ABOUT THE COMPANY:

IITA is an award-winning, research-for-development (R4D) organization, providing solutions to hunger, poverty, and the degradation of natural resources in Africa. Since 1967, IITA has worked with international and national partners to we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is guided by an ambitious strategy–to lift 11.5 million people out of poverty and revitalize 7.5 million hectares of farmland–by 2020. As one of 15 research centers in the CGIAR, a global partnership for a food secure future, IITA is engaged in several CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs).

IITA has delivered more than 70% of the CGIAR’s impact in sub-Saharan Africa and remains committed to science-driven improvement of agriculture and related food value chains. Our R4D programs are focused on four crucial areas: Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement, Natural Resource Management, Social Science and Agribusiness, Plant Production and Plant Health and Nutrition and Food Technology. IITA’s R4D programs have attracted the best and brightest minds from all over the world. Thousands of scientists and professionals have been involved in IITA training and research programs and continue to benefit from the knowledge they have in turn passed on to others.

To help address poverty and the high number of unemployed young men and women in, IITA has initiated a Youth Agripreneurs program to create jobs by making agriculture and agribusiness appealing to the youth. The program is integrated in the Business Incubation Platform (BIP), the technology delivery arm of IITA, which serves as a model to stimulate product development and to provide opportunities for market expansion.

JOB SUMMARY

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture seeks suitable applicants for the positions below at the Institute’s Headquarters in Ibadan.

Position:    Communication Assistant

Contract:        3-year renewable contract

Location:  Ibadan

Closing Date: 16 August 2024

DUTIES: 

• Produce content for IITA communication channels, such as the IITA Web site, Radio IITA, IITA TV, print and online media platforms, with a focus on gender, social science, agribusiness, and IITA innovations.
• Develop and write impact stories/blogs/posts for the weekly institutional newsletter (Talking Drums).

• Assist the media team in planning and covering events, and reporting and writing stories.
• Provide support for gender, social science, and agribusiness using various media including newsletters, social media, radio and TV, and other online platforms.
• Backstop science communication to enhance learning and uptake of research-generated knowledge.
• Develop science stories/blog posts from journal articles.
• Conduct interviews with scientists on IITA innovations and research outputs.
• Support media outreach and campaigns on IITA innovations, gender, youth, and agribusiness.
• Promote IITA’s visibility through effective storytelling and advocacy.
• Perform any other job-related duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Requirements

QUALIFICATION:

BSc/HND in Communication, Journalism or related field with a minimum of three (3) years’ experience performing a similar role in a well-structured environment.

COMPETENCIES:

The ideal candidate must:

• Be experienced in simplifying technical and complex subject matter.
• Have storytelling ability.
• Have very good verbal and written skills.
• Have good interview skills, good interpersonal relationships.
• Have knowledge of media monitoring, graphic, and CMS software’s.
• Have basic photography skills.

Benefits

We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

REQUIRED EDUCATION: Bachelor Degree

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 60