology Research Center (CASTORC), the Science and Technology in Archaeology Research Center (STARC), and the Energy Environment Water Research Center (EEWRC).