Practice Lead Communications

Location: While Nairobi, Kenya is the preferred duty station for this role, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) or Montpellier (France) may also be considered.

Date Published: 18 March 2026

Closing Date for Applications: 9 April at 16:00 CEST.

About CGIAR

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. 

About the position

Reporting to the Donor Relations & Business Development Director, the Practice Lead Communications is responsible for leading CGIAR’s global communications strategy, which includes building CGIAR’s strategic narrative and brand awareness. The role will be responsible for shaping a clear, credible, and compelling story that works across countries, cultures and stakeholder groups.

The role will deliver events, communication campaigns, and system-level communications to advance institutional priorities and build trust, visibility and influence to advance mission and impact. Working collaboratively across CGIAR Centers and with external stakeholders, the role ensures coherent, high-quality external engagement that effectively translates organizational priorities into meaningful outcomes.

The Practice Lead connects strategy to execution across multiple communications channels and platforms through influence, coordination, and sound judgment within a complex, multi-institutional partnership. The incumbent also plays a key role in strengthening System Organization’s internal communications, ensuring staff are well-informed, aligned, and engaged around internal and CGIAR-wide priorities and operational milestones.

Duties and Responsibilities

Purpose

• Lead system‑level communications planning across Centers, Initiatives/Programs, and corporate functions to steward and strengthen the CGIAR brand, build coherence, and ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
• Direct the design and implementation of internal communications approaches that enhance alignment, clarity, and change management across CGIAR.
• Provide strategic guidance on prioritizing engagements with the greatest institutional impact and ensure coherent positioning across key external moments.
• Oversee the integration and effective use of enterprise communications technologies (such as but not limited to CMS, DAM, CRM, event management tools) to enable secure, seamless global communication experiences.
• Drive innovation in CGIAR’s communication practice by identifying and piloting emerging technologies—including AI‑driven content and advanced event tech—to strengthen CGIAR’s visibility and influence in development communications.

Engagement

• Advise and support senior leadership on strategic public communications and high‑level external engagements, ensuring clear and coordinated stakeholder messaging for major systemwide events and campaigns.
• Align communications and engagement activities—including global campaigns, events, and outreach—with resource mobilization priorities and institutional objectives.
• Strengthen internal leadership communications related to organizational priorities, change initiatives, and system‑wide milestones.
• Help convening and coordinating communications leads across Centers to drive consistent messaging, aligned branding, and coherent use of shared digital tools.
• Lead the development, evolution, and stewardship of CGIAR’s institutional brand and narrative, ensuring its effective application across the system.

Delivery

• Oversee CGIAR’s participation in major global forums, donor and partner engagements, and CGIAR‑hosted convenings, ensuring strategic alignment, compelling narratives, and rigorous delivery, including responsibility for budget planning and oversight.
• Lead the planning and execution of high‑impact, multichannel campaigns that advance CGIAR’s positioning, advocacy priorities, and global visibility.
• Lead the translation of complex scientific outputs into clear, compelling narratives for policy, advocacy, and global moments, ensuring accurate and impactful messaging.
• Monitor and enhance digital engagement, media partnerships, and communication performance to strengthen reach, influence, and continuous learning.
• Provide leadership for the development, performance, and growth of a multidisciplinary communications team, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Identify, manage, and escalate strategic communication risks, ensuring readiness through stewardship of the system‑wide crisis communications protocol and support to the Rapid Response team.
• Strengthen internal information flows and engagement to promote shared understanding and collaboration across CGIAR.
• Contribute to the development and coordination of a system‑level impact measurement framework, tracking effectiveness and ROI of global engagements and internal communications, and reporting to the EMD and System Council.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; a Master’s degree is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to shape enterprise‑level communication strategy and institutional narrative, ensuring coherence and alignment across a complex global system.
• Proven experience advising senior leadership in high‑stakes, international, and multi‑stakeholder environments.
• Strong track record of leading global events, multichannel campaigns, and system‑wide communications in complex organizational settings.
• Experience leading through influence—aligning diverse stakeholders and driving coordinated action without formal line authority.
• Significant people‑leadership experience in international, multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to apply systems thinking, strategic prioritization, and disciplined trade‑offs to align resources with impact.
• Experience working in international non‑profit or mission‑driven organizations is an advantage.

Key Competences

Core competencies

• Accountability: Models integrity and ethical conduct, fostering transparent communication and shared accountability across the organization.
• Collaboration & Communication: Builds an environment that values diverse perspectives, promotes effective communication, and drives alignment through compelling and inclusive messaging.
• Respect & Inclusion: Promotes a culture of respect, psychological safety, and inclusion, ensuring individuals feel valued and able to contribute meaningfully.
• Results & Impact Orientation: Inspires continuous learning, innovation, and strategic foresight to anticipate global trends, leveraging technology and insight for long‑term organizational impact.

Functional and Technical competencies

• Analytical, Critical, and Systems Thinking: Shapes innovation‑oriented approaches, applies systems thinking to complex challenges, and adapts communications strategies to organizational transformation.
• Knowledge Management: Champions advanced knowledge‑sharing practices, ensuring high‑quality, user‑centric tools and systems.
• Capacity Building: Leads global capacity‑building initiatives, drives innovation in learning approaches, and secures partnerships and buy‑in across the system.
• Planning and Organizing: Guides the development of strategic plans, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, efficient resource allocation, and strong project oversight.
• Problem Solving: Designs strategies to address complex communication challenges and strengthens CGIAR’s positioning as a leader in applied agricultural science.

Managerial and Leadership competencies

Managing Team Dynamics

• Applies emotional intelligence, empathy, and self‑awareness to build positive global relationships and support high‑performing teams.
• Fosters a culture of inclusivity, mentorship, and continuous improvement, championing fair and consistent talent and performance management.
• Promotes a climate of trust and shared responsibility for physical and psychological well‑being, modeling healthy behaviors.

Strategic Leadership

• Builds and sustains long‑term, trusted partnerships, engaging stakeholders in strategic decision‑making and alignment around shared goals.
• Leads organizational change with optimism and focus, cultivating innovation and continuous improvement.
• Integrates risk management into strategic decisions, ensuring alignment with stakeholder expectations and organizational objectives.
• Serves as a thought leader by shaping strategic direction, identifying global trends, and leveraging emerging technologies relevant to CGIAR’s mission.

Languages

• Fluency in English is essential to communicate in writing and speaking.
• A working knowledge of an additional language is an advantage.

Term of Employment

Reports to: Donor Relations & Business Development Director

Grade: CG12

Benefits

The compensation package includes a competitive salary with advantageous tax conditions, comprehensive insurance coverage, a retirement plan, and an education grant. The relocation and repatriation package covers a lump sum allowance, temporary living expenses, shipping allowance, and travel costs for staff members and their eligible dependents.

Staff are entitled to 30 working days of annual leave and 22 working days of medical leave per year, as well as parental or other special leave as applicable. The organization observes 10 official holidays annually and offers flexible work arrangements.

Counselling and well-being support are also available upon request.

System Organization appointments are typically for a fixed term of three years, with a possibility of renewal subject to effective performance, operational needs, and funding.

Submitting Your Application

All applications must be submitted online by clicking the “Apply” button below. If you require assistance or encounter any issues when submitting your application, please contact recruitment@cgiar.org and include the position title in the subject line. Please note that applications sent to this email address will not be considered.

Please ensure that your resume and cover letter are in English and do not include your marital status, age, or photograph. Documents submitted in any language other than English will not be reviewed.

CGIAR is committed to building fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity drives innovation, strengthens excellence, and is fundamental to our mission. We offer a multicultural, multi-generational, and multidisciplinary working environment, with a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and flexible working arrangements. We are intentional about creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity.

We therefore encourage applications from individuals of all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, and gender identities. If you require an accommodation due to a disability, please email recruitment@cgiar.org with “Diversity and Inclusion Accommodation” in the subject line.

Candidates should ensure that all communications with CGIAR are sent only to email addresses ending in cgiar.org. CGIAR staff will never charge fees or request payment from candidates at any stage of the recruitment process.