The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.
CIFOR-ICRAF is looking for a
Advocacy and Campaign Coordinator
Overview
The Advocacy & Campaigns Coordinator will translate knowledge into influence – bridging research and advocacy to design narratives, campaigns, and partnerships that drive policy, finance, and investment shifts. The role will lead the development of high-impact advocacy outputs and events, turning project evidence into clear messages for decision-makers. Working on sustainable drylands, the coordinator will develop messaging for policymakers, investors, private sector actors, humanitarian and development agencies, and philanthropy. This is a visible, hands-on role, responsible for shaping flagship knowledge products, designing interactive digital content, and facilitating dialogues and campaigns. The position sits within CIFOR-ICRAF’s Communications, Outreach & Engagement team, while working closely with project experts and managers to ensure advocacy is tightly connected to evidence and lessons from the field.
Duties and responsibilities
1. Program management:
· Responsible for developing and overseeing multi-regional advocacy strategies.
· Direct management of advocacy staff and oversight of campaign budgets.
· Requires leadership in innovation of advocacy models and frameworks adopted across the organization.
· Increase stakeholder engagement to include senior leadership, board members, and high-level external partners.
· Assigns accountability for organizational reputation and strategic risk management in advocacy.
· Deliver measurable impact on strategic objectives, funding, and partnerships.
2. Influential Messaging & Knowledge Products:
· Lead design and drafting of key advocacy messages and briefs drawn from project outputs.
· Work with researchers and thematic experts to translate evidence into concise, influential messages for target audiences.
· Ensure close collaboration with project scientists and thematic leads to align evidence with advocacy priorities.
3. Narrative Development & Storytelling:
· Identify narrative hooks and frames that make evidence resonate with investors, policymakers, or philanthropies.
· Design and oversee content production for presentations, speeches, public announcements and statements.
· Design and oversee interactive digital content (story maps, explainers, infographics, data visualisations) that make evidence engaging and accessible.
· Coordinate rollout across channels and media, ensuring consistency of messages and amplification by partners.
· Ensure objectives are integrated and supportive of CIFOR-ICRAF’s communications and organizational strategy.
4. Campaigns & Targeted Engagement:
· Develop and implement advocacy roadmaps and campaign strategies aligned with high-level policy moments (COPs, Global Gateway, donor summits, humanitarian forums).
· Map and engage unusual allies and influencers across sectors to co-design advocacy agendas and expand influence.
· Lead planning, design, and delivery of policy dialogues, round-tables, and campaign events.
· Strengthen advocacy coalitions and ensure events generate clear outputs and partner ownership.
· Provide regular reporting and intelligence on activities and results
5. Tracking & Adaptive Learning:
· Set clear indicators to track and monitor advocacy outcomes and uptake.
· Collaborate with the M&E Officer and Quality 4 Impact Team to support outcome assessment and impact story development.
· Track media mentions, social engagement, policy references, partner amplifications and early indicators of shifts in sentiment, motivation, or perception.
· Facilitate learning sessions with CIFOR-ICRAF staff and partners to reflect on campaign effectiveness and share best practices in agenda shaping.
· Develop strategies to embed CIFOR-ICRAF influence into long-term policy processes and track influence over time beyond single campaigns.
Requirements
Minimum Academic and Professional Qualifications
· Advanced degree in international development, communications, environmental policy, or related field.
· Minimum 7 years of experience in advocacy, campaigns, or strategic communications at international level.
Skills and competencies
· Proven track record in building partnerships and delivering campaigns
· Proven ability to work across continents, navigating complex stakeholder ecosystems (donors, UN agencies, DFIs, governments, civil society, private sector).
· Creative and adaptive, with experience in digital storytelling and innovative formats.
· Excellent writing, facilitation, and presentation skills.
· Proficiency in additional languages (French, Spanish, Swahili, Portuguese) are highly desirable.
Education, knowledge and experience
•Advanced degree in international development, communications, environmental policy, or related field.
•Minimum 7 years of experience in advocacy, campaigns, or strategic communications at international level.
Terms and conditions
•This is a Globally Recruited Position (GRS). CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience.
•The initial appointment will be for two (2) years, with a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
•The duty station will be in Nairobi, Kenya CIFOR-ICRAF Offices.
Application process
The application deadline is 09 Dec 2025
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.
