Vacancy: Communications Specialist, East Africa

Deadline: 13 August, 2012. The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) is a collaborative endeavor between the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and the Earth System Science Partnership (ESSP), research communities, and their respective partners. CCAFS seeks to overcome the additional threats posed by a changing climate to achieving food security, enhancing livelihoods and improving environmental management in the developing world. The program is structured around four closely inter-linked global research themes: Adaptation to Progressive Climate Change; Adaptation through Managing Climate Risk; Pro-poor Climate Change Mitigation; and Integration for Decision Making. The global theme activities are implemented through regions. East Africa is one of the CCAFS implementing regions. The program leadership of this region is based at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi, and research activities are conducted in 4 countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) and at six bench mark locations in the region. The East Africa regional program is seeking a Communication Specialist.

Key Responsibilities

The Communication Specialist will contribute to developing and implementing a regional communication strategy, provide communications support to CCAFS research scientists, technical support staff, and a wide range partners. The Communication Specialist will work closely with the global CCAFS Communications and Knowledge Management unit and will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Develop a regional communication and knowledge management strategy for East Africa;
• Design and oversee production of program publications, including print, CD and web materials in the form of articles, reports, briefs (policy), multimedia products, posters, and information packets, and other program documentation;
• Oversee the design, management and content of the program website and provide web-friendly content to keep the site interesting and up to date;
• Work with the program team in sourcing blog stories about program activities, achievements, outputs and impacts  for the CCAFS website;
• Support CCAFS partners on generating appropriate communications materials to reflect the work and impact of the program;
• Work closely with the global CCAFS communications and knowledge management unit in developing and producing the various communication materials; managing public awareness events;  and preparing and maintaining program web pages on the internet and intranet amongst others;
• Edit, proof read and summarize program documents, and write articles about program work, as requested;
• Liaise with local printers and publications’ specialists (e.g., Graphics and Public Awareness staff) for producing, publishing, printing of program materials;

• Maintain a CCAFS East Africa program publications inventory and keep the publications archives and website pages up to date;
• Maintain a record of partnership communications and assist to prepare and organize outreach programs and activities;
• Perform any other tasks from time to time as may be assigned by the Regional Program Leader and Science Officer.

      Required skills and experience

• A bachelor’s degree in communications or related field of specialization;
• A master’s degree is an added advantage;
• A minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in science writing, editing, design, web design management, blogging, use of Web 2.0 and new media tools;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate effective with agricultural research and  development institutions at national, regional and international levels, including civil society organizations;
• Experience in supporting communications and media relations in the area of agricultural or environmental research for development is an added advantage;
• Ability to read, synthesize 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;
• Proficiency in Microsoft office packages;
• Basic knowledge of and skills in desktop publishing, HTML, photography and photo editing;
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work independently, and attention to detail;
• Fluent English language skills, both written and spoken.

Terms of appointment

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus with frequent travel to the field and is open to Kenyan nationals only. The position is on a 2-year fixed contract subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.Position Level: This position is job Grade 2D, with a starting gross salary of KES 143,917    per month. This is exclusive of other benefits provided by ILRI.

Applications

Applicants should send a cover letter and CV combined as one document explaining 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. Applications should be submitted online to the Human Resources Director at:  http://www.myjobsinkenya.com/ilri_jobs. Closing date for Applications is 13^th August 2012.

The position title and reference number REF: CS/CCAFS/07/12 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email applications.  Only applications sent via email to the indicated address will be considered, and only short listed candidates will be contacted.

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