Asia Communications Senior Associate

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS

About WorldFish

“WorldFish is a leading international research organization working to transform aquatic food systems to reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. It collaborates with international, regional, and national partners to co-develop and deliver scientific innovations, evidence for policy, and knowledge to enable equitable and inclusive impact for millions who depend on fish for their livelihoods. As a member of CGIAR, WorldFish contributes to building a food- and nutrition-secure future and restoring natural resources. Headquartered in Penang, Malaysia, with country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, WorldFish strives to create resilient and inclusive food systems for shared prosperity.

For more information, visit: www.worldfishcenter.org”

About Alliance

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. With novel partnerships, the Alliance generates evidence and mainstreams innovations to transform food systems and landscapes so that they sustain the planet, drive prosperity, and nourish people.

WorldFish and the Alliance are part of CGIAR, the world’s largest agricultural innovation network, whose mission is to “end hunger by 2030 through science to transform food, land and water systems under threat of climate change.”

About the Position

The Asia Communications Senior Associate oversees and implements strategic communication planning and coordinates internal and external communication for the region.

The Senior Associate will provide strategic communications support, fostering a collaborative environment, to researchers and the Regional Hub’s management team in communicating the Alliance’s accomplishments, ongoing research efforts, and impacts to a wide variety of audiences. The incumbent will work closely with the Regional Partnership Specialists to support the resource mobilization efforts in the Region.

Working closely with the three Communications sub teams (Global, Digital & Internal, and Publications, Brand & Graphic Design), the Senior Associate will deliver innovative, on-time, and high-quality communications products and content for research and support areas that will be disseminated through the Alliances platforms and digital channels.

The Senior Associate is the key focal point in establishing and managing external media relationships, primarily local and regional, to actively promote the Alliance’s broad message.

The successful candidate has key responsibilities in the following areas:

• Oversee and implement regional strategic communications planning, including identification of priority audiences/users, target outputs/outcomes, operational strategies/implementation mechanisms, and required resources, also as input to overall institutional planning;
• Coordinate digital, editorial and graphic design support in the region;
• Develop external communication products including stories, videos, podcasts, public awareness-raising materials, research briefs and reports, and capacity building tools;
• Manage contracts related to external service providers to ensure proper delivery of regional materials;
• Manage strategic media relations at the international, regional, and national levels to ensure high visibility for the Alliance’s work in Asia;
• Oversee and implement the development of communication tools in support of the resource mobilization initiatives in the Asia region working together with the Managing Director and Partnership Specialists;
• Coordinate the intra-institutional communications activities to support timely and regular information-sharing among members of the regional team, and with the Alliance’s global community;
• Manage the engagement of communication assistants, interns, and coordinators in the region;
• Participate in key CGIAR activities through relevant research initiatives and regional engagements.

Requirements

This job might be for you if you have the below skills and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, or related fields;
• Master’s degree in communications or related fields is a plus;
• Thematic knowledge of topics including agriculture, food systems, climate change, agrobiodiversity, nutrition, poverty and livelihoods, digital and gender inclusion, crop research and sustainable development;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English;
• Fluency in English is essential (oral and written);
• Working competency in other UN languages is a plus (oral and written)
• At least 5 years of experience in progressive communications, leading and deploying strategic plans and other communications deliverables;
• Prior experience working in an international organization, and in multiple time zones;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team with people in a multi-cultural and multidisciplinary environment, including external stakeholders;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Ability to provide a high level of service under pressure;
• Experience and ability to translate complex science into widely compelling and targeted communications stories;
• Flexibility and willingness to travel;
• Creative, autonomous, and solutions-oriented approach.

Benefits

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position and WorldFish offers a competitive remuneration package including comprehensive benefits (but not limited to) insurance coverage for staff and eligible dependents, employer provident fund contribution, paid leave, and others. The duration of the contract will initially be for a one-year period with possibility for extension, depending on funding and performance.

Your application must include:

• A copy of your curriculum vitae.
• A cover letter which addresses key requirements stated above; and
• Contact information of three professional referees who may be contacted if you are short-listed for the position.

To be considered, applications must be submitted by no later than 24:00 (MYT), 17 August 2024.

Location: The post holder will be based in Penang, Malaysia. This position will involve international travel.

The screening will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applicants for WorldFish positions, we appreciate all interest, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Our Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

WorldFish has seven offices across Asia, Africa and the Pacific, with more than 400 staff and 27 nationalities who contribute to a dynamic multicultural work environment.

WorldFish is committed to promoting a work environment where diversity and inclusion is valued and we seek to have gender balance in the organization. We aim to also seek balance across other diversity dimensions.

People in WorldFish are treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnicity/race, national or social origin, disability, religion, political affiliation, age, family size, marital status or any other form of personal identity.

We are an equal opportunities employer and strongly encourage qualified women and men from developing nations to apply.