IRRI-Africa Business Innovation & Communications Strategist (Officer III)

The focus of the role is to build strong recognition of the work of IRRI in Africa and the need to invest in IRRI and its rice systems to contribute to overcoming poverty and inequality, food and nutrition insecurity, and environmental issues. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to identify and bring attention to the scientific advancements and the impacts on the ground that IRRI achieves, as well as the critical issues relevant to IRRI’s work. This requires excellent writing skills, being able to capture scientific achievements in easy-to-understand and compelling language, and being able to write about impacts on the ground in an engaging and compelling way.

The successful candidate will be able to identify the key issues and solutions and pitch the value of investing in IRRI-Africa. Also important is the ability to reach key stakeholders – including donors, research collaborators, and governments - with these stories, messages, and pitches, through the media and other means.

This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, and may only be filled by permanent citizens of Kenya.

• Ensure IRRI’s audiences in Africa are appropriately engaged by managing and developing a communication and messaging portfolio in coordination with the global communications team and the Africa Director.
• Develop communications material for resource mobilization, including investment pitches and stories that support the pitches.
• Contribute to and accelerate making a significant increase in funding for IRRI-AFRICA. For example, be a key contributor to prospects (funders and/or proposals) developed, working with relevant research teams and Directors.
• Contribute to broadening the base of IRRI funders for IRRI-AFRICA.
• Under the overall direction of the global Communications Head, work hand in hand for the workplan priorities, strategies, and implementation with the Deputy Director General of Strategy Engagement and Impact and the Regional Director.
• Work collaboratively with the Country Representatives and all regional staff to ensure that communication for resource mobilization needs are addressed
• Secure linkages and collaborate with regional project partners, other CGIAR centers, donors, communication subgroups, and the media to ensure timely delivery of outputs, information dissemination and technology
• Active and responsive communications and messaging portfolio for IRRI-AFRICA
• Targeted stories and case studies capturing IRRI's scientific advancements and impacts in Africa for resource mobilization use and for corporate communications (in newsletters, websites, social media, media, and the annual report, etc.).
• Set of IRRI solutions for Africa prepared for pitching to funders.
• Funder intelligence collated for Africa, in collaboration with PDMO, the Director for IRRI-AFRICA, Country representatives, SEI DDG, and others as required.
• Regular donor connections and follow-ups, and relationships were built.
• Coordination with scientific teams for funder requests.
• Dashboard to track efforts and targets.
• Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisor.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Development, Communications, Journalism, or related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience. Qualifications in agriculture are highly regarded.

Mandatory

• Experience in developing communication products and in packaging them so they are applicable to different audiences and channels, especially for resource mobilization.
• Experience in resource mobilization and engaging with funders.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence others.
• Knowledge of the African media landscape is highly regarded.
• Knowledge and experience in agriculture.

How to apply: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the role 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 Director, People and Organizational Development through our portal ilri.simplicant.com on or before 10 April 2024. The position title and reference number REF: IRRI/ 12/2023 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.