Communications Specialist at ICARDA

Cairo, Cairo, Egypt -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

20 Dec, 25

Salary

0.0

Posted On

21 Sep, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Content Creation, Journalism, Communications, Event Coordination, Writing, Editing, Proofreading, Digital Content Creation, SEO Principles, Teamwork, Multicultural Environment, Agricultural Sector, Design Skills, A/V Content Production, Photography, Analytics Tools

Industry

Non-profit Organizations

Description

Reports to: Head of Communications Location: Cairo, Egypt Main Purpose of the Position The Communications Team at ICARDA is responsible for a wide range of activities aimed at marketing the organization's work, news, and achievements. The team operates in a fast-paced environment, primarily focusing on digital outputs such as social media and website content while also engaging in traditional press, hard-copy publications, event coordination, and partner relations. Additionally, the team provides marketing tools and style guides and supports internal communications to ensure consistent external voice and branding. The role of the Communications Specialist plays a key role in overseeing the production of high-quality, compelling materials that align with ICARDA's mission and strategic goals. In addition, this position will support ICARDA's Communications Team by participating in the developing and implementation of the organization’s overall communications strategy and implementation plan, overseeing content creation, production of the key deliverables such as the Annual Report, managing various consultants to the communication team, supporting press outreach, and creating diverse content formats that effectively convey the organization's work, news, and achievements to a global audience. Additionally, the role aims to enhance ICARDA’s visibility, engagement, ensure brand consistency, and support both internal and external communications, guaranteeing that ICARDA's messaging is clear, accurate, and impactful. About ICARDA The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR. ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development, and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organizations, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon ICARD operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org. Main Responsibilities The Communications Specialist will manage ICARDA’s content creation as well as carry out a wide range of communications activities including: Manage content creation, including ICARDA’s website content, development and oversight of ICARDA’s annual content calendar, as well as manage and contribute to other high-level products such as brochures, factsheets, event communications, and similar outputs, ensuring consistency and quality across formats. Support development and implementation of ICARDA’s communications strategy and implementation plan, with a focus on aligning external narratives with institutional priorities and sector trends to effectively target key audiences. Ensure regular coordination with ICARDA’s technical and other teams, communications staff and roster of consultants to enable drafting of content to highlight ICARDA’s impact and achievements for target global audiences, and travel to high level conferences/meetings, video shoots, and other events as needed. Oversee production of key deliverables such as the Annual Report. Lead a refresh of ICARDA’s website to improve accuracy, usability, and strategic alignment. Oversee and undertake communication activities within designated strategic projects. Support development of a photo and video library to ensure ICARDA communications and other teams have access to high-quality images for use in various materials. Lead production of ICARDA’s monthly newsletter. Manage roster of suppliers, consultants and junior communications staff as required. Support event promotion, press outreach, communication campaigns, and other communication tasks as needed in coordination with other communications team members. Support internal communications by creating content for staff newsletters, and internal announcements if/as needed. Education, Experience, and Qualifications Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field. Master’s degree is strongly preferred. 5+ years of experience in content creation, journalism, or communications. Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills in English. Experience in event coordination. Proficiency in MS SharePoint, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Proficiency in digital content creation tools and content management systems. Strong understanding of SEO principles and digital media best practices. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a multicultural and multidisciplinary work environment. Experience in the agricultural or environmental sectors. Basic design skills, knowledge of tools for A/V content production, and understanding of photography. Knowledge of Arabic or French. Experience with analytics tools to measure content performance and make data-driven decisions. Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits This is a nationally recruited position open for Egyptian nationals for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months’ maternity leave, 15 days’ paternity leave. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, renewable subject to continued need for the position and satisfactory performance. The first year will be a probationary period. Please be advised that ICARDA accepts applications only in English, as per the organization's standard communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Responsibilities

The Communications Specialist will manage content creation and oversee a wide range of communications activities to ensure high-quality outputs that align with ICARDA's mission. This includes supporting the development and implementation of the communications strategy, managing deliverables, and enhancing ICARDA’s visibility and engagement.