Head of Communications and External Affairs at icipe - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

• Develop, implement, and regularly update icipe’s communications, advocacy, and outreach strategy in collaboration with the leadership team.
• Align communications efforts with icipe’s strategic priorities and programming goals to maximize institutional visibility and influence.
• Ensure effective integration of communication and advocacy components into project design and implementation.
• Translate complex research and development concepts into simple, compelling, and actionable messages for diverse audiences.
• Oversee the design, production, and dissemination of high-quality communications and advocacy materials, including press releases, videos, policy briefs, donor brochures, and digital content.
• Provide strategic oversight for icipe’s internal and external messaging, including branding and editorial consistency.
• Lead media engagement and cultivate relationships with key media outlets and journalists.
• Oversee icipe’s presence in traditional and digital media platforms, ensuring timely, relevant, and consistent content across channels.
• Identify and leverage strategic events, campaigns, and global observances to elevate icipe’s voice and visibility.
• Supervise the maintenance and development of icipe’s website and social media platforms, ensuring dynamic, updated, and audience-focused content.
• Monitor digital performance and user engagement; implement improvements based on analytics and feedback.
• In association with the Resource Mobilization and Advocacy Manager, build and maintain strong relationships with donors, partners, government agencies, and research collaborators.
• Represent icipe in external forums, events, and strategic conversations where communications and advocacy are central.
• Support icipe’s leadership in speechwriting, high-level briefs, and strategic messaging.
• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary communications team, including science writers, digital content specialists, and consultants.
• Provide functional oversight and coordination to the Scientific Publications and Content Advisor (SPCA), ensuring that scientific content aligns with icipe’s overall communications strategy. The SPCA role will maintain a dotted line reporting relationship to the Deputy Director General – R4D to ensure technical and scientific accuracy.
• Coordinate communications-related meetings and workflows across departments for coherence and synergy.
• Monitor and report on communication and advocacy performance, using indicators aligned with icipe’s strategic plan.
• Manage the communications budget to ensure efficient use of resources and measurable impact.

• Master’s level degree in Communications, International Relations, Journalism, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling ability.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive experience in strategic communications, public affairs, advocacy, or media relations, ideally within international or research-based organizations.
• Strategic thinker with strong leadership and team management skills.
• Contribution to research publications and reports.
• Sound judgment and ability to respond quickly to media and reputational matters.

• Proven track record in developing and implementing successful communication and external affairs strategies would be desired.
• Ability to build strategic partnerships at national and international levels.
• High level external representation with various stakeholders.

• This position reports to the Director General.

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