Communications Specialist

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center is seeking an innovative, dynamic & multi skilled candidate to join its office in Lahore, Pakistan, as a Communications Specialist. 

The Communications Specialist will be responsible for updating and executing the Marking Plan for FCDO-funded Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan (WRAP) Programme: Component 1 (Climate Resilient Solutions for Improving Water Governance - CRS-IWaG).  

The successful candidate will also create and implement the project's Communication Strategy (branding), ensuring high-quality outputs aligned with the WRAP Marking Plan. The role involves robust support for IWMI's WRAP team and effective dissemination of lessons and successes to key stakeholders and the public. The Specialist will actively promote and showcase WRAP Component 1's work and objectives, targeting diverse audiences nationally and internationally, including the Government of Pakistan, IWMI, and FCDO. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Develop, update, and implement the WRAP Communications Plan and all periodic (weekly, monthly, quarterly) communications materials to comply with all FCDO guidelines and requirements. 
  • Develop, update, and implement the WRAP Branding to comply with all FCDO guidelines and requirements. 
    • Review, revise, and edit reports using materials provided by the Activity Lead to align with the WRAP Marketing Plan. 
      • Develop activity briefs and create project activity posters/infographics, fact sheets, and success stories in accordance with the WRAP Marking Plan. 
        • Proactively develop cutting-edge media materials, including videos and social media stories, to align with the WRAP Marking Plan. 
          • Organize outreach materials to ensure sufficient products on hand for responsive communication with FCDO Mission staff, Team Leader, and IWMI Headquarters. 
            • Ensure all communication outputs comply with IWMI branding guidelines and any other standards set forth by the Communications and Knowledge Management team. 
              • Commission, supervise, and develop videos of field activities and project events for marketing and showcasing to the FCDO. 
                • Maintain a database of partner lists, photo archives, presentations, site visit kits, and press kits for the WRAP project. 
                  • Prepare press releases, speeches, and talking points as required by the Team Leader. 
                    • Write and organize background briefings for the media. 
                      • Prepare and update a standard information package on the FCDO WRAP project for briefing and distribution to the public and the media. 
                        • Coordinate all external outreach on the project to the Government of Pakistan (GoP) and other stakeholders in consultation with the FCDO. 
                          • Respond to incoming requests for information, talking points, messaging, etc., from project staff, FCDO, and counterparts. Participate and represent WRAP at FCDO/stakeholder events. 
                            • Develop ad-hoc communication materials on water-related issues and topics for diverse audiences, including the FCDO, the GoP, and internal staff, for written and verbal communications and social media. 
                              • Provide communication support at events, including preparation of press releases, announcements, social media posts, and organization of photography and videography as required. 
                                • Solicit information from researchers to develop WRAP communication materials. 
                                  • Contribute to building positive relationships with the government, civil society, and other stakeholders. 
                                    • Provide assistance in preparing project reports according to the FCDO branding and marking guidelines for the research staff at IWMI and its field office. 
                                      • Undertake relevant assignments as requested by the Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader from time to time.

                                        Requirements

                                        EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE: 

                                        Essential,

                                      • Master's level degree in a related field of journalism, communications, or public relations. 
                                      • Minimum 08 years of relevant work experience with international organizations in public relations and corporate communications, demonstrating increasing responsibilities and knowledge. 

                                        Desirable, 

                                      • Prior experience working as a Communications Officer/Specialist with FCDO or FCDO-funded activities. 
                                      • Experience working in the water/climate sector and/or research. 

                                        KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

                                        Essential, 

                                        📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

                                        ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

                                      • Expertise in MS Office package (especially Word, PowerPoint & Excel), content creation & video editing software (e.g., Adobe photoshop). 
                                      • Demonstrated abilities in developing social medica content. 
                                      • Capabilities in drafting various media contents (e.g., press release, web articles, videos). 
                                      • Working knowledge of media relations, publishing, and events planning 
                                      • Knowledge of diversity, inclusion, discrimination, and gender issues in Pakistan 
                                      • Demonstrable high level of autonomy, initiative, expert judgment, adaptability, and flexibility. 
                                      • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment, demonstrating awareness and respect for diversity. 
                                      • Excellent oral and written language skills in English & Urdu, including effective listening and strong verbal and written communication abilities. 
                                      • Willingness to spend extended periods of time in rural areas. 

                                        Desirable, 

                                      • Proficiency in Punjabi will be considered an asset.

                                        Benefits

                                        This is a nationally recruited position and only Pakistani nationals will be considered. IWMI offers a competitive salary and benefits package, inclusive of health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years with the possibility of extension.

                                        IWMI strongly values diversity; therefore, qualified women are highly encouraged to apply.

                                        HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on July 15, 2024 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

                                        IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. 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.