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 for the engagement of the CGIAR Systems Organization’s stakeholders – internal and external – to increase CGIAR's voice, influence, and impact around the world. The promotion of the research for development of CGIAR as a whole, and of individual centers, using a distinct, unified voice, boosts the understanding and relevance of CGIAR’s science and supports investment, positioning the organization to achieve its mission to transform food, land, and water systems. A capacity to envisage the needs of international stakeholder communities and respond with targeted insights and programs lies at the core of the organization’s relevance and is the foundation of its reputation as a distinguished provider of advice and solutions in the agriculture and food sector.

The Senior Manager, Advocacy – International Fora, reporting to the Director of Communications and Advocacy, designs and leads the execution of advocacy strategies and campaigns to expand CGIAR's presence and increase influence in public policy debates, at international fora, and among global policy bodies. The Senior Manager will act as a strategic advisor to CGIAR leadership and management on emerging issues and trends relating to international policy and on discourse related to the transformation of food, land, and water systems at national, regional, and global levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

INNOVATE

• Anticipate emerging trends and debates in advocacy, civil society, and public policy and determine areas to focus strategies and campaigns that amplify CGIAR’s voice in global policy discourse on agricultural research for development.
• Design national, regional, and global advocacy strategies and campaigns that define CGIAR’s stand on key topics, articulate and advance CGIAR’s policy positions and increase the credibility and impact of CGIAR science with a growing network of supporters among policy makers, champions, and influencers.
• Lead the development CGIAR-led advocacy initiatives and activities that convene stakeholders and mobilize champions to further CGIAR’s policy positions and advocacy goals, including declarations, events, white papers, informational materials, and initiatives aligned to international fora and events.
• Oversee the development and management of monitoring approaches and metrics that track public policy discourses and engagement to inform, and gauge the impact of, advocacy activities.
• Establish and nurture CGIAR’s presence and dialogue with key international and regional forums such as G7, G20, Davos, Munich Security Council, COP, UNGA and others, seeking to bring and amplify CGIAR’s voice strategically and leverage key “moments” as part of integrated advocacy plans ; build and maintain key relationships; support leadership in their engagement with a range of stakeholders.
• Under the DEMD leadership, and the Director’s guidance on external engagement strategies, and working hand in hand with Donor Relations, support RM in critical geographies and globally by deploying smart advocacy and campaign plans and leveraging adequate opportunities with champions and allies.

ADVOCATE

• Provide insight and guidance to Advocacy Officers and the broader Communications and Advocacy team on effective multi-stakeholder, audience-led advocacy campaign approaches to strengthen capacity in delivery of effective communications campaigns.
• Advise, guide, and prepare internal stakeholders (e.g., scientists, leaders, etc.) for engagement with policy makers and appearances in international fora to ensure consistent messaging, and mitigation of risk and exposure.
• Convene communities of practice across the CGIAR to gather and share information, best practices, and coordinate strategies for advocacy and public policy engagement.
• Foster relationships with grassroots agricultural organizations, private sector coalitions, development finance institutions, UN agencies (e.g., FAO, WFP, IFAD) establishing CGIAR as a thought leader and driver of innovation in food and agriculture science.

DEFINE PROJECT CYCLE

• Develop an advocacy campaigns calendar  aimed at influencing public policy and utilizing inputs (e.g., content, events, networks) from across the Communications and Advocacy team and CGIAR stakeholders, aligned to the overall engagement and resource mobilization and science strategies.
• Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and develop rigorous methodologies for monitoring public policy discourse, engagement of civil society and champions, to sustain assessment and continuous improvement of campaigns and communications and advocacy approaches.
• Create and maintain a platform for the collection and dissemination of best practices in advocacy, archive successes of the CGIAR in influencing the public policy debate, and directories of champions and policy makers to expand the capacity of the Systems Office Communications and Advocacy team as well as the public information functions across the CGIAR.

Profile

• Advanced degree in Journalism, Communications, Social Sciences, Political Science, Public Relations, or other related disciplines.
• Specialized experience in advocacy including working with international, multilateral organizations, not for profit, and civil society stakeholders.
• Fluency in English – essential to communicate in writing and speaking. Knowledge of a second language is desirable.

Target Skills Profile

• Demonstrated capacity gained through experience and reflecting subject mastery in Communications and Advocacy.
• Challenge and/or critically assess existing policy frameworks in their utility to meet the objectives of the function and/or needs of clients.
• Lead an effort to develop new policy, program, product or service.
• Demonstrated skill gained through varied exposure/experience in presentation/promotion.
• Present clear guidance/advice on the state of a program/policy.
• Build networks of collaboration to strengthen and secure client relationships.
• Demonstrated achievement in the execution/delivery of multi-step/layered programs/services.
• Development of effective programming/business cycles for consistent provision of services.
• Development of quality metrics to support introduction/operationalization of new programs/services.

Terms of Appointment

• 3 years renewable contract.
• 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.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please ensure you complete the Application Form provided below by 06 February 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.