Communications Officer I at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Communications Officer I to develop communications materials and organize communications and knowledge sharing activities of research, outputs and outcomes of the Sustainable Livestock Systems program.

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

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish effective systems and processes to support the program and scientists in promoting and contributing to the impact of the SLS program, ensuring consistency of messages and alignment to the program objectives.
• Develop, implement and monitor the program communications strategy, including annual action plans targeting key audiences and outputs.
• Manage the production of a stream of public materials generated by the research programs, including regular news and feature blog articles and more occasional research reports, policy briefs, brochures, science posters and multimedia products
• Populate program-specific blog sites with content, engaging with the readers of these blogs and with responders to social media content generated by the programs
• Help disseminate the programs’ messages and materials through ILRI’s publishing, knowledge sharing and social media channels as well as more widely as needed
• Update SLS content on relevant pages of ILRI’s main website and other relevant web portals
• Keep track of the online footprint and media mentions of SLS and the ILRI focal points serving the CGIAR research programs on climate change, livestock and policies, working to amplify these where appropriate
• Develop program-related materials, such as summaries of research projects, updates of research progress, staff profiles, feature articles and success stories
• Help the programs’ researchers/team leaders work with media e.g. organize journalist interviews and staff profiles, and disseminate key messages
• Ensure that research publications and other outputs are deposited and indexed in ILRI’s repository and contribute information as needed for ILRI’s online calendar of events and contacts systems
• Identify, track and report on a set of performance indicators for communications work in the research program
• Contribute to the ILRI-wide communications and KM community of practice, participate in CKM learning, reviewing and planning activities and ensure that these activities follow ILRI standards and agreed channels

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, advertising or related field.
• Master’s degree communications or related field will be added advantage;
• At least 5 years of progressively advanced experience in relevant communications work with focus on writing, editing, proofreading and design of materials for print and web;
• Experience and expertise in: Graphic arts computer programs. Database management. Managing media relations. Publishing software.
• Excellent technical/ scientific writing and editing skills.
• Experience with international or development oriented organizations.
• Expertise in using social media for high impact.
• Outstanding written, and excellent verbal, English;
• Skilled in mainstream computer programs, especially Microsoft Office applications;
• Sharp analytical, organizational and documentation skills;
• Keen attention to detail;
• Ability to work well both independently and within teams;
• Flexible, willing to grow professionally, learn new skills;
• Can meet tight deadlines without compromising quality.

Terms of Appointment

This position is at job level HG 13 and it is only open to Kenyan nationals. The position is a 3-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes; pension, medical and other insurances