Description

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. CIMMYT is a core CGIAR Research Center, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

CIMMYT is looking for a Communications Specialist – Africa to strengthen the visibility of its research programs and projects through strategic communications, content development, digital campaigns, and media engagement. The position will develop high-quality communication materials, support regional events and campaigns, and highlight CIMMYT’s scientific achievements and impact, working closely with Program Directors, the Africa Communications Manager, and key stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with organizational priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communication & Content Development

• Improve the visibility of CIMMYT and the programs and projects supported, strengthening donor engagement through high-quality communication materials.
• Develop, edit, and disseminate communication materials across multiple platforms, including website content, blogs, and feature stories.
• Develop social media content and digital campaigns.
• Ensure consistency in messaging, tone, and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Demonstrate excellent writing and editing skills, creating clear, engaging, and impactful content across multiple formats.

Organizational Knowledge and Field Engagement

• Collaborate with designers and multimedia specialists to ensure cohesive and high-quality communication outputs.
• Develop a strong understanding of CIMMYT’s thematic areas, including climate action and agrifood systems transformation; genetic innovations and seed systems; sustainable intensification and agronomic innovations; and digital agriculture.
• Highlight key scientific achievements, policy interventions, and success stories across different thematic areas.

Campaigns and Events

• Support the planning and execution of flagship campaigns and national and state-level events.
• Prepare communication materials, including briefing notes, presentations, and talking points.
• Manage the Country Office events calendar.

Media and Public Relations

• Build and maintain professional relationships with regional media outlets, journalists, and influencers.
• Support media outreach activities to enhance organizational visibility.
• Document field activities and conduct interviews to generate content for media outreach.
• Provide narrative inputs for regional media campaigns.
• Support the preparation of press materials, media advisories, and spokesperson briefings.

Executive Communication Support

• Support executive communications by preparing country-specific talking points, presentations, briefs, and messages related to projects and events.
• Document visits by institutional leadership to hubs and project sites.
• Provide updated information and data on CIMMYT's impact across the region.
• Support the development of internal communication products, including newsletters and annual reports.

Administration

• Manage workflows and planning for content, events, and partner communications, ensuring timely delivery within budget.
• Oversee a roster of cost-effective, high-quality freelance editors, translators, designers, web programmers, and other specialists.
• Model and uphold CIMMYT values, contributing to a positive and mission-aligned culture within the Communications Department.
• Ensure adherence to CIMMYT brand guidelines across the Country Office and all communication outputs.
• Support the development and use of standardized templates and visual assets.
• Maintain a consistent and professional organizational identity across all platforms.

Other Responsibilities

• Identify and mitigate potential risks within the area of responsibility.
• Take reasonable care of own occupational health and safety, as well as that of others, in accordance with applicable CIMMYT Occupational Health and Safety policies and relevant country legislation.
• Participate in other team projects and activities as required.

Requirements

Education and Work Experience

• Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, International Development, or a related field (a Bachelor’s degree with significant additional relevant experience may be considered).
• At least 4 years of experience in strategic communications, preferably within international development, research-for-development, or donor-funded programmes.

Required Skills And Experience

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. French and/or Arabic is an added advantage.
• Experience working with international organizations, particularly in agricultural development.
• Demonstrated ability to develop communication materials for diverse audiences.
• Ability to adapt and package content for print, digital, and multimedia channels.
• Proficiency in social media platforms and digital communication tools.
• Strong skills in planning and coordinating events.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

Desirable Skills

• Experience producing and editing video content.

Benefits

This is a Locally Recruited Staff (LRS) position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience and qualifications. In Kenya, employment contracts are issued under ICRAF in compliance with Kenyan labour law. Locally recruited staff are eligible for a non-contributory pension scheme, comprehensive medical insurance, paid annual and statutory leave, and learning and development opportunities in line with CIFOR-ICRAF policies.

The appointment will be for a period of two (2) years, inclusive of a six-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.

• Improve the visibility of CIMMYT and the programs and projects supported, strengthening donor engagement through high-quality communication materials.
• Develop, edit, and disseminate communication materials across multiple platforms, including website content, blogs, and feature stories.
• Develop social media content and digital campaigns.
• Ensure consistency in messaging, tone, and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Demonstrate excellent writing and editing skills, creating clear, engaging, and impactful content across multiple formats.
• Collaborate with designers and multimedia specialists to ensure cohesive and high-quality communication outputs.
• Develop a strong understanding of CIMMYT’s thematic areas, including climate action and agrifood systems transformation; genetic innovations and seed systems; sustainable intensification and agronomic innovations; and digital agriculture.
• Highlight key scientific achievements, policy interventions, and success stories across different thematic areas.
• Support the planning and execution of flagship campaigns and national and state-level events.
• Prepare communication materials, including briefing notes, presentations, and talking points.
• Manage the Country Office events calendar.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with regional media outlets, journalists, and influencers.
• Support media outreach activities to enhance organizational visibility.
• Document field activities and conduct interviews to generate content for media outreach.
• Provide narrative inputs for regional media campaigns.
• Support the preparation of press materials, media advisories, and spokesperson briefings.
• Support executive communications by preparing country-specific talking points, presentations, briefs, and messages related to projects and events.
• Document visits by institutional leadership to hubs and project sites.
• Provide updated information and data on CIMMYT's impact across the region.
• Support the development of internal communication products, including newsletters and annual reports.
• Manage workflows and planning for content, events, and partner communications, ensuring timely delivery within budget.
• Oversee a roster of cost-effective, high-quality freelance editors, translators, designers, web programmers, and other specialists.
• Model and uphold CIMMYT values, contributing to a positive and mission-aligned culture within the Communications Department.
• Ensure adherence to CIMMYT brand guidelines across the Country Office and all communication outputs.
• Support the development and use of standardized templates and visual assets.
• Maintain a consistent and professional organizational identity across all platforms.
• Identify and mitigate potential risks within the area of responsibility.
• Take reasonable care of own occupational health and safety, as well as that of others, in accordance with applicable CIMMYT Occupational Health and Safety policies and relevant country legislation.
• Participate in other team projects and activities as required.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• French and/or Arabic is an added advantage.
• Experience working with international organizations, particularly in agricultural development.
• Demonstrated ability to develop communication materials for diverse audiences.
• Ability to adapt and package content for print, digital, and multimedia channels.
• Proficiency in social media platforms and digital communication tools.
• Strong skills in planning and coordinating events.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Experience producing and editing video content.

• Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, International Development, or a related field (a Bachelor’s degree with significant additional relevant experience may be considered).
• At least 4 years of experience in strategic communications, preferably within international development, research-for-development, or donor-funded programmes.