Communications Specialist

The Communications Specialist will support the implementation of IWMI’s global strategies and the country operational plan in Central Asia. Working closely with the Country Representative, the incumbent will develop content and will support events and campaigns in the region, in accordance with quality standards and guidelines, and with input from project leaders and researchers. The specialist will also support the Central Asia team with knowledge products and forums, keeping a balance of perspectives, interdisciplinarity and inclusion.  The successful candidate will coordinate closely with the Communications & Knowledge Management team, as an integral part of its global systems and workflows.

The main focus of this position lies with the Blue Peace Central Asia 2.0 (BPCA) project. This five-year project will promote equitably shared, and efficiency managed common water resources. It will support Central Asian populations with climate-resilient and sustainable regional water management, as a basis for socioeconomic development and stability.

The project has three main components:

• Regional hydro-diplomacy.
• Technical dialogue and demonstration of water cooperation projects at small transboundary tributary levels.
• Education and youth, through capacitating the next generation of water professionals in Central Asia.
• IWMI is the project lead and will be working in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the implementation of IWMI’s global strategies and the country operational plan in Central Asia, working closely with the Country Representative and in close coordination with IWMI’s Communications & Knowledge Management team in HQ.
• Develop and implement communications and advocacy plans for the BPCA project.
• Define and implement quarterly and annual workplans, based on BCPA project priorities and IWMI’s country and global priorities.
• Coordinate with the global Communications & Knowledge Management team, to ensure strategic alignment, coherent messaging, and a coordinated approach for content and upcoming events.
• Support IWMI’s organization of and participation in national and regional events (conferences, forums, trainings, workshops, dialogues, webinars, etc.). Prepare communications plans and key messages ahead of events in coordination with Project Leaders and researchers. Provide communications and media support during events. Act as emcee or facilitator as needed. Document impact and results through newsworthy articles and other materials.
• Write and edit articles (news, features, press releases, op-eds, success stories, profiles) for IWMI’s global websites, global newsletters, and other outlets. Liaise with authors and reviewers for edits and approvals.
• Develop strategic and audience-led communications and knowledge management outputs (briefs, factsheets, presentations, reports, infographics, posters, etc.) to advance IWMI’s corporate and BCPA project objectives, focused on impacts and results. Disseminate communications and knowledge management products.
• Support dissemination of BPCA knowledge products and activities with stakeholders and Government. Coordinate and manage the preparation, publication and dissemination of BPCA knowledge products.
• Prepare social media content for IWMI’s official global accounts.
• Liaise with IWMI project leaders and researchers for potential content and outreach materials, and to ensure technical quality. If required, lead or support the design and implementation of communications plans for other IWMI projects.
• Liaise with partners and stakeholders for the production of project communications materials.
• Liaise with national and regional media. Organize press conferences and journalists visits to the field, as needed. Lead proactive media outreach and engagement activities in Central Asia.
• Compile media contacts for Central Asia and add them to IWMI’s global media lists, for targeted national, regional, and global outreach.
• Increase subscribers to IWMI’s global contact list. Lead partners, workshop participants and other stakeholders in Central Asia to sign up for email marketing updates. Develop mailings and newsletters targeted at specific national audiences, in coordination with IWMI’s Communications & Knowledge Management team in HQ.
• Coordinate the production of quality video, according to institutional standards and guidelines. Coordinate photographic documentation of IWMI activities in Central Asia, according to institutional standards and guidelines.
• Coordinate the engagement of consultants (for video production, photography, graphic design, printing or other communications-related work) and provide guidance to ensure the timely delivery of quality outputs.
• Ensure compliance with IWMI branding guidelines and with funders’ visibility, marking and branding requirements.
• Support the implementation of internal communications strategies and activities, as required.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of communications activities in Central Asia.
• Carry out any other tasks identified as priorities by the Country Representative or the Global Communications Lead for Water Systems.

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Essential,

• Master’s degree in mass communications, journalism, international development, sociology, political sciences or a related field.
• At least 07 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of communications and knowledge management plans.
• Experience organizing policy dialogues, multi-stakeholder engagement platforms, or similar events.
• Presentation and event facilitation experience.
• Experience working in an international work environment.

Desirable,

• Experience working in research organizations or multi-disciplinary research-for-development programs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Essential,

• Excellent writing and editing skills in English. Demonstrated experience writing and editing reports, knowledge products, success stories and other communications materials in English.
• Excellent writing and editing skills in Russian, Uzbek and other local languages). Experience preparing knowledge and communications products in Russian and local languages.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft 365 (particularly Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and Teams), web applications, and digital tools.
• Multimedia skills, including photography, video, graphic design and audio production.
• Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to handle multiple deadlines and a variety of tasks.
• Strong analytical skills. Ability to grasp scientific and technical concepts and communicate them clearly and persuasively to various audiences.
• Ability to be a positive team player with good interpersonal skills and the ability to work with people from a wide variety of cultures, with sensitivity and respect.
• Knowledge of diversity, inclusion and gender issues in Central Asia.
• Willingness to undertake travel to field location with limited facilities and support.

Desirable,

• Demonstrated understanding of water security, agricultural, environmental and development issues in Central Asia.

Source: https://apply.workable.com/international-water-management-institute/j/9322755E7F/