Team leader, Strategic Communications and outreach
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Full-time
- Communications and Knowledge Management
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.
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
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.
