Communications Assistant
The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) – a member of the CGIAR Consortium (www.cgiar.org) – develops technologies, innovative methods, and new knowledge that better enable farmers, especially smallholders, to make agriculture competitive and profitable as well as sustainable and resilient. CIAT conducts research for development in tropical regions of Latin America, Africa, and Asia (www.ciat.cgiar.org).
HarvestPlus (www.harvestplus.org) leads a global effort to improve nutrition and public health by developing and disseminating staple food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals. We work with public and private sector partners in more than 40 countries. We use a novel process called bio-fortification, based on conventional plant breeding, to achieve higher levels of micronutrients in high-yielding, high-profit varieties of key staple foods. HarvestPlus is part of the CGIAR Research Program for Nutrition and Health (A4NH). CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centers in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. HarvestPlus is a joint venture between two CGIAR Centers, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) based in Cali, Colombia and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) based in Washington, D.C. Both Institutions are committed to reduce hunger and poverty around the world through their research activities.
The Position:
CIAT, on behalf of HarvestPlus Program is seeking to recruit a Communications Assistant who will work under the direct supervision of the Demand Creation Officer, with overall guidance from the Country Manager. The person will be responsible for implementing the HarvestPlus Zimbabwe communications strategy with the overall objective of promoting the widespread and sustained adoption and utilization of biofortified crops (vitamin A maize, iron beans and vitamin A sweet potatoes), as well as generate demand in the market. He/she will package and communicate information about the program and its activities to different key stakeholders. The position will be based in Harare but must be prepared to travel extensively to project districts outside Harare.
Main duties and responsibilities include:
Communication and Event Support:
Support the development and packaging of print/web/audiovisual/multimedia materials in a variety of formats for donors, policy makers, farmers, consumers, processors and marketers.
Monitor stories in the print and electronic media that cite HarvestPlus activities.
Provide communications support and documentation for all project activities.
Co-facilitate the dissemination of farmer-friendly information on HarvestPlus project activities through features writing, press releases, field days, radio and television programs.
Assist in producing unique photography and video coverage for HarvestPlus events/occasions.
Support the production of training videos, conducting informative interviews and testimonials aimed at promoting HarvestPlus interventions in Zimbabwe.
Creative Design:
Develop and design concepts, graphics and layouts for HarvestPlus promotional materials (brochures, pamphlets, flyers, banners, etc) in liaison with the Demand Creation Officer
Maintain brand consistency throughout all HarvestPlus communication materials.
Generate creative ideas and develop new design concepts, graphics and layouts.
Review all publications and design materials for errors before printing.
International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
Recruiting Communications Assistant
Work with all HarvestPlus stakeholders and partners to achieve product branding and packaging standards.
Social Media and Website management:
Create and upload engaging social media content using graphics and illustrations to increase awareness and sensitization of stakeholders.
Manage all exclusive photographs and video content for HarvestPlus social media platforms.
Monitor all social media conversations, mentions, and other activities and provide feedback to questions and comments.
Collect and share feedback from social media channels with HarvestPlus staff and relevant stakeholders.
Assist in updating information on the HarvestPlus website.
Perform all other related duties that may be assigned by the supervisor.
The candidate shall have the following competencies, skills and experience:
Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field with minimum of three (3) years’ experience performing same role.
Expert use of graphic design software – Adobe Suite, CorelDraw etc; Microsoft Office Applications – Word, PowerPoint, Outlook applications; Cloud data storage tools – Google drive, DropBox, OneDrive.
Adept at using major social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Good skills in writing, editing and proof-reading, concept and brand creation.
High degree of motivation, initiative, independence, reliability, adaptability, integrity, and professional maturity.
Good command of English – possess excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, presentation, client management, and social skills.
Valid driver’s license acquired no less than four years ago.
Ability to travel extensively within the project target areas.
Ability to multi-task and work under pressure.
Excellent team player with the ability to work with minimum supervision.
Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision, but also participate as a team member in accomplishment of duties.
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
Strong interpersonal skills, fluent in English and good in Shona/Ndebele with strong writing skills
Willingness to travel extensively
Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
Commitment to CIAT’s mission and core values
Terms of employment:
The position is nationally recruited and based at the CIAT Offices in Harare, Zimbabwe. The contract will be for a one-year period, subject to probation period of three (3) months, renewable depending on performance and availability of resources. CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits; we believe that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence. CIAT is an equal opportunity employer, and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.
How to apply:
Applicants are invited to visit http://ciat.cgiar.org/ciat-jobs to get full details of the position and to submit their applications, clearly indicating position applied for as HR-2209 Communication Assistant .Applications should be saved as one document using the candidate’s lastname, first name for ease of sorting.
CIAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). CIAT also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.
Applications closing date: 23rd November 2018
Please note that email applications will not be considered.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted
Expert use of graphic design software – Adobe Suite, CorelDraw etc; Microsoft Office Applications – Word, PowerPoint, Outlook applications; Cloud data storage tools – Google drive, DropBox, OneDrive.
Adept at using major social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Good skills in writing, editing and proof-reading, concept and brand creation.
High degree of motivation, initiative, independence, reliability, adaptability, integrity, and professional maturity.
Good command of English – possess excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, presentation, client management, and social skills.
Valid driver’s license acquired no less than four years ago.
Ability to travel extensively within the project target areas.
Ability to multi-task and work under pressure.
Excellent team player with the ability to work with minimum supervision.
Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision, but also participate as a team member in accomplishment of duties.
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
Strong interpersonal skills, fluent in English and good in Shona/Ndebele with strong writing skills
Willingness to travel extensively
Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
Commitment to CIAT’s mission and core values
Terms of employment:
The position is nationally recruited and based at the CIAT Offices in Harare, Zimbabwe. The contract will be for a one-year period, subject to probation period of three (3) months, renewable depending on performance and availability of resources. CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits; we believe that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence. CIAT is an equal opportunity employer, and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.
How to apply:
Applicants are invited to visit http://ciat.cgiar.org/ciat-jobs to get full details of the position and to submit their applications, clearly indicating position applied for as HR-2209 Communication Assistant .Applications should be saved as one document using the candidate’s lastname, first name for ease of sorting.
CIAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). CIAT also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.
Applications closing date: 23rd November 2018
Please note that email applications will not be considered.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted
Job Summary
Location
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Communications