Communication Specialist

IITA is an international non-profit research-for-development (R4D) organization created in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported primarily by the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Our R4D is anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa. We develop agricultural solutions with our partners to tackle hunger and poverty by reducing producer and consumer risks, enhancing crop quality and productivity, and generating wealth from agriculture. We have more than 100 internationally recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations across Africa.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is seeking a Communication Specialist who will provide effective and efficient communication backstopping for the IITA project: Yam Improvement for Income and Food Security in West Africa (YIIFSWA). The Communication Specialist is a locally hired staff who will work closely with Objective Leaders (specialists in agronomy, plant health, plant breeding, postharvest technology, and social sciences) and national and international partners to provide communication support, document project activities, and coordinate communication and extension activities, and project media events. The Communication Specialist will be based in IITA headquarters in Ibadan and work with the Communication Office staff in performing his/her duties. S/he will take functional guidance from, and report to the Head of Communication in IITA and the YIIFSWA Project Manager.

Duties

Successful candidate will:

• Develop and implement a detailed communication strategy for the YIIFSWA project
• Facilitate the dissemination of farmer-friendly information on YIIFSWA project activities through features writing, press releases, field days, radio programs, and television
• Write, edit, and produce various communication materials, including brochures, flyers, posters, articles, news stories, and technical reports
• Develop and package print/web/audiovisual/multimedia materials in a variety of formats for donors, traders, policymakers, and farmers
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with the media including national, regional, and international newspapers, magazines, radio, and television; and mobilize them for project public awareness (PA) events
• Monitor stories, citing the YIIFSWA project
• Maintain the YIIFSWA project website
• Facilitate and coordinate communication among scientists, extension services, and value chain actors during project PA events, such as farmers’ days, crop variety release programs, etc.
• Provide editorial and communication support, and documentation for any project activity
• Perform any other assigned duties.

Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor or Master’s (preferred) degree in communication, Mass Communication, Public Relations, Extension, or Journalism from a recognized University.
• At least 5 years relevant working experience in communicating agricultural research and science to lay audiences. Working experience in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams and environments desirable.
• Candidate must be very good in producing multimedia communication materials, including radio and TV programs.
• Proficiency in the use of computers, database management software, Internet-based tools and other electronic communication tools is required.
• Comprehensive knowledge of production and design of agriculture-based information, education/extension, and communication (IEC) materials using various media and channels, including online platforms
• Good understanding and knowledge of online social media tools (i.e., Web 2.0 platforms, blog sites, etc.) and writing for the Web.
• Good contacts with media in West Africa would be an asset. Also knowledge of basic layout and graphics design skills are essential.
• An excellent communication skill in English language is compulsory. Working knowledge of French and any other major West African languages would be added advantage. The candidates must also possess excellent interpersonal, writing and oral communication skills.

Remuneration:

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

Method of application:

Interested applicants should forward their applications with a detailed curriculum vitae, the names and addresses of three professional referees (including telephone, fax and e-mail addresses, if available), evidence of current remuneration package and photocopies of credentials, to the Personnel Manager, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/nrs-online-application. Please note that application letters not accompanied with evidence of current remuneration and age will not be treated. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.