Reports to: C4RPWC Project Manager and ICARDA Head of Communications
Location: Ajman/Dubai, UAE
Main purpose of the position
The Consortium for Red Palm Weevil Control (C4RPWC) is a multi-partner initiative led by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in collaboration with the UAE Government, the Gates Foundation, CGIAR centers, and international research institutions. The project aims to protect date palms, livelihoods, and the environment through innovative and sustainable pest management solutions. To ensure strong visibility, coordination, and uptake of research outputs, ICARDA seeks a Communications and Knowledge Management Officer to lead the implementation of the C4RPWC Communications and Outreach Plan.
ICARDA's Communications Team carries out a diverse range of activities in a busy and time-restricted environment to market the work, news, and achievements of the organization and its leadership. Outputs are mostly digital through social media and the website, with a strong element of traditional press engagement, hard-copy publications, event coordination, and partner relations. The Communication Team also provides colleagues with a range of marketing tools and style guides, supports internal communications and ensures ICARDA\u2019s external voice and branding are consistent.
The successful candidate will work closely with ICARDA\u2019s Head of Communications and C4RPWC management and technical teams to lead communications, outreach, and knowledge-sharing activities for C4RPWC. They will ensure effective visibility, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination of results through integrated media, digital, and knowledge management strategies aligned with ICARDA and CGIAR standards. The role will involve regular coordination with the C4RPWC team, donors, and partners to ensure quality and consistency in communications outputs and branding across a high profile, multi-faceted project.
About ICARDA
ICARDA is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR. ICARDA\u2019s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development, and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organizations, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org.
Main responsibilities
Strategic Communications and Branding
\u00b7 Serve as ICARDA\u2019s main point of contact for all communications related to the C4RPWC program.
\u00b7 Collaborate with C4RPWC technical and communications team to ensure on time implementation of the C4RPWC Communications and Outreach Plan (2025\u20132027).
\u00b7 Manage communications service providers, vendors and consultants to ensure high quality, timely delivery of professional communications products.
\u00b7 Ensure all communications adhere to the agreed upon C4RPWC branding guidelines.
\u00b7 Manage the C4RPWC visual identity across print, web, and partner materials.
\u00b7 Develop/oversee production of press releases, feature stories, videos, brochures, and infographics and/or other projects as needed, highlighting project milestones and impacts.
\u00b7 Coordinate quarterly newsletters, annual updates, and progress briefs for stakeholders and donors.
Media and Public Engagement
\u00b7 Maintain proactive relationships with target media outlets at global, regional, and national levels to promote C4RPWC successes.
\u00b7 Draft and pitch stories, coordinate interviews, and manage press events.
\u00b7 Prepare media kits, talking points, and Q&As for ICARDA C4RPWC leadership and partners.
\u00b7 Track and report on media coverage, social media engagement, and campaign performance.
\u00b7 Support communications for events under the project.
Digital and Social Media Management
\u00b7 Manage and regularly update the C4RPWC project webpage on the ICARDA website in close coordination with the ICARDA communications team.
\u00b7 Design and execute social media campaigns around major milestones and publications in coordination with ICARDA Digital Communications Officer.
\u00b7 Manage the production of multimedia content (videos, photo stories, animations) highlighting scientific innovations and impact.
\u00b7 Monitor analytics and optimize digital engagement strategies for maximum visibility.
Coordination and Partnerships
\u00b7 Collaborate closely with project leads, scientists, and country focal points to capture outcomes. Liaise with communication teams of partners (ICIPE, ICBA, ICRISAT, IITA, and others) to harmonize messaging.
\u00b7 Provide communications support to joint publications and cross-center initiatives.
\u00b7 Support capacity development in communications and knowledge sharing for national and regional partners.
Knowledge Management and Dissemination
\u00b7 Work with scientists to translate data into accessible policy briefs, factsheets, and case studies.
\u00b7 Document and disseminate success stories and good practices across project countries.
Requirements
Education, qualifications, and experience
Essential qualifications and competencies
\u00b7 Bachelor\u2019s degree in communication, marketing, journalism, international relations, or related field. Advanced degree preferred.
\u00b7 At least five years of progressively responsible experience in communication, media relations and/or knowledge management, preferably within international organizations.
\u00b7 Proven experience developing and implementing communication and outreach strategies.
\u00b7 Strong background in content creation, media engagement, and digital communications.
\u00b7 Experience in agriculture, climate change, or environmental sustainability communications preferred.
\u00b7 Ability to synthesize scientific content into engaging, accessible communication.
\u00b7 Proven background coordinating the production of high-quality digital content such as such as briefs, imagery, videos, web articles, infographics, etc.
\u00b7 Excellent writing and editing skills in English (Arabic desirable).
\u00b7 Strong organizational, coordination, and project management skills.
\u00b7 Ability to work effectively and with diverse teams under tight deadlines and with high autonomy.
\u00b7 Ability to think strategically combined with the ability and willingness to do hands-on work.
\u00b7 A personable and supportive team-oriented candidate.
\u00b7 An upbeat and enthusiastic attitude.
\u00b7 Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
\u00b7 Strong work ethic and integrity.
\u00b7 Knowledge of the regions in which ICARDA operates.
\u00b7 Experience with Adobe InDesign is desirable.
\u00b7 Able to assess the quality of photographic and video materials.
Benefits
Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits
This is a nationally recruited position open for residents in UAE for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months\u2019 maternity leave, 15 days\u2019 paternity leave. The successful candidate will be offered an initial one-year contract, renewable subject to the continued need for the position and satisfactory performance, until the end of the project on 31 July 2028. The first year will be a probationary period.
Please be advised that ICARDA accepts applications only in English, as per the organization's standard communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.