Are you passionate about using the power of communication to influence sustainable development?
Do you thrive at the intersection of science, storytelling, and impact?

Join the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)—a global leader in livestock research for development—as we seek a Team Leader, Strategic Communications and Outreach to help shape the future of sustainable food systems.

We’re looking for a dynamic, creative, and strategic communicator to lead ILRI’s external communications and outreach efforts to translate world-class livestock science into compelling narratives that inform policy, attract investment, and drive change.

Reporting to the Head of Communications, Advocacy and Knowledge Management (CAKM), this role works closely with ILRI’s leadership, scientists, and partners to move ILRI toward an audience-driven, impact-focused approach to communications.

You’ll lead a team of writers, multimedia producers, and digital specialists; set communication standards; and drive ILRI’s content and branding strategy across traditional, digital, and social media platforms.

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve people’s lives in low- and middle-income countries through livestock science that contributes to equitable and resilient livestock systems to deliver food systems transformation with climate and environmental benefits. It is one of 15 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org

Key Responsibilities

Strategic content development, outreach and dissemination

• Lead ILRI’s shift to audience-driven, impact-oriented communication which works with multiple media
• Support CAKM leadership in managing communication workflows and strategy execution.
• Oversee the social media ensuring strategic planning, implementation and results.
• Set systems and standards for effective, strategic communication, outreach and dissemination using of data driven monitoring to drive decisions.
• Align ILRI’s communication with policy, advocacy, and resource mobilization goals.
• Support wider ILRI marketing, branding and design efforts

Thought leadership

• Oversee messaging and communication plans for ILRI’s leadership and research themes.
• Strengthen ILRI’s reputation by positioning ILRI leaders and researchers as authoritative voices in sustainable livestock research.
• 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.
• Lead campaigns that promote ILRI’s role in food systems, climate, and policy discussions.
• Oversee the production of high-quality communication outputs (articles, multimedia, digital content).

Communication management and oversight

• Responsible for ILRIs website and news sites, leading editorial strategy and overseeing a team and ensuring timely quality output, and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of communication efforts for continuous improvement.
• Mobilize resources (internally and externally) to support communication initiatives.
• Mentor communication officers to enhance storytelling, messaging, and strategic dissemination.
• Link and support other CAKM areas

Qualifications

• 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
• Fluency in English at a native level is essential; other languages (esp. French) an advantage
• Experience in working for a research, agriculture or within the development sector is an advantage.

Knowledge and experience

• Proven experience in managing teams and driving change and innovation in communications

• Expertise in science communication, with the ability to translate research into engaging, high impact narratives. Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills for diverse audiences.
• Well-versed in using different communication, multi-media approaches and techniques, with a clear focus on targeting stakeholders effectively and achieving measurable impact.
• Proven experience in developing and monitoring impactful and targeted outreach and dissemination strategies using a range of channels (social media, traditional media, documentaries, etc.)
• Project management skills, delegating responsibilities effectively, ensuring clear roles and accountability and aligning communication initiatives with institutional priorities.
• Commitment to excellence, ensuring high quality outputs under tight deadlines.

Personal attributes

• Ability to deal well with complexity and ambiguity, including excellent flexibility and adaptability.
• A genuine team-player with strong listening, influencing and negotiating skills.
• Excellent emotional intelligence, including listening and empathy, and the ability to develop highly collaborative business partnering relationships.
• Maintains high performance and demonstrates resilience when operating in a fast-paced professional service environment.
• Demonstrates strong sense of delivery – ensuring things get done to a high standard and who holds themselves and their team accountable

Post location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Terms of Appointment: This position is at job level HG 18, and it is open to both national and international applicants. The position is a three (3) year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive international salary and benefits package which includes pension, medical insurance, life insurance and allowances for: education, housing, security, relocation, and home leave.

Applications: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the role, and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about their professional qualifications and work experience. The applications will be addressed to the Head of People and Culture and submitted through our recruitment portal by clicking on "Apply Now" on or before 8 November 2025.

The position title and reference number: REF: CAKM/2024/2025 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.

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