Communications & Knowledge Management Coordinator

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center, is seeking a creative & multi-skilled candidate to join its office in Pretoria, South Africa, as a Communications & Knowledge Management Coordinator. The Communications & Knowledge Management Coordinator will lead the strategic communication delivery for achieving global impact, primarily for the IWMI Southern Africa office, and especially for the research initiative Ukama Ustawi (CGIAR Research Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa). The incumbent will provide communications support to the IWMI-SA Country Representative, Ukama Ustawi Initiative Lead, and a team of researchers undertaking various research projects in the region. The incumbent will develop content and will support events and campaigns in the region, in accordance with quality standards and guidelines, and with input from relevant stakeholders. The person will coordinate closely with the Communications & Knowledge Management team, as an integral part of its global systems and workflows. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Design and implement communications plans aligned with CGIAR's, IWMI's and the Initiatives' objectives, in coordination with IWMI's and CGIAR's Communications & Knowledge Management teams based out of respective headquarters. Tailor messaging for diverse audiences including government partners, local stakeholders, and donors. Participate in weekly meetings of IWMI's Communications & Knowledge Management team and/or update planning tools, to ensure strategic alignment and a coordinated approach for content and upcoming events. Coordinate with CGIAR Communications & Outreach as necessary. Manage documents, databases, and other knowledge resources, and feed them into institutional repositories. Coordinate the production of articles (news, features, press releases, op-eds, success stories, profiles) for CGIAR's and IWMI's global websites, global newsletters, and other outlets. Liaise with authors and reviewers for edits and approvals. Follow IWMI's style guide. Develop and coordinate the production of audience-led communications outputs (briefs, factsheets, presentations, reports, infographics, posters, etc.) to advance IWMI's corporate and project objectives, focused on impacts and results. Coordinate with IWMI's Communications and Knowledge Management team in HQ for the production of video according to quality standards and guidelines. Once approved, lead the editorial aspect of video projects, to highlight project impact and results through storytelling. Ensure guidelines are followed and contract conditions are met before payment to consultants. Coordinate with IWMI's Communications and Knowledge Management team in HQ for photographic documentation of activities, to ensure images are high-quality, capture areas of strategic interest, include complete caption info and metadata, and are ingested into the global photo library. Coordinate with photographers for editorial guidance. Ensure guidelines are followed and contract conditions are met before payment to consultants. Ensure alignment with insights from research projects and adherence to donor and IWMI branding guidelines. Cultivate relationships with journalists and coordinate media participation in events. Develop and maintain a media outlet database. Harvest contacts and contribute to IWMI's global databases. Assess the effectiveness of communication and knowledge management strategies and monitor metrics and gather feedback to understand the impact of initiatives. Identify, build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in research, development planning, and policy. Support the documentation of internal and external meetings and workshops. Identify key events for promoting projects and develop communication plans for these events. Support IWMI's presence at national and regional events (conferences, workshops, webinars, etc.). Prepare communications plans and key messages ahead of events. Provide communications and media support during events. Document event results through newsworthy articles and other materials. Provide writing, editing, translating, and editorial assistance to researchers. Compile, edit, and distribute newsletters and update mailing lists. Compile media contacts for the region and add them to IWMI's global media lists, for targeted national, regional, global, and thematic outreach. Help increase IWMI's global email marketing subscribers (adding partners, workshop participants, and other stakeholders) for targeted mailings. Manage communications sub-contracts and service providers (for video production, photography, graphic design, or other communications-related work) related to the Initiatives. Coordinate with IWMI's Communications and Knowledge Management team in HQ for the engagement of consultants and provide guidance to ensure the timely delivery of quality outputs. EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE: Essential, Master's degree in mass communications, journalism, or any discipline relevant to IWMI's mandate, (e.g., in natural/physical sciences or social sciences). At least 08 years of relevant professional and applied experience. Experience in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of communications and knowledge management plans in multidisciplinary research for development programs. Experience in content writing and editing for all relevant media platforms. Experience in coordinating and overseeing service providers and ensuring delivery of work. Demonstrated success in working on international programs and in an international work environment. Experience in writing on scientific and development issues. Experience working in Southern Africa. Desirable, Additional degree in public relations, journalism, or mass communication or related subjects. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: Essential, Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Fluency in other languages, including those spoken in the Southern African region (e.g., Portuguese, French), is desirable. Excellent knowledge of Microsoft 365 and other knowledge management platforms. A demonstrated ability to use various communication channels, social media, and collaborative tools to communicate research for development studies to a broad range of stakeholders. Basic understanding and willingness to consider gender and inclusion in communication materials. Ability to work with a wide range of partners across the world to achieve joint objectives. Strong analytical mind, the ability to listen carefully, synthesize, and communicate persuasively. Innovative, positive attitudes and the ability to take independent initiative. Good organizational and planning abilities. Good interpersonal skills. Strategic communicator and public speaking skills. Pragmatic, proactive, passionate, strategic, and creative mindset. Knowledge of photo and video editing and use of requisite software. Desirable, Ability to write scripts and produce videos for social media and other promotional purposes. Skills in photo storytelling and graphic design. This is a nationally recruited position and only South African 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. This contract is coterminous with the project end date, 31 December 2025. However, based on the availability of funding and the requirements of other projects, there is a possibility of extension. 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 September 01, 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.
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