Capacity Development Impact Narrative Consultant

Vacancy Number: INC/CapDev/03/14
Department: CapDev
Duration: 3 month’s

Capacity Development has long been a central element – and one of the great achievements of – ILRI over the past several decades.

  Highly relevant to national capacity needs and a major contributor to achieving positive outcomes from research, an estimated 80 000 professionals have received training from CGIAR since its inception, over 4000 at ILRI alone; and according to some estimates, the CGIAR spends nearly a fifth of its funding on formal and informal training.  Such training has been an essential tool for expanding and strengthening ILRI’s network of collaborators.  However, capacity development at ILRI goes much beyond training (as a stand-alone activity). Capacity development occurs at many levels other than knowledge and skills transfer at the individual level. It embraces organizations, sectors, institutions and cultures.

On the occasion of ILRI’s 40^th anniversary ILRI seeks to recruit a Capacity Development Impact Narrative Consultant who will support the development of a Capacity Development narrative to be showcased at various celebrative events as planned. The post-holder will also use the opportunity to promote alumni engagement, and communications through working closely with the ILRI alumni fellows and CapDev staff to build an enduring and positive relationship.

ILRI works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centers working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in West and southern Africa and South and Southeast Asia.

The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in 31 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors.

CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. 

Responsibilities

The scope of work will evolve depending on a number of factors but will mainly include the following activities;

• Working on an existing CapDev alumni database and helping find out where the alumni are and what they are doing now and compile a report on the same.
• Proactively driving the search for other alumni who may not be captured on the existing database and engaging them as appropriate.
• Looking at and search for academic papers produced by the alumni and prepare some case studies / success stories.
• Design, execute, analyze and evaluate a questionnaire aimed at obtaining feedback from ILRI graduate fellow alumni.
• Actively promoting open lines of communication between alumni and ILRI especially those who will be invited to various events including preparing, editing and disseminating regular correspondence.
• Serve as a dynamic person to contribute to the development of a capacity development narrative based on the work of alumni and other ILRI capacity development initiatives.
• Act as a main contact person by providing guidance and feedback to CapDev, senior ILRI managers and the task force that’s working on various activities/events aimed at showcasing ILRI @40
• Other tasks and duties as required and/or assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in communication, Business, Public Relations, or Marketing or a related area;
• At least 5-10 years relevant work experience is required;
• Experience of producing quality publications suitable for large audiences – print, online and multimedia;
• High level of computer literacy, accuracy and attention to detail;
• Excellent organizational skills and communication skills;
• Excellent writing skills – candidates are requested to submit two writing samples / publications as part of the application process;
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals through email and in person;
• Highly effective at networking and at securing information and expertise;
• Highly proactive and consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Terms of appointment:
This is position is for a 3 month’s consultancy contract period.

How to apply:

Applicants should send a cover letter and CV explaining their interest in the position, and what they can bring to the job. They should also specify fees to be charged for the consultancy in Kenya shillings per month. Applicants must also attach/upload two samples of own writing/publication and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Human Resources Director through  http://ilri.simplicant.com/before 5 April, 2014. The position title and reference number REF: INC/CapDev/03/14 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer. Suitably qualified women and citizens of developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply.