Head of Global Outreach and Engagement

Job Description

Overview

The Head of Global Outreach and Engagement plays a key role in CIFOR-ICRAF´s ambitious global outreach and engagement activities and is a key contributor to one of the world’s leading science communications programs. The lead reports to the Director, Communication, Outreach and Engagement and works across the organization with senior management and researchers and with high level donors and partners worldwide. They are responsible for coordinating a team of editors, events and media relations professionals within the Communications, Outreach and Engagement team.

Duties and responsibilities

• Develop, implement and report on the global outreach and engagement components of the global communications strategy.
• Provide strategic executive and senior-level communications coordination for public-facing events including planning and implementation messaging, speech writing, presentations, traditional and social media coverage and interactions with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure superior results with maximum reach.
• Oversee strategic coordination of CIFOR-ICRAF presence for major events, managing the events team and ensuring smooth event planning and implementation and maximising external visibility.
• Oversee the social media program ensuring strategic planning, implementation and results.
• Oversee media relations, including development and implementation of a high impact media relations strategy, establishing strong media relations, handling media enquiries and reporting on results.
• Oversee strategic email marketing campaigns organization wide.
• Oversee the film and photo program, including planning and implementation.
• Responsible for CIFOR-ICRAF’s website and news sites, leading editorial strategy and overseeing a team of editors and writers and ensuring timely quality output.
• Manage the Communications, Outreach and Engagement budget and ensure deliveries are met on time, within budget and high quality.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in international relations, communications, journalism, or related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of professional work experience in a fast-paced, dynamic communications environment, preferably at the international level and with a science focus.
• Well-versed in using different communications tools and techniques, with a clear focus on targeting stakeholders effectively and achieving measurable impact.
• A strong writer, preferably with journalism experience, who can develop compelling content for a wide variety of need.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in international relations, communications, journalism, or related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of professional work experience in a fast-paced, dynamic communications environment, preferably at the international level and with a science focus.
• Well-versed in using different communications tools and techniques, with a clear focus on targeting stakeholders effectively and achieving measurable impact.
• A strong writer, preferably with journalism experience, who can develop compelling content for a wide variety of needs.
• Track record in producing and overseeing the production of exceptional content.
• Sound understanding of how traditional media and social media work and what it takes to pitch content successfully.
• Experience in planning, implementing and overseeing complex communication activities.
• Experience in monitoring progress and evaluating impact of communication activities.
• Experience in working for a research facility or within the development sector is an advantage
• Fluency in English at a native level is essential; other languages (esp. French, Spanish, Indonesian) an advantage.

Terms and conditions

• This is a Globally Recruited Staff (GRS) position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in USD, commensurate with skills and experience.
• The appointment will be for 1 (one) year, inclusive of a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
• The duty station will be in Kenya, Nairobi or Bogor, Indonesia.

Application process

The application deadline is 15 Aug 2025

We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.