Communications Manager

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center, is seeking a creative and multi-skilled candidate to join its global headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as a Communications Manager.

This is an internationally recruited position; therefore, individuals with relevant abilities from diverse locations around the world are encouraged to apply.

The Communications Manager will co-lead the implementation of IWMI’s communications strategy, in support of IWMI’s global strategies.

The successful candidate will be part of the Communications & Knowledge Management team, at IWMI’s global headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka. They will work closely with the Global Communications Lead for Water Systems (Head of Communications & Knowledge Management).

They will lead and supervise the Communications team, currently consisting of seven people: two Senior Communications Specialists, a Multimedia Specialist, a Social Media Officer, and three interns. Under the guidance of Communications Manager, the team will manage content and events. They will coordinate the production of relevant communications tactics, ensuring guidelines are followed and that communications products are audience-led and strategic.

The incumbent will also collaborate with researchers to plan strategic communications and increase the impact of IWMI’s work and projects, regionally and globally. They will pay attention to trends and opportunities to raise IWMI’s profile.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management and leadership

• Lead the Communications team, ensuring strategic alignment and synergies.
• Supervise team members, encouraging their growth and development.
• Define quarterly and annual workplans for direct reports, based on organizational and team priorities.
• Coordinate the engagement of consultants (for video production, photography, graphic design, printing or other communications-related work) and provide guidance to ensure the timely delivery of quality outputs.
• Act on behalf of the Global Communications Lead in his/her absence, to ensure continuity of services at the Communications & Knowledge Management department.
• Serve as secondary line manager for the heads of other units of the Communications & Knowledge Management department (Web, Publications, and Library).

Strategic thinking, communications planning and coordination

• Co-lead the implementation of IWMI’s communications strategy. Support the implementation of IWMI’s global strategies and operational plans.
• Oversee the implementation of planned activities related to content, events, and campaigns.
• Coordinate and contribute to team plans for content, events and campaigns. Ensure strategic alignment, coherent messaging, and a coordinated approach. Update project management tools and participate in weekly meetings.
• Lead or support the design and implementation of communications plans for IWMI projects. Liaise with IWMI project leaders and researchers — and with partners and stakeholders — for potential content and outreach materials.
• Advise the Global Communications Lead and IWMI’s senior management on opportunities and priorities, based on inputs from regions, projects and global initiatives.
• Coordinate with CGIAR Communications & Outreach counterparts as/if necessary.
• Advise on and continually improve systems and processes for the Communications team.
• Draft and review policies, procedures and guidelines.

Storytelling and content production

• Supervise key communications functions managed by other Communications team members: web content, multimedia, social media and email marketing.
• Write and edit articles (news, features, press releases, op-eds, success stories, profiles) for IWMI’s global websites, global newsletters, and other outlets. Liaise with authors and reviewers for edits and approvals.
• Develop strategic and audience-led communications and knowledge management outputs (briefs, factsheets, presentations, reports, infographics, posters, etc.) to advance IWMI’s corporate and project objectives, focused on impacts and results.

Multimedia

• Coordinate the production of quality video, according to institutional standards and guidelines. Encourage new approaches and formats. Support regional communicators and researchers to define the strategic concept and purpose of the video. Write creative briefs that highlight project impact and results through storytelling. When needed, lead the editorial aspect of video production (script writing and video editing) as well.
• Coordinate photographic documentation of IWMI activities globally, with the support of the Multimedia Specialist and regional communicators. Ensure images capture areas of strategic interest, include complete caption info and metadata, and are ingested into the global photo library.

Media relations and outreach

• Liaise with regional and international media. Organize press conferences and journalists visits to the field, as needed. Lead proactive media outreach and engagement activities.
• Support or lead IWMI’s visibility at selected regional and global events (conferences, forums, trainings, workshops, dialogues, webinars, etc.). Prepare communications plans and key messages ahead of events in coordination with Project Leaders and researchers. Provide communications and media support during events. Act as emcee or facilitator as needed. Document impact and results through newsworthy articles and other materials.
• Increase subscribers to IWMI’s global contact list, with the support of the Communications team.
• Ensure compliance with IWMI branding guidelines and funders’ visibility requirements.

Information management and knowledge management

• Support the development of internal communications strategies and the implementation of activities, as required.
• Support the collection, storage, analysis, and sharing of information products, as required.

Monitoring, evaluation and feedback

• Compile and monitor metrics related to communications activities.
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of communications plans. Assess the effectiveness and impact of communications tactics — and readjust accordingly.
• Carry out any other tasks identified as priorities by the Global Communications Lead for Water Systems.

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Essential

• Master’s degree in mass communications, journalism, international development, sociology, economics or a related field. Alternatively, a master’s degree in one of the fields related to IWMI’s work, but with significant communications experience.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing teams.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex communications projects and processes.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating communications plans.
• Experience working in an international work environment.

Desirable

• Event organization experience.
• Event facilitation experience.
• Experience working in research organizations or multi-disciplinary development programs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Essential

• Excellent writing and editing skills in English. Demonstrated experience writing and editing success stories, human-interest stories, scripts, reports, knowledge products, and other communications materials in English.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft 365 (particularly Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and Teams), cloud document sharing, digital library management, web applications, and digital tools.
• Multimedia skills, particularly video production (planning, creative briefs and scriptwriting).
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills.
• Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to handle multiple deadlines and a variety of tasks.
• Strong analytical skills. Ability to grasp scientific and technical concepts and communicate them clearly and persuasively to various audiences.
• Ability to be a positive team player with good interpersonal skills and the ability to work with people from a wide variety of cultures, with sensitivity and respect.
• Willingness to undertake limited travel to Asia, Africa, Europe and other locations as required

Desirable

• Strong skills in photography and audio (podcasts) production.
• Good skills in video post-production (non-linear video editing).
• Knowledge of water security, agricultural, environmental and development issues.
• Knowledge of diversity, inclusion and gender issues.

Benefits

This is an internationally recruited position with a competitive salary, an attractive retirement plan, comprehensive international health insurance, life insurance accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. Internationally recruited staff who are employed at a duty station outside of their home base/country of nationality will also receive relocation assistance, a housing allowance, home-leave plane tickets for self and eligible dependents and education assistance for eligible dependents. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years.

How to apply

Apply for the position by following the application instructions at https://apply.workable.com/international-water-management-institute/j/FEA8FA8FEE/.

We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on August 25, 2024 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.