Communications & Knowledge Management Specialist

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center is seeking an innovative, dynamic & multi skilled candidate to join its office in Lahore, Pakistan, as a Communications & Knowledge Management Specialist. 

This is a readvertisement of the position, therefore If you have applied before, please do not reapply. Thank you for your understanding.

The Communications & Knowledge Management Specialist will support the implementation of the FCDO-funded Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan (WRAP) Programme: Component 1 [Climate Resilient Solutions for Improving Water Governance (CRS-IWaG)] in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in accordance with the quality standards and guidelines of UK Aid, with input from project leaders and researchers. 

The incumbent will ensure that Component 1- CRS-IWaG outputs are of high quality and conform to the WRAP Marking Plan. The Communications & Knowledge Management Specialist will ensure the WRAP Knowledge Management Strategy is implemented such that lessons learned and success stories reach key stakeholders and the public to promote and highlight the outcomes and impact of WRAP CRS-IWaG in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Support the implementation of WRAP CRS-IWaG communication and knowledge management strategy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in close coordination with IWMI’s Communications & Knowledge Management team in Pakistan and HQ. 

• Participate in weekly 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) cover WRAP’s Success stories for websites, global newsletters, and other outlets. Liaise with authors and reviewers for edits and approvals. Follow the blended FCDO and IWMI’s style guide. 

• Support WRAP’s team leader and researcher’s presence at sub-national, national, regional and international 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, success stories, factsheets, presentations, reports, infographics, posters, etc.) to advance IWMI’s corporate and WRAP’s objectives, focused on impacts and results specifically in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

• Prepare social media content from the WRAP projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab Provinces for IWMI’s official global accounts. 

• Liaise with WRAP project leader and researchers in Pakistan for potential content and outreach materials, and to ensure technical quality. If required, lead or support the design and implementation of communications plans for WRAP’s activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

• Liaise with partners and stakeholders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to produce project communications materials. 

• Liaise with sub-national, national and regional media and organize press conferences and journalists’ visits to the field in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as needed. Support proactive media outreach and engagement activities. 

• Coordinate with IWMI’s Communications and Knowledge Management team in HQ to produce videos, capturing success stories and project impacts according to quality standards and guidelines. Once approved, lead the editorial aspect of video projects, to highlight project impact and results through storytelling. Ensure UK Aid and IWMI 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 WRAP’s activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Pakistan, 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 Pakistan and 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 donor and IWMI branding guidelines and funders’ visibility requirements. 

• Support the implementation of internal communications strategies and activities, as required. 

• Compile media contacts for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and add them to global media lists, for targeted sub-national, 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. 

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: 

Essential, 

• Master’s degree in mass communications, journalism, international development, sociology, economics, or a related field 

• Minimum 08 years of relevant work 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. 

• Experience crafting messages for media, social media, speeches, and other formats. 

• Proven experience with proactive media relations and outreach in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. 

Desirable, 

• Prior experience working with FCDO projects. 

• Experience working in an international work environment. 

• Experience liaising and coordinating with officials in other agencies. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED: 

Essential, 

• Excellent oral, writing and editing skills in English. Demonstrated experience writing and editing success stories, scripts, reports, knowledge products, and other communication materials in English. 

• High level of proficiency with Microsoft office 365 package (particularly Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and Teams), web applications, and digital tools. 

• Multimedia skills, including photography, video, and audio production. 

• Good written and spoken skills in Urdu and Pushto. 

• Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to handle multiple deadlines and a variety of projects and tasks. 

• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to grasp scientific and technical concepts and communicate them clearly and persuasively to various audiences. 

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment, 

• Ability to work independently with a high level of autonomy, initiative, expert judgment, adaptability, and flexibility. 

• Strong work ethic, professionalism, and integrity. 

• Ability and willingness to undertake travel to field locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with limited facilities and support. 

Desirable, 

• Knowledge of diversity, inclusion, discrimination, and gender issues in Pakistan. 

• Presentation and facilitation skills. 

Benefits

This is a nationally recruited position and only Pakistani 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.

IWMI strongly values diversity; therefore, qualified women are highly encouraged to apply.

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 November 26, 2024 (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.