Communications Specialist

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center, is seeking a seasoned communications professional join its office in New Delhi, India, as a Communications Specialist.

The Communications Specialist will support the implementation of IWMI’s global communications strategy in India. 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 person will coordinate closely with the Communications & Knowledge Management team, as an integral part of its global systems and workflows. Further, the Specialist will provide communications and public relations support to the Country Representative, Project Leaders and a team of researchers undertaking various research projects in India.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The position holder will work closely with Country Representative and Communication & Knowledge Management team to:

• Support the implementation of IWMI’s global communications strategy in India, in close coordination with IWMI's Communications & Knowledge Management team in HQ.
• Participate in meetings of the Communications & Knowledge Management team and update planning tools, to ensure strategic alignment and a coordinated approach for content and upcoming events.
• 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. Follow IWMI’s style guide.
• Support IWMI’s presence at national and regional events (conferences, workshops, webinars, etc.). Prepare communications plans and key messages ahead of events. Provide communications and media support during events. Document events result through newsworthy articles and other materials.
• Develop audience-led communications outputs (briefs, factsheets, presentations, reports, infographics, posters, etc.) to advance IWMI’s corporate and project objectives, focused on impacts and results.
• Prepare social media content for IWMI’s official global accounts.
• Liaise with IWMI project leaders and researchers in India for potential content and outreach materials, and to ensure technical quality. If required, lead or support the design and implementation of communications plans for IWMI projects.
• Liaise with partners and stakeholders to produce project communications materials.
• Liaise with national and regional media and organize press conferences and journalists visits to the field, as needed. Support proactive media outreach and engagement activities.
• Coordinate with IWMI’s Communications and Knowledge Management team in HQ to produce video according to quality standards and guidelines. Once approved, lead the editorial aspect of video projects, to highlight project impact and results through storytelling. Ensure guidelines are followed and contract conditions are met before payment to consultants.
• Coordinate with IWMI’s Communications and Knowledge Management team in HQ for photographic documentation of IWMI activities in India, to ensure images are high-quality, capture areas of strategic interest, include complete caption info and metadata, and are ingested into the global photo library. Coordinate with photographers for editorial guidance. Ensure guidelines are followed and contract conditions are met before payment to consultants.
• Coordinate with IWMI’s Communications and Knowledge Management team in HQ for the engagement of consultants (for video production, photography, graphic design or other communications-related work) and provide guidance to ensure the timely delivery of quality outputs.
• Ensure compliance with IWMI branding guidelines and funders’ visibility requirements.
• Support the implementation of internal communications strategies and activities, as required.
• Compile media contacts for India and add them to global media lists, for targeted national, regional, and global outreach.
• Help increase global email marketing subscribers (adding partners, workshop participants and other stakeholders) for targeted mailings.
• 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 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 facilitation.

Desirable,

• Experience working in research organizations or multi-disciplinary research-for-development programs.
• Experience working in an international work environment.

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.
• 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 South Asia.
• Willingness to undertake travel to field location with limited facilities and support.

Desirable,

• Proficiency in Hindi and any regional language will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated understanding of water security, agricultural, environmental and development issues in India and South Asia.

Benefits

This is a nationally recruited position and only Indian nationals will be considered. IWMI offers a competitive salary and benefits package, inclusive of health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years with the possibility of extension.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on June 03, 2025 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.