Communications Specialist

ILRI seeks to recruit a Communications Specialist to develop and implement an outcome-driven communications strategy to increase awareness and visibility of ReSAKSS research activities, outputs, and outcomes.

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and Southern Africa and South, Southeast and East Asia.www.ilri.org.

CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. www.cgiar.org.

Responsibilities:

• Write, edit, compile, format and oversee production of ReSAKSS-ECA publications including articles, reports, policy briefs, brochures, multimedia products and posters;
• Support and facilitate dissemination activities in consultation with the research team using various communication tools;
• Work with the Communications Specialist at IFPRI, to update the content of the ReSAKSS website and other web portals that ReSAKSS-ECA is running;
• Create media messages in consultation with researchers/team leader and support  innovative use of these communication products;
• Facilitate capacity-building for scientists/researchers to produce and communicate good quality publications aimed at various audiences, through text editing, proofreading, and communication seminars;
• Maintain an inventory of ReSAKSS publications, a calendar of ReSAKSS events, and communication mailing lists;
• Identify and track a set of communication performance indicators and ensure their incorporation in periodic reporting;
• Keep track of the online footprint and media mentions of ReSAKSS-ECA;
• Prepare success stories and submissions for various publications;
• Review and document lessons learned from successful and unsuccessful communication experiences and share observations/findings  with team members; and
• Perform any other related duties as assigned by the team leader from time to time.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in agricultural/environmental sciences, development studies, or journalism.
• At least three years proven experience of working effectively in supporting communications and/or media relations in agricultural and policy research for development.
• Excellent skills in written and verbal English;
• Excellent computer skills including familiarity with Microsoft Office applications;
• Good analytical and organizational skills;
• Keen attention to detail;
• Adaptable and willing to learn new skills; and
• Ability to work with tight deadlines without compromising quality of outputs

Terms of appointment:
This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) positions based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus and is for a two year contract period; renewable subject to availability of funds and individual performance. Salary and benefits will be in line with those provided by ILRI.

Job level and salary:
This position is job level 2D with a starting salary of KES 143,917 per month. This is exclusive of other benefits provided within ILRI’s National Recruited Staff Scheme.

How to apply:
Applicants should send a cover letter and CV combined together 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 to the Human Resources Director through: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ before 20 December 2013. The position title and reference number REF: CS/PTVC/12/13 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.
To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org
To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org/ilricrowd/
ILRI is an equal opportunity employer
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