Role purpose

CGIAR has an ambitious agenda to deliver science and innovation and advance the transformation of food, land, and water systems to deliver diverse, healthy, safe, sufficient, and affordable diets, and ensure improved livelihoods and greater social equality. CGIAR operates as a matrix with each Center having its own governance and leadership structure operating alongside the integrated governance and leadership arrangements of CGIAR as a whole.

The Communications and Advocacy unit provides programmatic and advisory services in the engagement of the CGIAR Systems Organization’s internal and external stakeholders through different channels both traditional and non-traditional. The promotion of the research for development programs and their impact delivered by the CGIAR as a whole and individual centers, utilizing a distinct, unified voice, is critical to achieving the group’s mission by building awareness and support.

Under the leadership and supervision of the DEMD, the Director, Communications and Advocacy, is responsible for leading the advancement of strategies and programs to reach out to CGIAR stakeholders to strengthen support for CGIAR.  The Director provides thought leadership and management direction.  Creating an effective framework for stakeholder engagement and facilitating successful access to program support services and expertise by individual Centers and partners, the Director positions the CGIAR as an innovative and trusted partner in existing and new, relevant spaces, leverages key global moments, cultivates champions and partners and is a powerful advocate for the mission of the organization.  The Director also oversees the System Organization’s internal communications, ensuring effective and consistent messaging.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of the Systems Organization’s strategies and programs for promoting CGIAR’s research and innovation work and its impact. Build coalitions and networks of collaboration helping raise voice and resources for the organization.
• Build institutional capacity to provide advice and expertise in the areas of communications and advocacy, enabling the System Organization and its Centers to reach a range of audiences with a cohesive message across various channels and engage in successful advocacy strategies to advance critical issues.
• Establish and oversee a strategy of editorial and content standards that build an engaging, distinct voice for CGIAR narratives and strengthens the institutional brand.
• Coordinate closely with Donor Relations and Business Development colleagues to ensure the design, implementation and impactful delivery of robust, integrated external engagement strategies and plans.
• Provide corporate level strategic advice and guidance for projecting the CGIAR's message and securing engagement and support from critical collaborators, champions, advocates and donors.
• Empower the Communications and Advocacy team to pursue new approaches to expand the Systems Organization’s and client Centers’ reach through effective communications and outreach strategies.
• Build CGIAR  capacity to design and deliver programs of outreach that draw and sustain attention on the innovative work of CGIAR and its Centers.
• Build institutional relationships and identify new networks of collaboration to which and through which the CGIAR’s work can be showcased to build its reputation as a global partner, in existing and new, relevant spaces..
• Maintain and grow engagement with key forums such as the G7, G20, and others, ensuring visibility and relevance of CGIAR’s contributions to these forums.
• Build and contribute to dialogue with civil society, advocacy movements and champions to elevate critical issues and foster coalitions to advance our common agenda.
• Envision, shape and implement campaigns that integrate the capacities and outputs of the Communications and Advocacy team, aligned to cycles of resource mobilization and research program delivery.
• Establish metrics of performance for the reach, impact, and quality of Communications and Advocacy outputs and strategies and hold team accountable for their delivery.
• Develop and oversee a framework for capturing and disseminating best practices in communications and advocacy, accessible to CGIAR stakeholders, to create capacities and resources for renewing CGIAR’s ability to project its message, sustain relationships and leverage networks, and build its brand identity.
• Develop annual plans and budgets for the Communication and Advocacy function for submission through the institutional budget process.

Profile

Education and Experience

• Advanced university degree in Journalism, Communications, Social Sciences, Political Science, Public Relations.
• A sophisticated understanding of communication and international advocacy’s best practices, modern tools and techniques which serve to give a compelling narrative to a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Extensive experience in leading a Communication/Advocacy function in a large, multicultural and geographically dispersed global organization, including experience engaging with international forums such as the G7/G20 or similar, driving dialogue with advocates and champions, and building strong global communication plans. 
• Progressive experience including at least 15 years in communication and/or advocacy, coupled with demonstrated impact at a senior level in a range of related areas including campaigns and events management; digital engagement; media relations, internal communication and advocacy.
• Strategic thinking, with the ability to plan and to assess and mitigate risks. 
• Outstanding communication skills and ability to collaborate and engage with a diverse range of stakeholders in a multicultural work environment. 
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to creating a working environment that is respectful and inclusive. 
• Proven ability to integrate, inspire and develop multidisciplinary teams and manage talent, with a strong commitment to promote diversity, knowledge sharing, and talent development.
• Uphold the highest ethical standards by inspiring trust and treating all people with respect.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required.
• As the System Organization is based in Montpellier, France, working knowledge of French is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of an additional language such as Spanish or Arabic is an advantage. 

Key Competencies

• Substantive Knowledge: Demonstrated Capacity gained through progressive experience to design and manage ambitious integrated advocacy and communication strategies.
• Communication Skills: Demonstrated skill to position the organization in high level forums and new spaces.
• Execution Skills: Demonstrated achievement in seeking continual improvement leading to more effective resource management.

Terms of Appointment

• Benefits
  • The selected staff member will be offered terms and conditions commensurate with the grade of the position.

Role Location

This position will be based in a CGIAR Center in the Global South (LMIC) in a duty station to be determined or Montpellier, France.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please ensure you complete the Application Form provided below by 31 March 2025 (23:59 hrs, GMT +1). It is essential that you submit your CV in English, specifically in Microsoft Word format (.doc/.docx).

Applications in other languages or formats will not be considered.

Rest assured, all information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

SRI Executive is exclusively retained by CGIAR to undertake this assignment.