Reference number: 202521
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Consultancy
Duty station: Nairobi or Remote, Kenya
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CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.
A Consultancy – Project Communications Coordinator
Overview
CIFOR-ICRAF is seeking the best Project Communication Coordinators to join our dynamic, multicultural team and play a key role in driving impactful communication strategies and plans. In this position, you will contribute our projects to showcase the work they are doing on some of the most pressing global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental conservation, forest restoration, soil health, community engagement, and wildlife management. You will work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, crafting compelling narratives, managing digital and media outreach, and engaging stakeholders across diverse sectors. You will oversee and manage a portfolio of projects across the organization, adapting communication strategies based on location, themes, and target audiences. If you are passionate about storytelling, strategic communication, and making a tangible difference in the world, we invite you to be part of our mission to create lasting positive change.
Duties and responsibilities
1. Objectives of the assignment
The Project
Communications Coordinator is responsible for planning and implementing project
and or country related communications activities, in alignment with our
organizational priorities and values, and working in synergy with the COE
department. It plays a crucial role in enhancing the visibility and impact of
projects by developing and implementing effective communication strategies. It
ensures clear, consistent, and engaging messaging that strengthens stakeholder
engagement, builds trust, and supports projects’ implementation. They manage
digital and media content, create high-quality material, and facilitate
knowledge sharing both internally and externally. By amplifying key messages
through various channels, they contribute to advocacy efforts, policy
influence, and community engagement. Additionally, they oversee crisis
communication and reputation management, ensuring timely and accurate responses
to potential risks while maintaining transparency and alignment with the
organization's mission.
2. Tasks and
Deliverables
The
following indicative task and associated deliverables are expected at the end
of this assignment:
- Develop and implement communication
strategies and tactical plans including identifying key messages, target
audiences, and suitable communication channels, budgets, action plans and
performance metrics.
- Monitor
and evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies.
- Align
communication efforts with organizational branding and policies.
- Plan
and produce multi-media content such as publications, articles, web
content, social media content, videos, infographics, media releases,
infographics, videos, photography, newsletters, presentations and event
related content, ensuring quality control.
- Coordinate
the maintenance and updating of project websites/webpages and online
platforms.
- Develop
communication toolkits for internal and external stakeholders.
- Elicit
media relationships to promote project activities under the guidance of
the COE media team.
- Ensure
high-quality press releases, media briefs, and articles are delivered as
needed.
- Coordinate
the organization of press conferences, media briefings, and interviews.
- Monitor
media coverage and prepare reports on media impact.
- Assist
in communication with partners, donors, governments, and beneficiaries.
- Develop
materials to engage stakeholders (fact sheets, presentations, brochures).
- Plan
and execute project-related events workshops, events and campaigns, as
well as participation in conferences, forums, and meetings, including
overall planning, logistics, developing promotional material and outreach
activities, speaker coordination, implementation, marketing and reporting
on results.
- Ensure
visibility of the project during international observances (e.g., UN
days).
- Produce
analytical reports for management and donors on the performance of all
communications activities as agreed upon, tracking and analyzing key
performance indicators (KPIs).
- Ensure
compliance with donor visibility requirements and branding guidelines.
- Collect
and document success stories and testimonials.
- All
production will be undertaken in coordination with and using the resources
of the COE communications team and consultants.
- Develop
contingency communication plans, statements and responses for crisis
situations, manage and mitigate reputational risk related to the project.
- Undertake
other communication activities as agreed upon.
- All
activities are undertaken in coordination with and using the resources of
the COE team and consultants.
Requirements
- Master’s degree
in communications, journalism or a related field, or equivalent working
experience.
- Excellent English
language skills (both verbal and written).
- Proven
proficiency in one or more other languages among: Bahasa Indonesian,
French, Portuguese and Spanish.
- A minimum of 5
years of progressive experience in strategic communications planning,
messaging and monitoring.
- 3 years of
full-time experience writing, editing and interviewing for digital and
print media, video production
or broadcasting.
- Proven ability to
manage communication activities.
- Must be able to
multitask and work well under pressure.
- Excellent
understanding of different communication formats and channels and strong
knowledge and understanding of current trends in digital media/social
media.
- Proven ability to
coordinate content contributions within a team and/or across teams;
ability to build strong working relations with counterparts worldwide.
- Background and
understanding of environment, climate, forestry or related subject areas
and science communications.
Education, knowledge and experience
•Master’s degree in communications, journalism or a related field, or equivalent working experience.
•Excellent English language skills (both verbal and written).
•Proven proficiency in one or more other languages among: Bahasa Indonesian, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
•A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in strategic communications planning, messaging and monitoring.
•3 years of full-time experience writing, editing and interviewing for digital and print media, video production or broadcasting.
•Proven ability to manage communication activities.
•Must be able to multitask and work well under pressure.
•Excellent understanding of different communication formats and channels and strong knowledge and understanding of current trends in digital media/social media.
•Proven ability to coordinate content contributions within a team and/or across teams; ability to build strong working relations with counterparts worldwide.
•Background and understanding of environment, climate, forestry or related subject areas and science communications.
Terms and conditions
CIFOR-ICRAF shall advertise the consultancy for competitive bidding. Interested individuals are requested to submit the following.
•CV(s) of the professional(s) with suitable references to undertake the consultancy.
•Two (2) samples of previous work related to this assignment.
•Closing date for receipt of applications: 31 March 2025.
•Duty station will be Nairobi, Kenya or Remote.
Application process
The application deadline is 31 Mar 2025
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.
