ILRI Vacancy: Communications and Knowledge Management Specialist

Vacancy Number: CKM/LGI/03/14
Department: LGII/LSE
Duration: 2 years renewable contract

ILRI seeks to recruit Communications and Knowledge Management Specialist to develop communications materials and organize communications and knowledge sharing activities of the work, outputs and outcomes of two research programs of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI): Livelihoods, Gender and Impact (LGI) and Livestock Systems and the Environment (LSE). He/she will also provide communications-related support as needed to the ILRI focal points serving the CGIAR research programs on climate change and on dryland systems. This person will also work within a newly restructured ILRI communications and knowledge management (CKM) team which includes other communications and knowledge management staff similarly embedded in ILRI’s programs and regions as well as experts working across the institute. The communications and knowledge management specialist will manage all kinds of communications work for these two research programs while also focusing on writing and editing work of a public nature that helps influence decisions and enhance the uptake of research products.

ILRI works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in West and southern Africa and South and Southeast Asia.www.ilri.org.

The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in 31 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors.

CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. www.cgiar.org.

Responsibilities

Write, edit, illustrate, design, format and oversee production of a stream of public materials generated by the research programs, including regular news and feature blog articles and more occasional research reports, policy briefs, brochures, science posters and multimedia products;
Populate program-specific blog sites with content, engaging with the readers of these blogs and with responders to social media content generated by the programs;
Help disseminate the programs’ messages and materials through ILRI’s publishing, knowledge sharing and social media channels as well as more widely as needed;
Update LGI and LSE content on relevant pages of ILRI’s main website and other relevant web portals;
Develop program-related materials, such as summaries of research projects, updates of research progress, staff profiles, feature articles and success stories;
Document meetings and workshops and manage the uploading of all relevant materials online;
Compile, draft and summarize internal reports as needed;
Help the programs’ researchers/team leaders work with media e.g. organize journalist interviews and staff profiles, and disseminate key messages;
Ensure that research publications and other outputs are deposited and indexed in ILRI’s repository and contribute information as needed for ILRI’s online calendar of events and contacts systems
Identify, track and report on a set of performance indicators for communications work in the two research programs;
Keep track of the online footprint and media mentions of LGI, LSE and the ILRI focal points serving the CGIAR research programs on climate change and on dryland systems work and amplify these where appropriate;
Contribute to the ILRI-wide communications and KM community of practice, participate in CKM learning, reviewing and planning activities and ensure that these activities follow ILRI standards and agreed channels;
Perform any other related duties as assigned by the team leader from time to time.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, advertising or related field, Master’s degree communications or related field will be add advantage;
At least five years of progressively advanced experience in relevant communications work with a focus on writing, editing, proofreading and design of materials for print and web;
Experience and expertise in the following areas is also required:

o Expertise in graphic arts computer programs

o Experience in database management

o Experience in managing media relations

o Experience in technical / scientific writing and editing

o Experience in international or development oriented organizations

o Experience using social media

Outstanding written, and excellent verbal, English;
Skilled in mainstream computer programs, especially Microsoft Office applications;
Sharp analytical, organizational and documentation skills;
Keen attention to detail;
Ability to work well both independently and within teams;
Flexible, willing to grow professionally, learn new skills;
Can meet tight deadlines without compromising quality.

Terms of appointment:

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) positions based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus and is for a 2 years’ contract period.

Job level and salary:

This position is job level 2D with a starting salary of KES143,917 per month. In addition to salary, ILRI offers Medical insurance for staff and dependents, Life insurance, Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days+ public holidays within ILRI’s National Recruited Staff Scheme.

How to apply:

Applicants should send a cover letter and CV explaining their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Human Resources Director through: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ before 13 April 2014. The position title and reference number REF: CKM/LGI/03/14 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.

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/

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer