Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International) is an international not-for-profit organization that improves people’s lives worldwide by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment. Our approach involves putting information, skills and tools into people's hands. CABI's 48 me...

Responsibilities or duties

Conduct a stakeholder analysis and establish a network with high-profile agricultural organisations at national, international and community level (such as Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), NGOs, Farmer Associations & Cooperatives) that work with agro-advisory service providers, including agro-input dealers, and farmers in India.

Identify and prioritise organisations to collaborate with on the promotion of the CABI suite of digital advisory tools, especially the CABI Bio Protection Portal and the Crop Sprayer App.

In collaboration with these organisations, identify appropriate communication channels (e.g. social media, radio, WhatsApp groups, Telegram, village groups, etc.) that could be used to maximise reach to users of the CABI digital advisory tools and which languages should be used.

Develop a suite of communication materials and tools, for example online and face-to-face training, social media messaging, flyers, posters, video instructional clips, etc., that can be used to send messaging to FPOs and other farmer organisations that are engaged in farmer welfare and education.

Monitor usage of the CABI digital advisory tools to assess impact of communication events conducted and calculate the return on investment.

Attend leading national industry events and conferences to give thought-leader presentations promoting use of digital advisory tools that support utilisation of biopesticides and low-toxicity chemicals in a rational manner.

Recommend biocontrol manufacturers to the CABI Bio Protection Portal project manager for potential partnership, as well as recommendations for private sector sponsors and associates, in order to contribute to sustainability of the portal.

Use your social media network (LinkedIn and/or Twitter) to raise the profile of CABI’s work and drive engagement with the digital advisory tools.

Manage the budget and spend of your activities and regularly report performance against targets.

Own and develop processes for managing the progress of your activities and improve efficiency.

Communicate regularly with other staff working within the CABI PlantwisePlus programme to ensure awareness and alignment of activities within the broader programme.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

You will be a qualified agricultural specialist with over 5 years’ experience working with and communicating with agro-advisory service providers and farmers in Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, and Zambia.

You will understand the principles of marketing products to specialist sectors and be confident in communicating with both highly qualified industry leaders and smallholder farmers.

With contacts in the public sector, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and international organizations (e.g., ICRISAT, CIMMYT), who have direct links with FPOs, and a social media following, you will have an established network to begin promoting CABI’s work.

You will use your knowledge and experience of agricultural development, scientific research, and stakeholder engagement to drive the use of CABI’s digital tools.

Experience needed

Experience working and communicating with government agencies, Universities, agro-advisory service providers, farmers, and other stakeholders

Proven experience in marketing digital tools or products, with a strong understanding of marketing concepts and strategies

Demonstrated ability to manage and cultivate partnerships with external organizations and stakeholders.

Knowledge or experience in the agriculture or agribusiness sector is highly desirable

SKILLS

Ability to work across cultures and geographic boundaries

Strong team player with excellent technical management and communication skills

Ability to work on own initiative and meet targets within budget

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey technical concepts to a non-technical audience.

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, marketing, digital technology, communications or a related field.

Fluent spoken and written English. Knowledge of African languages would be advantageous.

REQUIREMENTS

Available to travel extensively across Africa

ROLE DETAILS:

Grade: HAY Band 5

Contract duration: 1-year fixed-term contract

Reporting to: Head of Programmes Marketing

Direct reports: None

WHAT WE OFFER:

We aim to recruit and retain passionate people who have the necessary skills, knowledge and commitment to help us achieve our mission. Our benefits are designed to make our lives easier, improve our work-life balance, save money, and safeguard our well-being. They include:

Competitive salaries.

30 days of annual leave, plus public holidays.

Defined contribution pension scheme with employee contribution.

A culture committed to being a fully inclusive, enjoyable, and fulfilling place to work.

An Employee Assistance Programme, with a full calendar of health and well-being initiatives.

Flexible working options.

Career development opportunities, including internal promotions, mentoring, and a Development Bursary to visit another CABI center.

Medical insurance and long service awards.

• Conduct a stakeholder analysis and establish a network with high-profile agricultural organisations at national, international and community level (such as Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), NGOs, Farmer Associations & Cooperatives) that work with agro-advisory service providers, including agro-input dealers, and farmers in India.
• Identify and prioritise organisations to collaborate with on the promotion of the CABI suite of digital advisory tools, especially the CABI Bio Protection Portal and the Crop Sprayer App.
• In collaboration with these organisations, identify appropriate communication channels (e.g. social media, radio, WhatsApp groups, Telegram, village groups, etc.) that could be used to maximise reach to users of the CABI digital advisory tools and which languages should be used.
• Develop a suite of communication materials and tools, for example online and face-to-face training, social media messaging, flyers, posters, video instructional clips, etc., that can be used to send messaging to FPOs and other farmer organisations that are engaged in farmer welfare and education.
• Monitor usage of the CABI digital advisory tools to assess impact of communication events conducted and calculate the return on investment.
• Attend leading national industry events and conferences to give thought-leader presentations promoting use of digital advisory tools that support utilisation of biopesticides and low-toxicity chemicals in a rational manner.
• Recommend biocontrol manufacturers to the CABI Bio Protection Portal project manager for potential partnership, as well as recommendations for private sector sponsors and associates, in order to contribute to sustainability of the portal.
• Use your social media network (LinkedIn and/or Twitter) to raise the profile of CABI’s work and drive engagement with the digital advisory tools.
• Manage the budget and spend of your activities and regularly report performance against targets.
• Own and develop processes for managing the progress of your activities and improve efficiency.
• Communicate regularly with other staff working within the CABI PlantwisePlus programme to ensure awareness and alignment of activities within the broader programme.

• Ability to work across cultures and geographic boundaries
• Strong team player with excellent technical management and communication skills
• Ability to work on own initiative and meet targets within budget
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey technical concepts to a non-technical audience.

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, marketing, digital technology, communications or a related field.
• Fluent spoken and written English. Knowledge of African languages would be advantageous.