The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is seeking to recruit a Team Leader, Strategic Communications and Outreach, to lead its external communications, outreach, and knowledge dissemination activities. This pivotal role sits at the core of ILRI’s mission to improve the lives of people in low- and middle-income countries through livestock science, contributing to equitable, resilient, and sustainable food systems.
The successful candidate will play a key role in translating ILRI’s world-class livestock research into compelling narratives that inform policy, attract investment, and influence positive change in agricultural and food systems worldwide.
ILRI, a member of the CGIAR consortium of research centers, is dedicated to advancing animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, ILRI operates through regional and country offices across East, South, and Southeast Asia, as well as in Central, East, Southern, and West Africa. With a focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and science-based solutions, ILRI’s work is central to the transformation of food systems that deliver both nutritional and environmental benefits.
This position offers a unique opportunity for a communication professional to lead a dynamic team in promoting evidence-based insights that help shape the global discourse around livestock, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
Position Overview
The Team Leader, Strategic Communications and Outreach, will report to the Head of Communications, Advocacy, and Knowledge Management (CAKM). The incumbent will be responsible for designing and implementing ILRI’s strategic communications framework, driving audience-centered content development, and managing ILRI’s reputation and visibility through various communication channels.
This role demands a highly strategic, innovative, and organized professional who thrives in a fast-paced research and policy environment. The Team Leader will oversee a team of communication specialists, writers, and multimedia producers, ensuring that ILRI’s communications align with its broader institutional objectives of policy influence, resource mobilization, and impact delivery.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Content Development, Outreach, and Dissemination
- Lead the transition of ILRI’s communication approach from traditional dissemination to an audience-driven and impact-oriented model that utilizes multiple media formats to reach diverse stakeholders.
- Support CAKM leadership in the coordination and management of communication workflows, ensuring timely execution of strategic plans and adherence to organizational standards.
- Oversee ILRI’s social media strategy, ensuring it is purposeful, targeted, and yields measurable engagement results across platforms.
- Establish and maintain systems and standards for effective communication, integrating data-driven monitoring and analytics to measure and enhance communication impact.
- Align ILRI’s communication outputs with policy influence, advocacy, and resource mobilization priorities, ensuring coherence and consistency in messaging.
- Collaborate with other ILRI departments to strengthen branding, marketing, and design initiatives that reinforce institutional identity and visibility.
2. Thought Leadership and Institutional Visibility
- Develop and oversee strategic messaging and communication plans for ILRI’s leadership team and research programs to ensure clarity and consistency across all external communications.
- Position ILRI’s leadership, scientists, and research outputs as authoritative voices in livestock, food systems, and sustainable development debates through targeted thought leadership initiatives.
- Manage ILRI’s media relations, including the development of a proactive media engagement strategy, cultivating relationships with local and international journalists, handling media inquiries, and reporting on media engagement outcomes.
- Lead high-impact campaigns and storytelling initiatives that promote ILRI’s contributions to global discussions on climate action, food security, and agricultural innovation.
- Supervise the production of high-quality communication products such as articles, feature stories, digital content, videos, infographics, and documentaries that effectively convey ILRI’s impact and research relevance.
3. Communication Management and Oversight
- Oversee ILRI’s web and news platforms, ensuring that editorial content is of high quality, updated regularly, and reflects the organization’s strategic priorities.
- Develop and implement editorial strategies to ensure cohesive and timely publication of research updates, institutional announcements, and external communications materials.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication efforts using defined performance metrics and feedback mechanisms, applying insights to enhance strategy and execution.
- Mobilize internal and external resources to support communication projects and campaigns, identifying funding opportunities and partnerships that strengthen communication capacities.
- Mentor and supervise communication officers, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence in storytelling and strategic dissemination.
- Facilitate collaboration across CAKM units, ensuring integration between communication, advocacy, and knowledge management functions to optimize institutional influence.
Required Knowledge and Experience
- Demonstrated expertise in managing teams and leading communication change initiatives within complex organizations.
- Proven ability to translate scientific research into engaging and accessible narratives tailored for diverse audiences, including policymakers, investors, and development practitioners.
- Strong background in science communication, journalism, or public affairs, with proficiency in multi-platform storytelling.
- Experience in developing and executing comprehensive outreach and dissemination strategies using traditional and digital media channels, including social media, publications, documentaries, and podcasts.
- Track record in project management, ensuring accountability, role clarity, and alignment between communication initiatives and institutional priorities.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines.
- Deep understanding of communication impact measurement, including the use of data analytics and monitoring tools to assess outcomes.
- Experience working in a research, agriculture, or development context is an advantage.
Personal Attributes
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a diverse team.
- High level of flexibility and adaptability when working with complex and evolving priorities.
- Excellent communication and negotiation abilities, fostering productive partnerships within and outside the organization.
- Sound judgment and emotional intelligence, with the ability to listen, empathize, and collaborate effectively with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.
- High degree of accountability and commitment to delivering quality outcomes aligned with ILRI’s mission.
- Resilience in managing multiple demands in a fast-paced professional environment.
Reporting and Supervision
The Team Leader, Strategic Communications and Outreach, will report directly to the Head of Communications, Advocacy, and Knowledge Management (CAKM). The role involves close collaboration with ILRI’s leadership team, research scientists, and external partners to ensure the coherent delivery of institutional communication objectives.
Post Location
The position is based at ILRI’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
Terms of Appointment
This position is graded at job level HG 18 and is open to both national and international applicants. The appointment will be on a three-year contract, renewable based on satisfactory performance and availability of funding.
ILRI offers a competitive international remuneration and benefits package, which includes pension, medical insurance, life insurance, and allowances covering education, housing, security, relocation, and home leave.
Application Procedure
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and a detailed curriculum vitae clearly outlining their interest in the position, what they can contribute to the role, and the contact details (telephone and email) of three referees who are familiar with their professional experience and qualifications.
Applications should be addressed to the Head of People and Culture and submitted through ILRI’s online 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 indicated on the subject line of the cover letter.
ILRI does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, processing, or training. Applicants are strongly advised to disregard any solicitation for payment in connection with this recruitment.
ILRI is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of gender, nationality, or background.
For more information about ILRI and its ongoing work in livestock research and development, visit www.ilri.org.
