LATAM Communications Specialist

CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.

For more information, visit cimmyt.org.

CIMMYT is looking for an outstanding, self-motivated, and result-oriented professional for the position of LATAM Communications Specialist, to work in the Engagement Chapter. The Communications Specialist is a key member of the CIMMYT LATAM Communications Team, responsible for developing, editing, and producing strategic content that communicates the activities, results, and impact of CIMMYT’s project portfolio in Latin America.

The role ensures that scientific innovations, field activities, project achievements, and institutional messages are translated into compelling narratives, digital content, and communication products aligned with CIMMYT’s 2030 Strategy, the Engagement Strategy 2027, and the strategic communication priorities defined by the LATAM Communications Management.

This position interacts continuously with the seven communication areas of the regional system (Strategy, Creative Hub, Media Relations, Digital, Internal, Executive, and Regional Communications) and with project communication teams across LATAM to ensure alignment, coherence, and joint execution of communication activities.

The role also contributes to advocacy, donor engagement, partner visibility, and the positioning of CIMMYT as a leading scientific institution in sustainable agrifood systems.

This is an on-site opportunity based in CIMMYT-HQ in Texcoco State of Mexico, near Mexico City.

Specific duties: 

Strategy

• The Communications Specialist collaborates directly with the Strategy Area and Comms LATAM Management to:

• Co-design and execute communication plans and strategies for LATAM projects, ensuring alignment with CIMMYT/CGIAR goals and donor requirements.
• Develop advocacy-oriented content to influence policy, strengthen partner engagement, and showcase impact at regional level.
• Support the development of the annual editorial calendar, aligning sectoral milestones, agricultural seasons, and project cycles.
• Participate in strategic planning sessions for portfolio-wide communication.
• Track KPIs, visibility indicators and project communication deliverables.
• Identify communication opportunities and mitigate risks across regional contexts.

Creative Hub

• In coordination with the Creative Hub, the specialist:
• Produces high-quality editorial, digital, audiovisual and multimedia content.
• Prepares and edits project deliverables, articles, press releases, stories, infographics, brochures, and other communication resources.
• Ensures scientific and technical information is translated into clear, accurate, and compelling materials.
• Applies CIMMYT’s brand guidelines and editorial standards across Spanish-language outputs.
• Supports the edition, design, and production of books, guides, technical briefs, and knowledge products on agricultural practices and innovations.
• Oversees orthotypography and editorial review of materials.

Media Relations

• The specialist contributes to Media Relations by:
• Producing media-ready content derived from project activities.
• Supporting the preparation of press materials, advisories and spokesperson briefings.
• Documenting field activities and interviews that can be leveraged for media outreach.
• Providing narrative inputs for regional media campaigns.

Social & Digital Communications

• The specialist works closely with the Digital Communications area to:
• Coordinate and manage content for CIMMYT LATAM’s social media channels and Spanish-language website.
• Provide guidance on messaging, tone, visual standards, and digital storytelling.
• Develop content strategies that increase visibility of project outcomes and innovations.
• Produce digital campaigns for both CIMMYT and individual projects.
• Support SEO, SEM, analytics, and performance monitoring.
• Ensure that digital content aligns with scientific accuracy and institutional priorities.

Internal Communications

• In coordination with the Internal Communications team, the specialist:
• Contributes content related to LATAM project activities to strengthen staff awareness and engagement.
• Supports internal newsletters and updates that highlight regional achievements.
• Coordinates communication support for HR-related initiatives when required.

Executive Communications

• The specialist supports Executive Communications by:
• Preparing talking points, presentations, briefs and messages for senior leadership related to LATAM projects and events.
• Providing content for executive missions, field visits, and high-level engagements.
• Documenting visits of institutional leadership to hubs and project sites.

Regional Communications

• The Communications Specialist plays a central role in regional communication coordination by:
• Working with communication staff in projects, hubs, and country offices to align narratives, coordinate joint activities, and ensure consistency.
• Field visits to CIMMYT hubs in Mexico and other LATAM locations to document activities, interview beneficiaries, and gather materials for stories, videos and reports.
• Supporting the adaptation of communication products to local cultural and agricultural contexts.
• Facilitating collaboration across regions within the CGIAR system.

Additional Core Responsibilities

• Content Development & Editorial Production.
• Conduct interviews with farmers, technicians, scientists, partners, and beneficiaries.
• Write, edit, and review Spanish-language content with high editorial and orthotypographic quality.
• Produce success stories, case studies, knowledge notes, reports and communication assets for donors and partners.
• Translate complex scientific and agricultural concepts into accessible content.
• Campaigns & Strategic Communication
• Design and execute communication campaigns for CIMMYT and LATAM projects (visibility, advocacy, dissemination, donor recognition).
• Support the planning and rollout of multi-format campaigns (digital, audiovisual, print, events).
• Ensure campaigns reflect institutional narratives and strategic priorities.
• Documentation & Field Storytelling
• Capture photography, video, interviews, and documentation during missions to hubs and project sites.
• Coordinate audiovisual production with Creative Hub or external vendors.
• Ensure ethical storytelling, data accuracy, and representation standards.

• Degree in Communications, Marketing, Advertising, Journalism, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in communications, content development, strategic communications, or related roles.
• Ability to analyze complex data and elaborate, interpret, and clearly explain technical or scientific information.
• Strong communication skills and stakeholder management abilities, with experience coordinating across projects, teams, and external partners.
• Demonstrated experience in writing, editing, and developing editorial, digital, and multimedia content.
• Proven capacity to carry out audiovisual documentation with a journalistic approach, including field-based coverage of activities, interviews, and events.
• Ability to use digital tools and platforms for the creation of engaging and effective audiovisual content (video, photography, editing, and digital storytelling).
• Availability and willingness to travel for fieldwork to project sites, hubs, and partner locations.
• Ability to read, write, and respond appropriately to correspondence in English, both orally and in writing.
• Advanced proficiency in standard software and digital communication tools (content management systems, mailing platforms, analytics tools, etc.).
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment, managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Creative Thinking, Teamwork, Client Orientation, Problem-solving and Decision Making, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution.

CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package and support for continuous professional development. In addition to the provisions of the Mexican Labor Law our package of benefits includes year-end bonus (40 days), vacation premium (56%), life and medical insurance, supermarket coupons, savings fund, social Mexican benefits (IMSS, SAR / Infonavit).

Candidates mustapply online for M25317_LATAM Communications Specialist.

Applications must include a CV in English with contact details (telephone and email address) of 3 work-related references along with the confirmation that Recruitment can contact them) and a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

This position will remain open until filled.

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.