Executive Communications Lead

Reference number: 202666

Job status: In-progress

Job category: Local Position

Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya

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Landscape Alliance

Landscape Alliance transforms science into action, unlocking the power of trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes to
advance planetary health and human well-being. Landscape Alliance is the operating name of the Center for International
Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the International Centre for Research on Agroforestry (ICRAF). CIFOR and ICRAF are
independent International Organizations and CGIAR Research Centers.

Landscape Alliance is looking for a

Executive Communications Lead

Overview

The Executive Communications Lead provides high-level communications support to the CEO and senior leadership, helping ensure that the organization’s leadership communicates with clarity, consistency, authority and impact across internal and external audiences.
Reporting to the Director of Communications, the position serves as a strategic writer, researcher and communications adviser to senior leadership. The role develops executive communications across multiple formats; prepares leaders for major engagements and high-level convenings; and works closely with corporate, regional and program communications teams to ensure executive communications advance organizational priorities and reinforce a consistent institutional narrative.
The position requires exceptional writing and editorial skills, strong political and organizational judgement, intellectual curiosity, discretion, and the ability to translate complex scientific, policy and organizational issues into compelling communications for diverse audiences.

Duties and responsibilities

1.CEO and Senior
Leadership Communications

  • Provide strategic communications support to the CEO and other members of senior leadership.

oDraft and edit speeches, keynote addresses, talking points,
briefing notes, presentations, correspondence, statements and other executive
communications.

oDevelop concise executive briefs that synthesize complex issues,
organizational positions and relevant external developments.

oPrepare leaders for meetings, interviews, panels, conferences,
donor engagements and other high-level interactions.

oAdapt content to the communication style, voice and priorities of
individual executives while maintaining consistency with the organization’s
positioning.

oAnticipate communications needs and proactively identify
opportunities for leadership engagement.

2.Executive
Positioning and Thought Leadership

  • Support the positioning of the CEO and senior leadership as authoritative voices on issues central to the organization’s mission.

oIdentify opportunities for executive thought leadership linked to
organizational priorities and major global policy agendas.

oDevelop narratives, messages and evidence that strengthen
executive positioning.

oDraft or coordinate executive social media content, opinion
pieces, commentaries, forewords and other thought-leadership products.

oMonitor relevant global developments and identify issues on which
senior leadership should communicate or engage.

oWork with communications colleagues to connect executive
visibility with broader institutional campaigns and priorities.

3.Research and
Strategic Briefing

  • Provide high-quality research and analysis to underpin executive communications.

oConduct rapid research on policy, scientific, political, economic
and institutional issues relevant to leadership engagements.

oDistill complex information into clear, decision-useful briefs and
messages.

oVerify facts, statistics, quotations and references used in
executive communications.

oWork with technical experts across the organization to ensure
scientific accuracy while maintaining accessible and compelling language.

oMaintain relevant background materials, key messages,
organizational facts and evidence for executive use.

4.Major Events and
High-Level Convenings

  • Provide communications and substantive preparation for major international events, leadership meetings and strategic convenings.

oDevelop executive communications packages for major conferences,
summits, bilateral meetings, donor engagements and organizational events.

oPrepare speeches, talking points, session briefs, participant
profiles, anticipated questions and background materials.

oSupport development of the strategic narrative and leadership
objectives for priority events.

oCoordinate with events, media, digital and program teams before,
during and following major engagements.

oIdentify opportunities to extend the impact of executive
participation through media, digital communications and follow-up engagement.

5.Internal
Leadership Communications

  • Support clear and consistent communication between senior leadership and staff.

oDraft CEO and senior leadership messages to staff, including
organizational updates, strategic announcements and communications around
significant institutional developments.

oSupport preparation for staff meetings, town halls, leadership
forums and other internal engagements.

oHelp maintain consistency between internal and external leadership
messaging.

oAdvise on tone, sequencing and communication approaches for
sensitive or complex organizational issues.

6.Coordination
Across Communications

  • Ensure executive communications are integrated with the organization’s wider communications program.

oWork closely with corporate, regional, program and project
communications teams to identify priorities, evidence, stories and
opportunities for executive engagement.

oCoordinate with media, digital, events, publications and creative
teams to maximize the impact of leadership communications.

oEnsure executive messaging reflects organizational strategy,
positioning and brand.

oMaintain effective workflows for commissioning, reviewing and
approving executive communications.

oBuild strong working relationships with technical experts and
leadership offices across the organization.

7.Editorial
Quality and Executive Voice

  • Maintain exceptional editorial standards across all executive communications.

oEnsure communications are concise, compelling, accurate,
audience-appropriate and aligned with organizational priorities.

oMaintain a recognizable and authentic executive voice across
speeches, correspondence, presentations and digital channels.

oApply rigorous editorial quality control, including fact-checking,
consistency and appropriate use of evidence.

oTranslate technical and scientific language into accessible
narratives without compromising accuracy.

oDevelop and maintain executive messaging, style and voice guidance
where appropriate.

Requirements

  • Advanced degree in communications, journalism, international
    relations, public policy, environmental studies or another relevant discipline,
    or equivalent professional experience.

  • 5–10+ years of progressively responsible communications
    experience, including substantial experience supporting executives or senior
    leaders.

  • Exceptional English-language writing and editing skills, with
    demonstrated ability to write effectively for senior executives.

  • Proven experience producing speeches, talking points, executive
    briefs, presentations and high-level correspondence.

  • Experience working on international policy, development, science,
    environment or related issues strongly preferred.

Education, knowledge and experience

  • Advanced degree in communications, journalism, international relations, public policy, environmental studies or another relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
  • 5–10+ years of progressively responsible communications experience, including substantial experience supporting executives or senior leaders.
  • Exceptional English-language writing and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to write effectively for senior executives.
  • Proven experience producing speeches, talking points, executive briefs, presentations and high-level correspondence.
  • Experience working on international policy, development, science, environment or related issues strongly preferred.

Terms and conditions

  • This is a Locally Recruited Position (LRS). CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in local currency commensurate with skills and experience.
  • The initial appointment will be for one (1) year, with a three-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
  • The duty station will be in Nairobi, Kenya Landscape Alliance Offices.

Application process

The application deadline is 02 Nov 2026.

We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.