The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is seeking for an innovative Senior Communication Specialist to join its headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The Communications and Knowledge Management (CKM) Unit supports the implementation of IWMI’s Communication strategy through the delivery of communications and knowledge management activities to enhance the impact of the institute’s research findings and raise the profile of IWMI’s work broadly as well as that of water systems science in general.

The Senior Communication Specialist will lead the development and coordination of communications content, and support with the management of the creative unit.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develop communications content and materials, including drafting or editing blogs and Op-Eds, news, success stories, briefs, infographics, presentations, reports, newsletters etc. in collaboration with IWMI researchers and staff.
• Management of IWMI blog, interfacing with authors throughout the editing/revision process and including approval procedures by relevant IWMI entities.
• Support or lead IWMI presence at selected events (conferences, workshops, webinars etc..) including planning, booths, posters, print materials, partner liaison, media engagement etc.
• As appropriate, support with the supervision of Princeton in Asia Fellows and communications interns

• If required, support Initiative leaders through the design and implementation of communications strategies for IWMI / Water Systems led CGIAR (and IWMI initiated) Initiatives.
• Participate in meetings of the Communications and Knowledge Management (CKM) unit as required, to ensure synergies in work and strategic orientation.
• Lead weekly content coordination meetings to support content development while ensuring the approach is strategic, systematic, and that target audiences and the likelihood of uptake is clear, including inter alia, blogs, success stories and newsletters.
• Undertake any other tasks identified as priorities by the Global Communications Lead and Director General / Director Water Systems Unit.

Requirements

Educational Qualification & Experience:

Essential:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field such as: communications, knowledge management, media, public relations, or journalism. Or agriculture, natural resource management or environment but with significant communication experience.
• A minimum of 7-10 years’ experience in communications-related work.

Desirable:

• Demonstrated understanding of agricultural, environmental and development issues preferred.
• Willingness to undertake limited regional travel to Asia, Africa, Europe and other locations as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of communications technologies and processes.
• Excellent English writing and editing skills.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office, web applications, and social media outlets required. Photography, graphic design, and facilitation skills are a bonus.
• Organized and detail oriented and with the ability to handle multiple deadlines and a variety of tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high quality written and digital material.

• Strong analytical and interviewing skills.
• Ability to grasp scientific and technical concepts and communicate them clearly to various audiences.
• Ability to be a positive team player with good interpersonal skills and be able to work with people from a wide variety of cultures.

Benefits

This is a nationally recruited position and only Sri Lankan nationals will be considered. IWMI offers a competitive salary and benefits package, inclusive of health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years.

HOW TO APPLY: Qualified applicants should submit a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis until 24:00 (IST) on June 28, 2023. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.