(RFP300444) - Consultant - Africa Communications

CONSULTANT - AFRICA COMMUNICATIONS

THE ORGANIZATION

The Alliance of Bioversity International (www.bioversityinternational.org) and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) (www.ciat.cgiar.org) delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people's lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

With novel partnerships, the Alliance generates evidence and mainstream innovations to transform food systems and landscapes so that they sustain the planet, drive prosperity, and nourish people in a climate crisis.

The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.

Consultancy Objective

The Africa Communications Consultant implements the Africa Communications Strategy, which aims to position the Alliance as a sustainable food systems research expert and trusted partner in the region. 

The Consultant provides strategic communications support to researchers and the Regional Hub's management team in communicating accomplishments, on-going research efforts, and impacts of the Alliance to target audiences. 

The consultant works and coordinates with the communications sub teams (Publications, Brand & Graphic Design, Digital & Internal, and Global Comms) for the development and production of publications, on-brand materials, and content for the digital channels and for media outreach purposes.

This role reports to the Managing Director for Africa in coordination with the Communications Team Leader.

This role is expected to last for 6 months and will involve working from the Alliance's offices on the ICIPE campus in Nairobi.

Main responsibilities

• Produce an overall Africa narrative and its correspondent message grid for communication, engagement and advocacy purposes.
  
• Identify strategic needs and opportunities for Alliance communications in Africa to reach regional as well as global audiences with a particular focus on Francophone Africa.
  
• Curate and publish compelling updates, especially for the newly created \"Alliance in Africa--\" LinkedIn channel, external Newsletter while identifying and exploring viability of potential new channels.
  
• Prepare a portfolio of content and lead regional communications efforts in the lead up to key events such as the Africa Food Systems Forum, and the Africa Climate Summit.
  
• Collaborate with colleagues based in, and outside of the region to coordinate digital, media, editorial and graphic design support for the Africa region.  
  
• Coordinate and manage the development of various communication products in English and French, including stories, videos, public awareness-raising materials, around key themes such as climate-smart agriculture, nutrition, agroecology, agrobiodiversity, landscape restoration, digital innovations, and gender and social inclusion, and capacity building tools.
  
• Develop and maintain strategic media relations at the international, regional, and national levels to ensure high visibility for the Alliance's work in Africa.
  
  

  Requirements

  Education qualifications and experience
  

  • Master's degree in related field communications or a related field (journalism, public relations)
    
  • Proficiency in both written and verbal communication in English and French is essential with Arabic as an added advantage.
    
  • A minimum of five years of experience in international organizational settings.
    
  • Government, agency, or private sector experience in Francophone Africa is an added advantage.
    
  • Possesses strong abilities in teamwork, negotiation, communication, and diplomacy, with the capacity to engage courteously and effectively with individuals at all levels within a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment, including external stakeholders.
    
  • Exceptional attention to detail, critical thinking abilities, high standards of excellence, personal organization, prioritization, and time management skills, along with flexibility and a proven track record of meeting deadlines.
    
  • Demonstrated ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment while also collaborating effectively as a team member to achieve shared goals.
    
  • Possesses strong skills in coordinating, prioritizing, and organizing workload, taking initiative, and performing well under pressure.
    
  • Excellent communications skills, written and oral