Communication Specialist (Leadership Communications)

Organizational Setting

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

The External Relations Department (ERD) leads IFAD's external engagement through public and political advocacy, global policy engagement, partnership building, resource mobilization and strategic communications. ERD also leads IFAD's Replenishment, which is the process through which IFAD mobilizes core funding from Member States and agrees on priorities and targets for the Fund's work during each three-year replenishment period. ERD is led by an Associate Vice President and is comprised of two divisions: Global Engagement Partnership and Resource Mobilization Division (GPR) and the Communications Division (COM) and one initiative: The Food Systems Coordination (FSC).

The Communications Division (COM) leads IFAD's global communications and public advocacy, growing the Fund's visibility and reputation, and promoting the IFAD brand. It expands IFAD's media presence and digital footprint, connecting audiences with stories of IFAD's work and impact. COM also leads on internal communications, keeping IFAD's staff informed and involved.

COM is led by a Divisional Director supported by the Chief, Communications Strategy and Operations, and is comprised of four (4) teams: External Engagement, Partner and Field Engagement, Production, and Strategic Planning and Internal Communication.

Job Role

Working under the supervision of a Senior Communications Specialist, the incumbent conceptualizes, proposes and after approval implements strategic communication approaches that enhance IFAD's visibility and influence, strengthen its brand, build partnerships and promote awareness of its mandate. They contribute to both internal and external communications through the development of high-quality, engaging content across multiple platforms and formats, including press releases, social media assets, stories, reports, speeches and web content. They serve as key intermediaries between IFAD and its stakeholders - internally across divisions and externally with media, partners, and public audiences - ensuring that IFAD's work and results are effectively communicated to enhance support and understanding of the Fund's impact.

The incumbent will work closely with IFAD's Communications Director and senior leadership to produce and deliver a new vision for leadership communications.

The role will contribute to establishing thought leadership, enhance stakeholder engagement and strengthen institutional presence.

The incumbent will work collaboratively across the house to drive external communications and engagement that builds credibility, position IFAD's leadership as leaders in development finance in target sectors, and enhances influence across diverse platforms, in line with IFAD's corporate and public engagement priorities.

The incumbent will take a primary responsibility for executive messaging and profile building, while ensuring - with the support of the communications division and wider colleagues - increased coordination and ambition in media, digital and events.

They craft speeches and statements for the IFAD President and Vice President that are clear, well written, persuasive, and factually correct, and that fit with the speaker's style. They develop messaging in consultation with management and technical staff around IFAD's brand and comparative advantage to promote the organization's work, and may also craft or contribute to the development of other high profile and priority communications, as well as contributing to the strategy and planning of high-profile communication initiatives and activities.

Key Functions and Results

1. COMMUNICATION FUNCTIONS
Contributes to and supports the implementation of communications strategies that advance IFAD's institutional priorities and build the Fund's visibility, reputation, and stakeholder engagement. Researches, conceptualizes and produces communications content across formats and platforms - written, visual, audio, and digital - and tailors messaging for diverse global and regional audiences. Contributes to media outreach, digital storytelling, editorial content, and communications planning, ensuring alignment with IFAD's brand identity and messaging framework.

2. STRATEGIC PLANNING, OUTREACH AND CONTENT DELIVERY
Contributes to corporate planning, delivery, monitoring and evaluation and strategy, including for corporate communication initiatives and activities, in order to position IFAD and promote its image as an organization, and to strengthen IFAD's brand. Assesses communications trends and needs, proposes strategic approaches, and develops workplans that support programmatic and institutional goals. Contributes to outreach efforts, partnership development, campaigns, and content planning, and ensures consistency in tone, messaging, and branding. Monitors the production of high-profile materials and manages internal review processes to deliver quality-assured content on time.

3. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS
Is accountable for project management and the management of IFAD resources including
a) People Management, such as identifying external communications talent to build a roster, monitoring performance of vendors and personnel supervised (where relevant), ensuring a focus on results and alignment with IFAD goals, providing guidance in the relevant area of responsibility and communicating management messages and decisions to the team;
b) Resource Management, providing strategic input for budget preparation and work plans, and accountability for the use of material resources received; and
c) Strategic guidance, political sensitivity, keen diplomatic skills and good judgment in carrying out high-level communications work

4. KNOWLEDGE AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
Contributes to knowledge sharing by documenting lessons learned, developing templates or guidance notes, and supporting communication capacity across the Fund, including ensuring continual updating of knowledge dissemination of best practices and promoting up-to-date information and capacity development tools Develops strong partnerships with staff in technical and operational fields to ensure accuracy and consistency of content across IFAD communications.

5. LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION PRODUCTS
Initiate, develop and disseminate external communication approaches and products in support of senior IFAD positioning. Develops communication approaches based on leadership profiles and organizational needs. Crafts speeches, statements and op-eds for the IFAD President and Vice President that are clear, well written, persuasive and factually correct, and that fit with the speaker's style. Works closely with colleagues to ensure multimedia leadership placement in mainstream, digital and online media. Consults with both OPV leads and with technical experts in relevant fields, as well as with ERD and GPR leads, and manages the editorial process as described in current process frameworks.

6. STRATEGIC MESSAGING
Develops messaging in consultation with management and technical staff around IFAD's brand and comparative advantage to promote the organization's work, and may also craft or contribute to the development of other high profile and priority communications, including op-eds, articles and forewords, as well as contributing to the strategy and planning of high-profile communication initiatives and activities.

7. KNOWLEDGE GATHERING AND SHARING AND AI INTEGRATION
Builds and maintains a network of contacts within and outside of IFAD as a knowledge resource on various issues to keep up-to-date with emerging issues and trends. Guides IFAD leadership on communication platforms, tools and practices, including media training. Coordinates, reviews and revises the work of consultants and advises and guides other IFAD staff producing statements and talking points, to promote accuracy and avoid reputational risks in public statements of the President or senior management. Leads on leadership stakeholder partnership mapping, audience segmentation, monitoring and analysis. Pilots and evaluates new technologies to increase efficiency and coordination in production of complex written texts. planning, delivery, and evaluation. Develops a system where speech outlines are generated through AI from existing speech compendium, scanning the landscape for opportunities using advanced AI. Develops speeches using IFAD authorized AI tools available on Blossem, Harvest and CoPilot Pro and any new tools and co-design new agents that become available in the future, in cooperation with ICT AI specialists. Develop better coordination and workflow management, exploring ICT solutions, around a compendium of all IFAD senior management speeches which can be worked through in house AI systems.

Key Performance Indicators

The performance of the incumbent is assessed based on the strategic relevance, quality, and timeliness of their communications outputs and their contribution to IFAD's visibility, stakeholder engagement, and reputation. Effective execution of communication plans, alignment of messaging with corporate priorities, and the ability to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences are essential indicators of success. The incumbent is expected to demonstrate sound judgment, creativity, and initiative in content development, and to contribute proactively to team collaboration and knowledge sharing.

The performance of the incumbent is assessed based on the quality, accuracy and appropriateness of efforts to position IFAD leadership, including through speeches and statements for IFAD senior managers, principally the IFAD President and Vice President. It is key that the incumbent be able to take complex, technical information and frame it for priority audiences and settings, as well as to identify and implement opportunities for leadership positioning.

Working Relationships

The incumbent maintains effective working relationships across IFAD departments, divisions and regional offices, serving as a key interface for communication-related matters. They engage regularly with internal stakeholders at all levels to gather information, provide advice, and ensure that communication efforts are integrated and consistent. Externally, the incumbent may liaise with media, development partners, service providers, and UN counterparts, representing IFAD in outreach, events, and collaborative initiatives.

This role requires daily interaction with the Office of the President and Vice-President, senior leadership, and GPR/ERD to plan, refine, revise and clear leadership positioning. Works closely with other Communications Officers in media and digital communications working on similar themes or events where consistency and alignment across venues and platforms is important to present a strong brand and messaging.

Job Profile Requirements

Organizational Competencies:

Level 1:

• Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains effective working relationships
• Communicating and negotiating - Communicates effectively; creates understanding between self and others
• Demonstrating leadership - Personal leadership and attitude to change
• Focusing on clients - Focuses on clients
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge & innovates
• Managing time, resources and information - Manages own time, information and resources effectively
• Problem-solving and decision-making - Demonstrates sound problem-solving and decision-making ability
• Strategic thinking and organizational development - Personal influence
• Team working - Contributes effectively to the team

Education:

• Level - Advanced university degree from an accredited institution. The advanced university degree may be substituted by a first university degree and at least four (4) additional years of relevant professional experience over and above the minimum number of years of experience as stipulated below.
• Areas - Communications, Journalism, Social Sciences or other relevant discipline

Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php

Experience:

• At least five (5) years of practical professional experience as a writer drafting high-quality materials, including speeches, in English is required,
• Five (5) years of practical experience in communications and public information or journalism is required. communications or publishing.
• Thorough knowledge of international political, economic and social affairs and of the United Nations itself is an asset.
• Proven expertise in researching, writing and editing speeches, talking points and other spoken and written communications on behalf of senior international figures.
• Demonstrated experience in writing for publication and for oral delivery, e.g. speeches, Op-eds and talking points
• Strong understanding of development, multilateral organizations, and global thematic issues and debates relevant to IFAD's mandate
• Knowledge of research practices, evaluation of reputational risks, strategic positioning and audience-focused messaging.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership positioning.

Languages:

• Required: English (4 - Excellent)
• Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 - Good)

Skills:

• Advocacy: Ability to leverage IFAD knowledge and/or communication materials to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFAD`s vision and strategic priorities to external actors
• Communication strategy: Expert in planning and implementing internal and external communication to achieve communication objectives: defining communication goals, target audience, creating a communication plan and identifying the right channels. Expert in communication concepts, processes, or data to support long term goals of the organisation;
• IFAD governance & mandate: In depth knowledge of IFAD`s governance structure, mandate, strategic priorities and technical work
• Specialized communication skills: Technical know-how relevant to the specific communication role considered (e.g. communication planning, building and maintaining media relations, video production, publishing, web and other digital media, graphic design, visual identity, brand management, internal communication and events management)
• Verbal communication: Ability to use verbal communication as a main tool in profession; clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language
• Written communication: Ability to use written communication as a main tool in profession, including for speech writing; clear, succinct and convincing written communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language
• Analytical skills: Outstanding ability to analyse and synthesize qualitative and/or quantitative information from a variety of sources and filter out key insights and recommendations
• Performance management: Know-how in managing performance, learning management, establishing learning plans and ensuring staff supervised meet their development needs while meeting the needs of IFAD
• Risk management (e.g. reputational): Identification and assessment of potential liabilities and risks in IFAD's activities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties; ability to handle risks via contingency and mitigation strategies
• Stakeholder management: Strong alignment capabilities and consultation skills, building on effective interactions and relationships with different stakeholders (e.g. for the co-creation of communication material with member states) and ability to build and maintain a strong network (e.g. with journalists, media outlets, etc.)
• Planning: Know-how in the planning of human, financial and material management of IFAD resources
• Adaptability: Adaptability and flexibility when facing new or unexpected situations, and to specific constraints and circumstances and managing complex processes
• Initiative and good judgment: High sense of proactive initiative-taking and good judgement (including on security matters)
• Leadership: Group thought leader, sought out by others and providing mentorship and effective guidance to others; Ability to build trust, inside and outside the organization by acting as a role model for IFAD's core values and competencies, and to provide a clear sense of direction, mentorship and effective guidance to the team, strategizing the IFAD's goals, giving the vision, empowering the team and ensuring a positive environment for all.
• Political acumen: Ability to conduct sound political analysis and understand complex environments, providing options and advice
• Strategic mindset: Proactive, ongoing identification of strategic opportunities, potential synergies and partnerships
• Synthesis: Outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences

Other Information

Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD's Human Resources Policy, the President can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in IFAD.

IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on ethnic, social, or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size, or sexual orientation. This is in line with our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and our Policy to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please refer to the UN disability-inclusive language guidelines.

Please be aware of fraudulent job offers. IFAD does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Official communication from IFAD will always come from e-mails ending in @ifad.org.

In accordance with IFAD's provisions, all new staff members will normally be placed at the first step in the grade level for which they have been selected. For information on IFAD's remuneration package, please visit IFAD's compensation and benefits page on our website. Applicants are invited to use the ICSC compensation calculator to estimate the salary and benefit entitlements.
Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.

In the interest of making most cost-effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful.