Job Specifications
Location: While Nairobi, Kenya is the preferred duty station for this role, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) or Montpellier (France) may also be considered.
Date Published: 18 March 2026
Closing Date for Applications: 9 April at 16:00 CEST.
About CGIAR
CGIAR has an ambitious agenda to deliver science and innovation and advance the transformation of food, land, and water systems to deliver diverse, healthy, safe, sufficient, and affordable diets, and ensure improved livelihoods and greater social equality. CGIAR operates as a matrix with each Center having its own governance and leadership structure operating alongside the integrated governance and leadership arrangements of CGIAR as a whole.
About The Position
Reporting to the Donor Relations & Business Development Director, the Practice Lead Communications is responsible for leading CGIAR's global communications strategy, which includes building CGIAR's strategic narrative and brand awareness. The role will be responsible for shaping a clear, credible, and compelling story that works across countries, cultures and stakeholder groups.
The role will deliver events, communication campaigns, and system-level communications to advance institutional priorities and build trust, visibility and influence to advance mission and impact. Working collaboratively across CGIAR Centers and with external stakeholders, the role ensures coherent, high-quality external engagement that effectively translates organizational priorities into meaningful outcomes.
The Practice Lead connects strategy to execution across multiple communications channels and platforms through influence, coordination, and sound judgment within a complex, multi-institutional partnership. The incumbent also plays a key role in strengthening System Organization's internal communications, ensuring staff are well-informed, aligned, and engaged around internal and CGIAR-wide priorities and operational milestones.
Duties And Responsibilities
Purpose
Lead system‑level communications planning across Centers, Initiatives/Programs, and corporate functions to steward and strengthen the CGIAR brand, build coherence, and ensure alignment with organizational priorities
Direct the design and implementation of internal communications approaches that enhance alignment, clarity, and change management across CGIAR
Provide strategic guidance on prioritizing engagements with the greatest institutional impact and ensure coherent positioning across key external moments
Oversee the integration and effective use of enterprise communications technologies (such as but not limited to CMS, DAM, CRM, event management tools) to enable secure, seamless global communication experiences
Drive innovation in CGIAR's communication practice by identifying and piloting emerging technologies—including AI‑driven content and advanced event tech—to strengthen CGIAR's visibility and influence in development communications
Engagement
Advise and support senior leadership on strategic public communications and high‑level external engagements, ensuring clear and coordinated stakeholder messaging for major systemwide events and campaigns
Align communications and engagement activities—including global campaigns, events, and outreach—with resource mobilization priorities and institutional objectives
Strengthen internal leadership communications related to organizational priorities, change initiatives, and system‑wide milestones
Help convening and coordinating communications leads across Centers to drive consistent messaging, aligned branding, and coherent use of shared digital tools
Lead the development, evolution, and stewardship of CGIAR's institutional brand and narrative, ensuring its effective application across the system
Delivery
Oversee CGIAR's participation in major global forums, donor and partner engagements, and CGIAR‑hosted convenings, ensuring strategic alignment, compelling narratives, and rigorous delivery, including responsibility for budget planning and oversight
Lead the planning and execution of high‑impact, multichannel campaigns that advance CGIAR's positioning, advocacy priorities, and global visibility
Lead the translation of complex scientific outputs into clear, compelling narratives for policy, advocacy, and global moments, ensuring accurate and impactful messaging
Monitor and enhance digital engagement, media partnerships, and communication performance to strengthen reach, influence, and continuous learning
Provide leadership for the development, performance, and growth of a multidisciplinary communications team, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Identify, manage, and escalate strategic communication risks, ensuring readiness through stewardship of the system‑wide crisis communications protocol and support to the Rapid Response team
Strengthen internal information flows and engagement to promote shared understanding and collaboration across CGIAR
Contribute to the develo
About the Company
CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR science is dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services. Its research is carried out by 15 CGIAR centers in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector. www.cgiar.org
Vision: A world free of poverty, hunger and environmental degradati...
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