Communications Officer WorldFish Center

The WorldFish Center, a CGIAR Consortium Research Center, is an international, nonprofit research organization. CGIAR is a global research partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for sustainable development. CGIAR research is dedicated to reducing rural poverty, increasing food security, improving human health and nutrition, and ensuring more sustainable management of natural resources. It is carried out by the 15 centers who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in close collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector.

The WorldFish Center is committed to meeting two key development challenges: 1) improving the livelihoods of those who are especially poor and vulnerable in places where fisheries and aquaculture can make a difference and 2) achieving large scale, environmentally sustainable, increases in supply and access to fish at affordable prices for poor consumers in developing countries.

A unique opportunity has arisen for gifted individuals to contribute to the mission of the Center.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Communications and Donor Relations Division (CDRD)

The Communication and Donor Relations Division is committed to carrying out an effective, efficient and consistent communication and donor relations program that will enhance and support WorldFish’s ability to fulfill its mission.

The Division manages a range of communication services including strategic advice on communication and donor relations, coordination of publication processes, managing the Center’s websites and intranet, corporate marketing, social media, central press relations, event planning and knowledge management.

Program Support Unit (PSU)

WorldFish is leading the implementation of the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS), a three year $59m program that harnesses scientific research to reduce poverty and hunger amongst those who depend on aquatic agriculture systems for their livelihoods. The AAS Program Support Unit is responsible for supporting program implementation, delivering an effective communication strategy, managing financial resources and ensuring reporting obligations are met.

The Communications Officer plays a critical role in implementing and monitoring the communication strategy of the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems. This includes capturing, producing and preparing a range of information derived from the Program’s work for publication and dissemination in a number of different formats and communication vehicles so as to reach and influence a wide array of audiences.

Key Selection Criteria

Key Responsibilities

• Managing the implementation of the AAS communication strategy;
• Participating in communication planning at Program level with a large range of partners including CGIAR partners (IWMI and Bioversity);
• Undertaking communication monitoring for the AAS Program;
• Managing the content generation for the AAS website and other social media platforms;
• Writing, editing and preparing for publication journalistic-style stories and social media messaging about AAS research findings for print and electronic media and publications;
• Suggesting and implementing innovative communication tools and tactics for the Program;
• Playing a key role in the organization of events for AAS; and
• Scoping out and identifying communication needs in the AAS focal countries and develop plans to address these needs.

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated skills and knowledge in writing, editing and publishing research for development material for non-technical audiences and using a multiple number of communication tools and tactics;
• Knowledge and demonstrated use of social networking tools and protocols;
• Advanced project management skills;
• Ability to assess and guide communication capacity development;
• Excellent verbal and written English skills;
• Demonstrated knowledge of communication planning including monitoring and evaluation of communication activities; and
• Knowledge and demonstrated use of innovative communication techniques.

Desired skills and abilities

· Experience in event coordination is an added advantage.

Essential Qualifications and Experiences

• Degree in journalism, communications, or a related discipline; and
• At least five years experience in journalism, communications or new media.

Desired Qualifications and Experiences

• Experience in agricultural research for development; and
• Experience working for an international organization.

The WorldFish Center offers a competitive remuneration package, a non-discriminatory policy and provides an innovative work environment.

Interested applicants are invited to submit i) a letter of application indicating how they meet the key selection criteria (note if the application does not address the key selection criteria it may not be considered), ii) a comprehensive curriculum vitae and iii) names and contacts (telephone, fax, and e-mail addresses) of three professional referees who are familiar with your qualifications and work experience.

You are required to submit your application (with indication on the subject line “Application for the position of Communications Officer” and indicate in your application the source of this advertisement (where you saw the job announcement) to the Human Resources Strategy and Services Unit at
worldfish-hr@cgiar.org.

Initial screening of applications will begin on 6 April 2012 and position will remain open until filled. The position will be based at the WorldFish Center headquarters in Penang, Malaysia.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

WorldFish is committed to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.