Communications Head / Science Writer

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COMMUNICATIONS HEAD/SCIENCE WRITER

The Person and the Job
If you are keen to convert new scientific results into clear concise messages that will stimulate action, please let us know. The
Communications Head works closely with the Director, Communications and Marketing, in the planning of strategic
communications for IWMI globally. You will be responsible for the implementation of communications activities and products.
Particularly important will be to identify stories and key messages from our scientific research on water issues and solutions; and to
present these in a way that captures the world’s attention and stimulates action. You will be based at the headquarters of the
International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Communications activities typically include campaigns, media publicity for the Institute and on topical issues, and representation
at events. A wide range of communications products are developed in print and electronic format. As Head of the Communications
Unit, the person is also responsible for managing the staff in the Unit at IWMI’s headquarters.

As Head of Communications, You will:
• develop communications strategies as part of the broader marketing, information and knowledge management
strategies of IWMI;
• implement a communications strategy; and
• manage the communications staff at IWMI headquarters.

As part of the communications strategy, you will:
• ensure IWMI’s messages are clear and compelling;
• develop and undertake campaigns on selected issues/messages;
• strategize and coordinate IWMI’s media strategy. This will include writing media releases, developing press kits and organizing
media conferences. Also important will be liaising, and developing relationships, with the media and PR companies;
• produce corporate materials. This will require translating scientific findings into practical information for a range of target
audiences ranging from policymakers to NGOs, development agencies, donors and others. These messages will be written for
different mediums including the web, policy briefs, issue briefs, success stories, Annual Report and presentations;
• organize IWMI’s representation at events;
• collaborate with other centers within the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and
contribute to the collective communication goals of the CGIAR communications and marketing group.
 

You will possess:
• a degree in communications or related field;
• minimum 10 years experience in a similar professional field;
• solid experience as a writer and the ability to grasp scientific and technical concepts and communicate them clearly to
various audiences;
• excellent command of spoken and written English;
• sound knowledge in word processing and other relevant MS Office software packages;
• experience in agricultural research and development fields; and
• experience in working with the media.
 

This is an internationally recruited position with a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a housing allowance,
transport, education, shipping assistance, annual home leave, retirement and health insurance package. IWMI’s policy is to appoint
staff initially on three-year contracts which are subject to renewal, depending on performance and the Institute’s needs.

The International Water Management Institute ( www.iwmi.org  ) is a non-profit, scientific organization engaged in research and capacity building activities for developing countries. Our mission is to overcome poverty through better management of land and water resources. Working with diverse partners and supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research ( www.cgiar.org ), IWMI seeks to translate its research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers, resource managers and poor rural communities. IWMI is based in Sri Lanka and has regional offices in 12 countries in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
 

IWMI is an equal opportunity employer and is keen to further diversify its staff in terms of both gender and nationality.
 

Please submit your application on-line at: www.iwmi.org/About_IWMI/Vacancies/  Closing date: 31st December 2010

Complete Application Form + attach your résumé + attach your letter which addresses IWMI’s requirements shown above
with names and email addresses of 3 professional referees, to be contacted if you are short-listed

Your application will be acknowledged automatically within 24 hours. If not, please email us at work-at-iwmi@cgiar.org

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