Overview

The Communications Specialist will actively communicate about key CIMMYT projects in Africa on a regular basis.

Duties and responsibilities

• Develop and execute the communications strategy for CGIAR Plant Health Initiative under the including identifying audiences and opportunities for engagement, in partnership with Initiative leadership.
• Ensure coordination and alignment with CGIAR’s broader communications strategy around the Portfolio of Initiatives.
• Work with other Initiative-level communicators, Communications & Outreach (C&O) Initiative working group lead, Center Communications Leads to ensure flow of information between Initiatives, as well as with the C&O Global Group.
• Engage with C&O working groups as appropriate to ensure coordinated engagement (e.g., knowledge management, event participation, stakeholder engagement).
• Work with Initiative team to develop clear messages and means of communicating research, particularly to non-research audiences.
• Advise Initiative team on how to generate awareness and publicity for the work.
• Actively engage in planning, monitoring, and executing communication activities as part of the Initiative.
• Develop or oversee the development of strategic communications content, including blogs, interactives, infographics, videos, social media.
• Monitor global and regional media for Initiative-related opportunities and actively engage with relevant reporters on Initiative work via press releases, relationship building, etc., as appropriate.
• Organize internal or external support for more elaborate or specialized communication tasks, events, publications, or other outputs (e.g., event planning and logistical support, editing, graphic design, media engagement).
• Support development of Initiative microsite on cgiar.org
• Keep websites related to the Initiative current, relevant, and up to date and in consultation with CGIAR guidelines.
• Maintain Initiative social media presence (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter) and ensure Initiative videos are properly tagged, described, and posted to CGIAR YouTube channels.
• Ensure the Initiative is fully compliant with CGIAR Initiative branding and funder acknowledgement guidelines.
• Protect and promote the correct use of the Initiative brand in all internal and external communication.
• Ensure Initiative staff is aware of the communication and branding/funder acknowledgement guidelines and has appropriate resources to comply.
• Manage Initiative-level knowledge management needs, including photo databases and curation of papers and publications to CGIAR databases and repositories.
• Actively participate and engage in the global CGIAR C&O team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, or other relevant field and/or a minimum five years’ experience in communications
• Excellent writing and critical thinking skills and ability to convey complex data ideas and messages in a clear and easy-to-understand manner.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.