The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is looking for two creative, energetic, impact-driven Communications Officers to amplify the visibility and influence of four flagship research programs:
Health & Livestock Genetics, Nutrition and Feed Resources (LGNFR) Livestock, Climate and Environment (LCE) & People, Policies and Institutions (PPI)These roles are perfect for communicators who thrive at the intersection of science, storytelling, and development, and who want their work to contribute to better food systems, stronger climate resilience, and improved livelihoods across Africa and Asia.
ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for the efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of the 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to livestock research for development, with offices across Kenya, Ethiopia, Asia and Africa. Learn more at www.ilri.org
Key Responsibilities
Working hand-in-hand with program leaders and scientists, you will help shape how ILRI’s research is understood and use around the world. Your mission will be to turn cutting-edge livestock science into compelling stories, insights, and products that influence policy, inspire donors, and engage global audiences.
Promotion and visibility of the program
Develop program marketing and communication materials to effectively communicate the work of the two programs including brochures, website, powerpoint, social media messages, etc In consultation with the program lead, develop the strategic selling points of the program and a message map to guide all communications Maintain an outreach list of donors, partners and target audiences to ensure targeted dissemination of products Maintain and update the web pages of the programs, ensuring they reflect current priorities, projects, activities, teams and relevant international/themed days Monitor and evaluate communication activities and impact Communications and writing Manage and regularly update a pipeline of thought leadership pieces, feature stories, outcome stories emanating from the research programs Track solutions from the research programs to put into the institute’s solutions platform Develop engaging research highlight stories and other related knowledge products based on key publications, showcasing findings and their impact Ensure that ILRI’s editorial style and messaging are consistently applied across knowledge products Support scientists in laying out their research products using institute’s existing knowledge product templates, or through liaising with the publishing team Liaise with the publishing team to facilitate the publishing process, ensuring that research outputs submitted for editing and layout have been reviewed and vetted internally Coordinate with the communications team to ensure effective dissemination of research publications through ILRI’s channels, optimizing visibility and reach Identify and coordinate the production of communication materials (e.g. infographics, videos) to enhance the accessibility and visibility of research outputs Curate and manage photos from researchers, ensuring quality control, proper captioning and attribution, and uploading them to ILRI’s Flickr account Work with researchers to produce project highlights for posting on ILRI.org. Outreach and engagement Manage program presence across web and social media platforms, ensuring consistent branding and messaging Organize and support webinars, workshops, conferences, and media events to enhance stakeholder engagement Foster partnerships with communication counterparts in CGIAR and external organizations to amplify outreach Knowledge management Work with program staff and CAKM to ensure timely curation of research outputs within ILRI’s institutional repository (CGSpace) Proactively engage with researchers to monitor the progress of publications, providing support to push outputs to completion and prevent year-end backlogs Liaise with the publishing team to facilitate the publishing process, ensuring that research outputs submitted for editing and layout have been reviewed and vetted internallyRequirements
Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or relevant field Seven years’ experience Progressive experience in science communication, journalism, knowledge management, or outreach within international research or development organizations Demonstrated experience translating technical or scientific research into clear, engaging content for diverse audiences, including policymakers, donors, and the public Experiencing in storytelling and developing content that is audience driven Experience in monitoring results and adapting content Proven track record in developing communication products such as articles, policy briefs, press releases, multimedia stories, and web or social media content Strong writing skills and project communication experience Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and collaborating across institutions or projects Experience working on research, agriculture, environment, or development issues, with an ability to grasp new topics quickly Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific ideas in clear, accessible, and engaging language A positive can-do attitude and ability to work in a complex environment Strong interpersonal and intercultural communication abilities, with experience working in diverse, multicultural teams Strategic and creative thinking, with the ability to plan, execute, and evaluate effective communication and outreach strategies Digital communication proficiency, including content management systems, social media platforms, and basic graphic or multimedia tools Results-oriented and proactive, with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines Attention to detail and commitment to scientific accuracy and credibility Collaborative mindset, demonstrating initiative, adaptability, and openness to learning in a dynamic research environment Ability to manage multiple demands from researchers and program leads and work under pressure/tight deadlinesPost location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya
Terms of Appointment
This position is at job level HG 15 and it is only open to ILRI staff, Kenyan nationals.
How to apply: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, and what they can bring to the job to the Head of People and Culture through our recruitment portal by clicking on \"Apply Now\" on or before 17 December 2025. The position title and reference number REF: CAKM/2077/12/25 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.
ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org/