Strategic communication

Communications and knowledge management officer- Biosciences, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) – Deadline 17 March

By 13/03/2023

Communications and knowledge management officer – Biosciences, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Deadline: 17 March, 2023
Term:  3-year contract
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Other: Only open to Kenyan nationals

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Communications Officer to support corporate communications and information sharing activities for the program. The Biosciences communicationsofficer supports both the Feeds and Forages and Livestock Genetics programs as well as the Bioscience facilities and Bioscience 4 Africa hub and the ILRI Genebank.

ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org

Key Responsibilities

Bioscience Directorate Support

  • Strengthen internal program communications and deliver effective workflows, systems, and other support necessary for the program to achieve its goals to assist the Program Leaders and other members of the management team – this will include convening and supporting program-level learning and science events
  • Support to the DDG of Bioscience in delivering science, making powerpoint presentations and attending events.
  • Help facilitate internal meetings and sharing as well as maintain the Sharepoint systems
  • Maintain an inventory of program activities, events outputs and publications in various repositories

Program support to the Bioscience Program and leads

  • Identify a regular list of stories, multimedia products, infographics and videos and liase with CKM unit to get these produced
  • Identify media worthy stories and science and liase with CKM unit for writing and disseminating these
  • Write news stories for the program and manage content on the program’s page on the ILRI website
  • Develop and maintain relationships with program leaders and scientists in the programs
  • Lead the coordination of support to the ADGG,TGPS, B4A and Forage Genebank communications
  • Work with programs to support publishing of science and research products (briefs, research papers, journal articles, etc.) and coordinate these with ILRI Publishing unit
  • Input knowledge products from the programs into CGSpace and other multimedia platforms (FLICKR, Youtube, Sharepoint, etc)
  • Support and facilitate events for the programs as necessary
  • Promote communications through appropriate social media channels CKM and CGIAR
  • Participate in ILRI CKM planning and sharing meetings
  • Ensure compliance to ILRI communication guidelines and procedures
  • Coordinate all communication activities with relevant CGIAR Research Initiative Coordinators

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in journalism, advertising, communications or related subject area
  • Relevant professional Certification
  • Seven years of relevant experience
  • Experience in relationship building with diverse stakeholder groups
  • Experience in supporting communications and/or media relations in agricultural/environmental research for development is an added advantage.
  • Experience in marketing and advocacy will be an added advantage
  • Ability to think strategically and to develop and execute a strategic communication planning
  • Ability to read, understand and assimilate complex technical information to produce clear, well-written summaries.
  • Ability to present and package scientific information into various formats to suit specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Knowledge of and skills in desktop publishing, HTML, photography and photo editing.
    • Demonstrated ability to work independently and well within teams.
    • Fluent English language skills, both written and spoken.

How to apply: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Director, People and Organizational Development by clicking on the “Apply Now” tab above on or before 17 March 2023. The position title and reference number REF: CO/BS-906/2023 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

To find out more about ILRI visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org

For more information or to apply for this role, please visit the International Livestock Research Institute website.