About WorldFish

“WorldFish is a leading international research organization working to transform aquatic food systems to reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. It collaborates with international, regional, and national partners to co-develop and deliver scientific innovations, evidence for policy, and knowledge to enable equitable and inclusive impact for millions who depend on fish for their livelihoods. As a member of CGIAR, WorldFish contributes to building a food- and nutrition-secure future and restoring natural resources. Headquartered in Penang, Malaysia, with country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, WorldFish strives to create resilient and inclusive food systems for shared prosperity.

About the Project

The Asia-Africa BlueTech Superhighway Project (AABS): Globally, 600 million people depend on small-scale fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods. But these vital aquatic food systems are hindered by the insecure livelihoods of those in related jobs, their low capacity to adapt to climate change, and the loss of marine nature.   AABS, a new project supported through the UK’s Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition (COAST) program under the umbrella of the Blue Planet Fund, will focus on enabling communities to adapt to and mitigate against climate change as well as responsibly and sustainably manage marine and coastal nature and resources, resulting in improved food and nutritional security along with new employment and income opportunities. The initiative aims to unlock the potential of sustainable aquatic food systems for people, planet, and shared prosperity by leveraging South-South collaboration to adapt and scale evidence-based models for delivering impact across Asia and Africa.

About the Position

Reporting to the Global Communications Lead, the Knowledge Management and Communications Specialist will be primarily leading and supporting communications and knowledge management for the AABS Project, particularly fostering South-South collaboration by implementing project’s knowledge exchange activities. A ‘knowledge exchange network’ is envisioned convening AABS stakeholders sharing their country’s experiences and knowledge to learn from each other, informing adaptation of technologies and technology transfer and resulting in co-creation of new knowledge products, while sparking collective dialog and new ideas for innovations. She/he will help design and coordinate thematically focused knowledge exchange events (virtually and occasionally, in-person) and manage and produce succinct knowledge products on aquatic food systems as outcomes from these events. She/he will also be responsible to keep the stakeholders informed and updated and for promoting the visibility of AABS activities and outcomes through WorldFish’s website and channels, partners’ channels, and in relevant forums and globally.

The person will work closely with WorldFish’s Communications Team at the headquarters to implement AABS communications and knowledge management strategy, producing a range of products, including newsletters, partner spotlights, stories of impact, blogs, and knowledge briefs, and contribute AABS content to WorldFish’s digital campaigns and at regional and global events, such as COP28. She/he will also be liaising with focal points across partner institutions in various countries to advise on promotion tactics and opportunities and for developing communications products. She/he will work toward creating a vibrant, engaged community of AABS’ stakeholders, bringing South-South collaboration to life, both for advancing AABS objectives and as a model approach for partnerships that put countries in charge of their agendas for transforming their food and nutrition security, climate change adaptation, and restoration of natural resources.

The incumbent’s broad role is as follows:

• Lead and coordinate AABS’ communications and knowledge management strategy implementation.
• Develop and implement a knowledge sharing plan as part of operationalizing South-South collaboration to advance the mutual agenda of strengthening sustainable aquatic food systems.
• Manage, coordinate, and produce wide variety of communications and knowledge products to increase visibility of AABS, engage its stakeholders, and share knowledge from the project.
• Collaborate with partner focal points across countries to advise, develop, and disseminate AABS’ outputs, ensuring proper branding, messaging, and quality of products.

Requirements

• Implement communications and knowledge management strategy with partners from project countries.
• Develop, guide, and oversee use of branded templates (slides, reports, briefs, etc.) across all AABS’ outputs.
• Maintain an editorial calendar for developing content (in various formats, such as news updates, blogs, and stories) to inform about and promote AABS’ activities and outputs through WorldFish’s digital channels (website, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn).
• Manage AABS’ periodic newsletter, coordinating and developing engaging content and disseminating through Mailchimp.
• Collaborate closely with WorldFish’s Communications team to identify promotion opportunities and position AABS for media publicity and at events – globally, regionally, and within countries.
• Conceptualize and develop project communication products as needed, such as slide decks, briefs, posters, banners, and a media kit, ensuring brand coherence with WorldFish and the donor.
• Collaborate with work package (technical area) leads to conceptualize thematic knowledge exchange events (virtual events supplemented with field visits as relevant).
• Organize facilitated knowledge exchange events, including developing concept notes, planning for the event, promotion, and synthesizing takeaways into knowledge briefs or blogs for dissemination with support from team/vendors as needed.
• Coordinate and manage photo and video assets of AABS activities in different countries.
• Collaborate with WorldFish’s Communications teams to contribute AABS’s narrative for events and campaigns, such as World Oceans Day.
• Develop high quality, engaging content to communicate AABS’ research, collaborations, and impact.
• Advise and support partners on developing communications activities and products, distilling their research into compelling narratives in various formats (online, print, and social media) and disseminating.
• Provide review and editorial oversight for all AABS’ communications and knowledge products.
• Develop and maintain processes and guidance for partners to ensure consistently branded, high quality products.
• Perform other tasks to support Communications team as needed.

The Person

The successful candidate will have:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related discipline with at least 7-8 years’ knowledge management and/or communications experience; OR
• An advanced degree in Communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or a related discipline with 5 or more years of knowledge management and/or communications experience.
• 5 – 8 years’ combined experience in knowledge management and strategic communications, with at least 3 years in an international environment, preferably in the sustainable development sector.
• Proven skills in designing and executing events that convene stakeholders or community of practice for knowledge sharing and/or collaborative learning.
• Experience in planning events, including developing concept notes, coordinating agenda and logistics (virtual/in-person), outreach to speakers/target audiences, mobilizing and briefing event facilitators, and synthesizing outcomes into knowledge and communications products (such as, knowledge briefs, blogs, and social media posts).
• Outstanding writing skills, preferably demonstrated in communicating science and technology subject matter, with experience in writing for different formats, channels, and audiences.
• Excellent oral and interpersonal communications skills (native-level fluency in English).
• Passionate to find innovative ways for stakeholder engagement and leading new initiatives to energize teams on project and organizational goals.
• Adept at quality reviewing of communications products, ensuring messaging and brand implementation across all products and activities (print, digital, multimedia, events, newsletters, and campaigns).
• Well-organized and able to independently manage projects, including timelines and mobilizing and collaborating with staff and vendors as needed.
• A strong understanding and/or keen enthusiasm to learn about key developmental and environmental issues related to the global agricultural research agenda and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills and ability to work collaboratively with people at all levels in a decentralized, respectful, multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary organization.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Experience with CMS (Drupal), web analytics (Google Analytics), and social media management tools preferred.
• Knowledge management certification.

Benefits

This is an Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) position annual salary ranging between USD 47,900 – USD 56,900 per annum. WorldFish’s IRS shall receive comprehensive health insurance, life insurance, accident, and long-term disability insurance. Internationally recruited staff employed outside of their home base/country of nationality will also be eligible to receive relocation assistance, a housing allowance, home-leave plane tickets for self and eligible dependents and education assistance for school-age dependents between age 4 and high school graduation. The duration of the contract will initially be for a three-year period with possibility for extension, depending on funding and performance. All benefits are subject to terms and conditions.

Your application must include:

• A copy of your curriculum vitae,
• A cover letter which addresses key requirements stated above; and
• Contact information of three professional referees who may be contacted if you are short-listed for the position.

To be considered, applications must be submitted by no later than 24:00 (MYT), 31 December 2023.

Location: The post holder will be based in Penang, Malaysia. This position will involve international travel.

The screening will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applicants for WorldFish positions, we appreciate all interest, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Our Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

WorldFish has seven offices across Asia, Africa and the Pacific, with more than 400 staff and 27 nationalities who contribute to a dynamic multicultural work environment.

WorldFish is committed to promoting a work environment where diversity and inclusion is valued and we seek to have gender balance in the organization. We aim to also seek balance across other diversity dimensions.

People in WorldFish are treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnicity/race, national or social origin, disability, religion, political affiliation, age, family size, marital status or any other form of personal identity.

We are an equal opportunities employer and strongly encourage qualified women and men from developing nations to apply.