Head, Communications and Knowledge Management at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Responsibilities

The head of ILRI Communications and Knowledge Management will work directly with ILRI’s teams covering (1) Information, Publishing and Curation; (2) Knowledge, Engagement and Collaboration; and (3) Communications, Awareness and Advocacy as well as working closely with other communications colleagues within ILRI, CGIAR and our donors and partners; and with ILRI directors, managers, scientists and other program staff and consultants. Working closely with three team leaders, this person will:

• Help raise the level of ILRI and partner livestock-research-for-development information, knowledge and communications.
• Work across a range of mediums and topics to turn out compelling communications materials that help translate ILRI’s research into real-world impacts.
• Skillfully coordinate efforts to inform, educate and publicize ILRI’s work in collaboration with scientists and communications colleagues across the centre.
• Be an expert in science or technical communications, with broad experience and familiarity with emerging social media tools and trends.
• Be exceptionally experienced in creating systems that enable every CKM activity and product to add value to others.
• Take pleasure in designing communications products for greatest and cost-efficient impacts
• Demonstrate an ability to frame complex research findings so that these are understandable and useful to a wide range of audiences.

The ideal candidate will be:

• Someone who enjoys reading research publications and engaging with scientists

• An astute judge of what communications best suit what audiences and purposes

• Equal parts communicator, knowledge manager and people manager

• Scrupulous about maintaining high standards of accuracy

• Passionate about finding fresh ways to communicate

• Inspired by the ideas of others and an inspiring team member for others

• Someone who thinks across multimedia platforms and experiments with new media

• Self-directed and resourceful

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a relevant subject area.
• At least 10 years’ experience in research or science communication, information/knowledge management, public awareness or publishing, ideally in an international development context.
• Experienced manager with strong skills in budgeting and financial management, engaging with communications ‘clients’ and partners, and delivering products and services in busy and time-pressed environments.
• Demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of communications and knowledge management strategies.
• Experience in leading communications and knowledge management initiatives at an organisational level and engaging with multidisciplinary teams across diverse locations and in a multicultural environment.

Post location: The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Position level: The position level is 5B.

Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and continued funding.

Benefits: ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes 15% Pension, Medical insurance, Life insurance and allowances for: Education, Housing, Relocation, Home leave, Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days + public holidays.