Communication and Knowledge Manager at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Communication and Knowledge Manager

Ref. No: IITA/P&C/NRS2023-027
Location: Yola, Adamawa
Job type: Full time

Description

• Develop, coordinate, and implement a detailed communication and knowledge exchange plan for the Activity in close collaboration with the Activity’s experts, partners, and the Chief of Party.
• Establish and maintain approaches to ensure the sustainable, timely, transparent, and interconnected two-way exchange of knowledge across the Activity.
• Manage and ensure effective stakeholder relationships and knowledge exchange approaches by engaging in dialog and using feedback mechanisms with Activity partners, ADP, and beneficiaries.
• Manage Activity events (including press conferences, fairs, promotional events, and exhibitions) and produce accurate and timely reports of events (including media releases), success stories, and newsletters/bulletins.
• Set up, design, and coordinate an online media platform on Activity’s results in close collaboration with a social media expert.
• Support web-based tools and social media for widespread communication of knowledge generated.
• Produce efficient communication materials (print and audio including educational video documentation) adapted to the needs of farmers for communication of key Activity outputs and learnings.
• Advise on and produce training and educational materials for the manufacture and use of the best-practice production technologies, seed systems approach, business cluster formation, and integrated value chain development for extension services and rural populations.
• Manage in close collaboration with the Chief of Party and the donor the PR aspect of a possible crisis situation and advise on possible crisis communication strategies.
• Participate and contribute to the reporting, evaluation, and planning processes and elaboration of Activity.
• Work with other staff of the Activity to ensure that the objectives of the Activity are achieved.
• Perform any other job-related duties as may be assigned by the Head of the Unit.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, English Language, Linguistics, Public Relations or other related field with a minimum of seven (7) years’ experience performing similar role in an international organization or a donor funded project.

Competencies:
The ideal candidate must:

• Be proficient in the use of computers (with good grasp and knowledge of spreadsheets, word processing, power point presentation and other MS office applications), database management software, internet-based tools and other electronic communication tools.
• Have a good understanding and knowledge of online social media tools (such as Web 2.0 platforms, blog sites etc.) and writing for the Web.
• Be proficient in English language with excellent oral, writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills, be a team worker and facilitator, communication and networking skills and the ability to work in a team-oriented multicultural environment.
• Demonstrate ability to plan and co-ordinate, and monitor own work plans, prioritize and organize workloads; take initiatives and work under pressure.
• Have an excellent understanding of agriculture, poverty, youth empowerment, gender and sustainability issues in rural development of Nigeria, especially in the Northeast region.
• Have ability to integrate in an existing complex programme set-up.
• Have ability to deliver accurate and timely reports of events, success stories and newsletters/bulletins.
• Be able to work with minimum supervision and with tight deadlines.

Benefits

• We offer highly competitive salaries with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Application Closing Date
7th July, 2023.