Junior Communications Consultant At International Maize and Wheat Improvement

The Communications department of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is seeking a candidate for a one-year, paid consultancy.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is the global leader in publicly-funded maize and wheat research and related farming systems. Headquartered near Mexico City, CIMMYT works with hundreds of partners throughout the developing world to sustainably increase the productivity of maize and wheat cropping systems, thus improving global food security and reducing poverty. CIMMYT is a member of the CGIAR System and leads the CGIAR Research Programs on Maize and Wheat, and the Excellence in Breeding Platform. The Center receives support from national governments, foundations, development banks and other public and private agencies.

The Junior Communications Consultant will be based in the organization’s global headquarters in Texcoco, 40 km outside of Mexico City. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she/he might start working remotely, but will shift to in-office work once it is safe.

This position is a writer and editor to support all CIMMYT Communications activities, including:

• Manage the news section of CIMMYT’s intranet, InSide CIMMYT. Develop internal communications networks to collect content. Edit and publish content.
• Write, edit and proof articles for the CIMMYT website, InSide CIMMYT, reports, brochures and other institutional marketing tools promoting CIMMYT research findings, outputs, and activities.
• Develop and update content about projects, scientists, services and partnerships on CIMMYT’s websites.
• Provide communications support for legacy documentation, archiving and reporting for the CGIAR Research Programs on Maize and Wheat (Q4 2021).
• Manage CIMMYT’s monthly newsletter to stakeholders. Gather content, edit and publish using Mailchimp. Monitor and evaluate traffic and engagement through social media.
• Support media outreach efforts. Monitor media for agricultural development-related articles, CIMMYT mentions and help develop media contact list.
• Support CIMMYT’s social media coordinator by leading or contributing to campaigns, supplying content and helping draft messages and communications assets for Twitter, Flickr, Instagram and Facebook.
• Draft and edit content for leaflets, memos, posters, presentations and other internal documents.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the institution to coordinate internal and external events.
• Other communications and dissemination tasks, as assigned.

The ideal candidate will be able to commit for at least one year. She/he will have an undergraduate degree (preferably in communications and/or journalism). Excellent writing and editing skills in English are essential. Experience with Content Management Systems and social media would be an asset. Knowledge of Spanish, science, agriculture and agricultural development would be an advantage.

CIMMYT offers junior consultants a monthly stipend paid in US dollars and an airline ticket to and from Mexico. CIMMYT will assist in obtaining necessary travel documents, including a visa.

CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.