Associate Officer, Communication & Knowledge Management Coordination (part-time, 50%), CGIAR In[...]

Associate Officer, Communication & Knowledge Management Coordination (part-time, 50%), CGIAR Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES)

From Bioversity HR

Published on 16.12.24

The Organization

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future: https://alliancebioversityciat.org/

CGIAR’s Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES) is based in Rome, Italy and hosted by the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).

IAES provides operational support as the secretariat for the Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC) and the Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA), and implements CGIAR’s multi-year, independent evaluation plan as approved by the CGIAR’s governing body, the System Council. More information about IAES is available at https://iaes.cgiar.org/

On behalf of IAES, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT is recruiting an Associate officer to support coordination of IAES communication and knowledge management activities (50%, part-time assignment).

About the position

Based in Rome, Italy, the Associate Officer will implement, and support others to implement communication and knowledge management activities in line with three mandates IAES supports. The Associate Officer will plan and coordinate inputs to common IAES channels to ensure that activities are executed in a complementary manner. The position reports to the Senior Manager, Operations & Events, and substantially supports the IAES Director to implement agreements among the Director, ISDC and SPIA chairs towards a coherent and compelling engagement and communications approach aligned with three mandate areas.

Responsibilities

The work of the Associate Officer will be structured around two main areas: (1) communication and knowledge management with a focus on overarching IAES content and digital channels, based on a good understanding of the work of all IAES functions to support knowledge sharing: and (2) coordination in terms of working with counterparts per three IAES functions towards coherent communication planning, implementation and monitoring and high quality standards. The Associate Officer will have the following specific responsibilities:

Communication and Knowledge Management

• Stay familiar with the work of the three functions to maintain a solid understanding of the overall IAES operating context and the complementarity of different workstreams.
• Serve as contact person for overarching IAES communication and provide support to the Director in preparing materials intended for internal and external stakeholders and partners.
• Collaboratively plan content calendar and monitor its implementation.
• Regularly review content on dedicated advisory and evaluation page of CGIAR, ensuring it is up to date and accurate, and provide key documents for posting on a timely basis.
• Liaise with staff of CGIAR System Organization on IAES communication needs and campaigns.
• Coordinate and consolidate inputs across IAES functions for governance documents.
• Manage IAES website (incl. serve as a point of contact with web-hosting vendor) and social media accounts and propose enhancements to digital platforms.
• Coordinate, edit and issue periodic IAES newsletters and manage the mailing list.
• Maintain IAES style guide and templates for key communication products. At strategic periods, these may be periodically refreshed.
• Develop web analytics for quarterly reporting and assist in strategic input using data; create annual report web/social analytics.

Coordination

• Assist with audience needs mapping across IAES to ensure tailored communication efforts.
• Co-design communication/knowledge management plans with the Director and counterparts in IAES functions in line with overall strategy (steer the “IAES communications community”).
• Proactively maintain planning tools to ensure strategic alignment and a coordinated approach for content and upcoming events across the teams.
• Identify areas of priority for knowledge sharing in collaboration with the IAES Director and functional counterparts.
• Support maintenance of resources that are shared across functions and their onboarding using IAES style guide, including: i) contracts with strategic communication vendors/experts; and ii) roster of external copy-editors contracted by functions for specific projects (e.g., blogs, website content, etc.).
• Spearhead novel uses of technology to increase the efficiency and sophistication of IAES materials (in design, editing, etc.).
• Assist monitoring and reporting on effectiveness of communication and knowledge management initiatives, as part of IAES performance and risk management practices.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Media, English, International Development or a related field, followed by an additional relevant professional qualification, or a Master’s degree, is required.
• Previous experience (preferably 3-5 years) in planning, implementing, and evaluating communications and/or knowledge management activities is required.
• Professional experience working with international/regional organizations or in an international context with multi-stakeholder coordination is desirable.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required. Working proficiency (spoken and written) in Spanish or French is an asset.
• Ability to facilitate inclusive and participative communication activities, for global audience.
• Knowledge of GDPR is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to write quickly, clearly and compellingly is required, and working experience efficiently copy-editing and proofreading the work of others is an asset. A timed writing and editing test will be administered as part of the application process.
• Proficient computer skills and in-depth knowledge of relevant software such as MS Office suite (Including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, SharePoint), Canva, and Google analytics are required. Experience in the ethical and responsible use of generative AI is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with a broad range of stakeholders and partners from various cultural and educational backgrounds and levels of seniority, applying sensitivity, discretion, and tact is required.

Terms of employment

This is a locally recruited, part-time (50%) position based in Rome, Italy at the Alliance Headquarters. All benefits are denominated and paid in Euro. The salary is level 8, on a scale of 14 levels, with level 14 being the highest. The salary range starts from Euro 50,030 per annum, to be pro-rated at part-time 50%. The Alliance offers an attractive remuneration package that includes a competitive salary, leave provisions, medical and life insurance, and non-contributory retirement plan. The contract will be for a period of 3 years, subject to a probationary period of 6 months, and is renewable based on performance and availability of funds.

Please note that eligible applicants must have the legal status to live and work in Italy:

• Be Italian nationals holding a valid passport or identity card.
• Or be EU citizens holding a valid passport or identity card and confirmation of registration from the Registrar’s Office (Anagrafe)

The position is based in Rome, Italy but offers a hybrid work model combining office presence with work-from-home days.

Applications

Please apply online through the website https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers no later than 19 January 2025, attaching a letter of application with names and email addresses of at least three referees, and a curriculum vitae, both in English. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing date for applications: 19 January 2025

We invite you to learn more about the Alliance at: