Impact Engagement Officer

Position Summary

The Impact Engagement Officer role supports the Impact team in amplifying KAUST’s research, education, and societal contributions. The role focuses on documenting, organizing, and contributing to impact narratives and engagement materials that help identify and showcase the University’s real-world impact in accessible and culturally relevant ways.

Working under the guidance of senior team members, the role supports the identification of gaps and contributes to approaches aimed at strengthening KAUST’s impact within the Kingdom. The role also assists in promoting an impact-aware culture across KAUST by supporting engagement activities, training sessions, and internal communications that enable faculty and researchers to better articulate their influence and societal contributions.

This role focuses on engagement within the Kingdom and requires a strong understanding of the local context; Saudi nationals applicants are preferred.

Major Responsibilities

• Work with other teams across the institution, especially those from Strategic Initiatives, to ensure impact is designed into KAUST’s core activities.

• Support the team in identifying and addressing gaps across KAUST for institutional programs and support that undermine its impact agenda.

• Identify opportunities to strengthen the university’s national influence and reputation through strategic programs.

• Coordinate with internal stakeholders (faculty, researchers, centers, and departments) to gather inputs, data, and examples related to impact activities.

• Conduct research to identify relevant potential strategic partnerships across the Kingdom, especially from the public sector, that would enable KAUST to maximize and accelerate its impact.

• Monitor national trends in university and research funder impact strategies to adopt best practices and maintain KAUST’s competitive edge.

• Assist in organizing and supporting impact-related workshops, training sessions, and engagement activities.

• Contribute to training and coaching for faculty and researchers on how to craft their own compelling stories for different audiences in a culturally sensitive way.

• Assist in tailoring engagement approaches to effectively spread the impact mindset.

• Support the preparation of bilingual (Arabic/English) materials to showcase impact in accessible and culturally appropriate ways.

• Collaborate across the institution to develop engaging narratives that showcase impact created by KAUST’s activities and which contribute to its mission and strategic goals.

• Perform other applicable tasks and duties assigned within the realm of the employee’s knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of their position.

Personal Requirements

Competencies

• Ability to communicate in a compelling way to diverse audiences, bilingually in English and Arabic.

• Demonstrated familiarity with the Saudi ecosystem and Saudi society, with an interest in national initiatives, public sector engagement, or societal impact within the Kingdom.

• Awareness of the Saudi ecosystem, especially amongst government and innovation hubs, but also across Saudi communities and public opinions.

• Creativity in data presentation, communication and engagement methods, with flexibility to adapt approaches for different audiences and platforms, and in culturally relevant ways within Saudi Arabia.

• Ability to manage work independently as well as collaboratively with colleagues.

• Ability to work empathetically and quickly establish trust.

• Ability to manage pressure and deadlines in a fast-changing environment with positivity.

• Ability to work within specified timeframes and manage own workload.

• Approachable, engaging communication style, with the ability to build rapport and connect effectively with diverse stakeholders.

• Fluent in English and Arabic.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. social sciences, public policy, communications, economics, sociology, anthropology, or related disciplines). A Master’s degree is preferred.

Experience

• 2–3 years of relevant experience in impact-related work, communications, stakeholder engagement, research support, policy, or similar fields, preferably within Saudi Arabia.

• Exposure to working with academic, research, public sector, or non-profit organizations is an advantage.

• Experience in contributing to content, events, workshops, or engagement activities. A portfolio or examples of previous work is desirable