Senior Communications Advisor and Speechwriter

Duration: 6 months

Location: Candidates should be based in a location where there is a convenient cross-over for a number of hours each day with Central European Time.

Deadline for applications: 03 July 2024, 11:59 PM (CET)

Start date: 10 July 2024

CGIAR's Communications & Outreach Global Group engages external and internal audiences to increase CGIAR’s voice, influence, and impact around the world. This Group provides strategic and operational leadership in communications and outreach to build the brand, boost the understanding and relevance of CGIAR’s science, and support investment, positioning the organization to achieve its mission to transform food, land, and water systems.

The Senior Communications Advisor is responsible for supporting key CGIAR System leaders with timely, high-quality, high-impact communication material and raising their profiles for impact in the context of their advocacy engagements.

The position requires a highly organized communications professional who brings a strong client focus and gravitas to the role. Excellent written and oral communication, editing, and reporting skills in English are essential for this role.

Key Responsibilities: · Increase CGIAR’s visibility and voice by raising the profile of its top executives through strategic engagement aligned with CGIAR's communications strategies and campaigns.
· Support, as needed, the engagement and participation of CGIAR’s key leaders in different high-profile events, conferences, meetings, and digital initiatives.
· Provide timely and high-quality communication support to those leaders in the form of developing, writing, editing, and reviewing high-quality briefs, speeches, speaking points, key messages, presentations, blogs, op-eds, bios, video scripts, social media messages, and other collateral materials as required.
· Liaise with colleagues across the CGIAR system to ensure prioritization of leaders’ engagement and participation in different events and input from experts into the communication materials being developed.
· Support top executives to engage the media by liaising with the media, supporting the executive with briefs and talking points, accompanying the executive and following up as needed.
· Ability to provide occasional on-the-ground support at major events.
· Undertake other tasks as appropriate to further advance relevant strategies and initiatives and as assigned by the Managing Director, C&O.

Requirements

Requirements, Qualifications, Skills, and Experience: · Degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or related field.
· At least 8 to 10 years of experience in a similar position supporting communications and/or media relations in agricultural/environmental research for development is an advantage.
· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. A team player with the ability to establish and nurture effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary, and complex environment.
· Excellent written and oral communication, editing, and reporting skills in English. Working knowledge of French, Spanish, Arabic, or another major language that enhances effective collaboration across the CGIAR System global operations is an advantage but not necessary.
· Ability to present and package scientific information into various formats to effectively engage specialist and non-specialist audiences.
· A keen understanding of traditional and digital media and newsworthiness.
· Ability to read, understand, and assimilate complex technical/scientific information to produce clear, well-written summaries.
· Demonstrated experience in speech writing, key message development, op-eds, stories, and social media campaigns.
· Proficiency in using Microsoft Office software packages (at a minimum, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), as well as knowledge of and skills in desktop publishing and WordPress.

Personal Traits: · A self-starter with strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills
· Ability to multitask and remain effective under pressure
· Highest work ethic and integrity to inspire trust and credibility
· Highly effective problem-solver who can think outside the box

Important Application Details

In addition to providing a cover letter and CV, applications should include an indication of current/required day rate.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Benefits

CGIAR is committed to fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-colour, multi-generational, and multi-disciplinary, collegial working environment, with a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and flexible working arrangements. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.