ILRI Vacancy: Project Communication Specialist in CIMMYT

Vacancy Number: A/049/13
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Duration: two (2) year term renewable

General: The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is an autonomous, non profit making, international scientific organization operating under the aegis of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). More specifically its mission is:
To encourage, support and undertake activities to improve the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of maize and wheat systems in the interest of the resource poor in developing countries.
The position: The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is recruiting a Project Communication Specialist based in Addis Ababa, who will be a member of the CIMMYT team.

MAIN DUTIES (Terms of Reference)

In support of the central goal1 of the Nutritious Maize for Ethiopia (NuME) project, funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Project Communicator will help produce and employ diverse extension materials and technical publications to support enhanced adoption and utilization of quality protein maize (QPM) and improved cropping systems by farmers in target areas of Ethiopia, as well as general communications needs of the project.  The incumbent will be based in Addis Ababa and he/she will report to a Kenya-based CIMMYT communications Specialist as well as NuME Project Leader, and will be part of CIMMYT’s global Corporate Communications Unit.  The Project Communication Specialist will travel in Ethiopia as required and occasionally to Nairobi.

Key duties and responsibilities include:

• Works with project partners to develop, produce, and use relevant extension and training materials (flyers, posters, cartoons, DVDs, etc.) for target communities (farmers, health and agricultural extension personnel) and project events (demonstrations, field days)
• Targeted use of social media and relations with conventional media to generate interest and engagement among researchers, local and national policymakers, and project communities
• Liaises with and supports representatives of Farm Radio International, who will mount and implement a major initiative in support of NuME
• Helps develop project brochures, policy briefs, technical bulletins, and varied web content
• Through interviews, photographs, and video, document high-interest stories for dissemination in suitable formats and to various target audiences
• Participates in communications planning and strategy development
• As required, travel to document CIMMYT’s work on the ground, including field visits and taking still and video photography
• Assists scientists in preparing scientific posters, presentations, and other materials
• Selects and provides photographs for use in publications and presentations
• Performs other duties as directed by supervisors

Required qualifications and experience:

• A BA degree in communications, journalism, literature, or another relevant field with at least 5 years of relevant work experience, particularly in extension communications.
• Strong, proven skills in English writing
• Fluency in English and Amharic, working knowledge of other local languages is desirable
• A capacity to understand processes and issues related to science and technology; with a focus on issues affecting agriculture and development in sub-Saharan Africa
• Ability to write/edit under pressure with high accuracy and to deadline
• Creativity, particularly in devising new approaches to publications content
• Ability to work in a team of professionals from many countries, cultures and institutions

Duty Station:     Addis Ababa

Grade:   3A level 2.

Minimum Base Salary:   Birr 19,501 (Negotiable, depending on experience, skill and salary history of the candidate)

Terms of appointment:  Initial appointment is (fixed term) for two years with the possibility of renewal appointment, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding. CIMMYT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits in line with ILRI salary applicable for its Nationally Recruited Staff.  CIMMYT is an international and equal opportunity organization and believes that diversity of its staff contributes to excellence.

The ILRI campus is set in a secure, attractive campus on the outskirts of Addis Ababa.  Dining and sports facilities are located on site.

Applications: Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, relevant documents and testimonials and the names and addresses (including telephone, fax and email) of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Human Resources Office, ILRI, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Telephone: (251-11)-617-20-00; Fax: (251-11)-617-20-01.  The name and reference number of the position for which the application is made should be clearly marked on the envelopes if mailed, or on the fax applications.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Closing date:  23rd August 2013.

To find more about CIMMYT, visit our Website at http://www.cimmyt.org
CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer.
Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply

To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org

To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org/ilricrowd/