Ref No: DDG-R4D/CO/05/22)

Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Communications Officer.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.

IITA is looking for a talented, creative, and dynamic Communications Officer who will play a crucial role in disseminating knowledge products to key audiences and crafting stories and content that informs and influences stakeholders.

Position Responsibilities

The Communications Officer will perform the following duties, among others:

Establishing Communications Function

• Developing the Communications Function for the program inclusive of Communication Strategy, Communications Team, and a panel of service providers.
• Ensure coordination and alignment with One CGIAR communications strategy.

Support for fundraising, resource mobilization, and proposal development

• Develop funding proposals that include communication activities as part of the primary objectives of the initiative and knowledge development.
• Develop materials that support fundraising activities of the region.
• Ensure that proposals are aligned with the global brand and look professional.

Communication advice and support

• Give solicited and unsolicited advice to initiative staff on how to generate awareness and publicity for their Programmes.
• Support initiative staff in developing communication materials.
• Actively involved in planning, monitoring, and executing communication activities as part of the initiative.
• Maintain a network of trusted external suppliers for more elaborate or specific communication tasks.

Website and social media

• Websites related to the program under your management are kept current, relevant, and up to date and in consultation with One CGIAR guidelines. (Please note: for websites with news items, this means a minimum of one news item per month).
• Regular (minimum of four per year) and timely contribution of news items from the initiative.
• Any social media channels under your management (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter) are kept current, relevant, and up to date.
• Initiative videos should be shared with proper tagging and descriptions for inclusion in the One CGIAR YouTube channels.

Public relations and free publicity

• Monitor Global and Regional media in program operating areas and actively reach out to appropriate media to profile the same.
• Develop press releases and media events for key initiative milestones.

Branding

• Ensure the program is fully compliant with One CGIAR branding guidelines.
• Protect and promote the correct use of the program brand in all internal and external communication.
• Educate Use Case teams on the proper use of the program branding guidelines.
• Ensure that staff is aware of the communication and branding toolbox/page on the intranet.

Internal communication

• Promote the use of Google photos internally and maintain the initiative selection of highquality photos.
• Promote the use of SharePoint or Google Drive for sharing and knowledge management purposes.
• Actively participate and engage in the global One CGIAR communications team.
• Perform any other job-related duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Educational Qualifications

The candidate should have a master’s degree in International Communications, Journalism, or a relevant/related field with five years of work experience in Communications and/or Marketing, in a complex and international setting.

Core Competencies

• Excellent writing skills and ability to convey complex data ideas and messages in a clear and easy-to-understand manner.
• Critical thinker able to analyze complex information and propose solutions.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative, and decentralized environment. Self-motivated and eager to learn.
• Solid knowledge of Microsoft Office with advanced PowerPoint and presentation skills.
• Excellent oral communication skills in English.
• Strong interest in science and agricultural development issues with the ability to grasp new material quickly.
• Ability to work well under pressure and with short deadlines.
• Commitment to IITA’s mission and core values.

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya.

General information: The contract will be for an initial period of two years. IITA offers an internationally competitive remuneration package paid in US Dollars.

Applications:

Applications must include a cover letter, which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, a communications portfolio indicating some of your work (campaigns, materials), names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the Head of Human Resources. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/careers

Closing Date: 8 th June 2022

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse workforce, particularly welcoming applications from women.

While all applications will be acknowledged, please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted