International Potato Center (CIP) Communication & Training Specialist Job in Nairobi Kenya

International Potato Center (CIP)

Position Announcement

Ref.: 12-17/CTS/IRS/SSA

Communication & Training Specialist

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking to recruit an innovative communications specialist with experience in developing effective communication materials and in designing and implementing training programs with adults.

The position will serve a new 3 year effort focused on capacity strengthening of African advocates to mobilize resources for massive investment in the dissemination of pro-vitamin A rich orange fleshed sweetpotato and training change agents in how to effectively design and implement such programs.

The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers.

The position: The Sweetpotato for Profit and Health Initiative, launched by CIP and over 26 partners in October 2009, has an ambitious goal of improving the lives of at least 10 million African households by 2020 through the effective production and expanded use of sweetpotato.

Evidence has clearly demonstrated that orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties are an excellent source of pro-vitamin A, an essential vitamin for health.

Building a cadre of trained African champions for utilizing orange-fleshed sweetpotato as an entry point for tackling widespread vitamin A deficiency and a cadre of trained development agents to successfully promote and disseminate these materials is at the core of this effort.

This position requires working in collaboration with technical experts to develop training materials and courses specifically targeting development specialists and working with national program partners to establish their capacity to conduct those courses on an annual basis.

In addition, the position requires developing effective written and non-written materials to assist in the advocacy effort aimed at specific and diverse target groups.

The position will be based at CIP’s Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya.

The project has five target countries: Tanzania, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, and Burkina Faso.

Duties and Accountabilities:

Lead the design and implementation of the communication strategy, in close collaboration with advocacy specialists and country teams
Develop innovative and quality communication and training materials in collaboration with technical experts
Organize and lead training-of-trainer programs and develop capacity of national partners to implement training programs
Assist technical experts in the design of toolkits for resource mobilization, sweetpotato project management, and sweetpotato production and utilization
Backstop country teams with guidelines and advice for working with local and regional media organizations to ensure the incorporation of key messages and develop a database of media and design contacts
Manage the content of the Sweetpotato Knowledge Portal, including quality control, and train stakeholders on its use
Assist in the editing of project reports

Selection Criteria:

Master’s or PhD in communication, marketing, education, or extension with at least 3 years of experience developing and implementing communication or training programs;
Demonstrated skill in designing communication and training materials
Excellent ability to verbally explain new concepts and motivate learning
Excellent writing skills in English
Experience working on multi-disciplinary teams and with diverse partnerships;
Ability to multi-task effectively
Fluency in English and good working knowledge of Portuguese is required. Knowledge of Kiswahili is desired.
Must be a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country

Conditions: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya. Employment contract will be for a two and a half year-term, with a three month probation period.

Salary will be regionally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience.

CIP provides additional benefits, including employer-paid medical, life and disability insurance. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth.

Applications:

Applicants should apply by email, sending a letter of motivation, a full C.V., and the names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to Rosario Marcovich at CIP-Recruitment@cgiar.org and copy to Adiel Mbabu (a.mbabu@cgiar.org).

The reference name of the position should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message.

Screening of applications will begin on 22nd of April and will continue until the post is filled.

All applications will be acknowledged, only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at www.cipotato.org.

CIP is an equal opportunity employer.

Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply