Communications Specialist PHI CIMMYT at Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)

• 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.

• Requirements 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.

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.