icipe is a pan-African and non-profit Centre of Excellence for research and development and capacity building in insect science and its applications. Its mission is to help alleviate poverty, ensure food and nutritional security and improve the overall health status of peoples of the tropics by developing and extending management tools and strategies for harmful and useful arthropods, while preserving the natural resource base through research and capacity building. Since its establishment in 1970, icipe has become a significant contributor to science and innovation required to meet the health and food security challenges of sub-Saharan Africa.
The Centre has achieved this status by developing alternative and environmentally friendly pest and vector management technologies and products that are effective, selective, non-polluting, non-resistance inducing, and are affordable to resource-limited rural and urban communities. icipe is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with offices in Ethiopia and Uganda, a major station on the shores of Lake Victoria, and several other field stations in Kenya. Employing close to 500 international and national staff, icipe also has approximately 150 graduate students who contribute to its research portfolio annually. The Centre currently has operations in more than 40 African countries, and thriving partnerships with universities and research organizations across the world. (www.icipe.org)Please also download icipe’s
Vision and Strategy 2021–2025: http://www.icipe.org/system/files_force/about/corporate_publications_files/icipe_Vision_and_Strategy_2021- 2025.pdf
icipe seeks to recruit a Business Support Officer I
(Communications) in the Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) of the Regional
Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF). The position is tenable at icipe’s Duduville
Campus. This is a two-year contract, renewable subject to continued project
needs, funding for the position, and performance of the staff member. This is a
nationally recruited position. A competitive compensation package will be
offered to the right candidate. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Overall purpose of the job
The Regional Scholarship
and Innovation Fund (RSIF – https://www.rsif-paset.org/) is one of the flagship
programmes of the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and
Technology (PASET), an initiative by African governments to address systemic
gaps in skills and knowledge necessary for long term, sustained economic growth
in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). PASET was launched in 2013 by the governments of
Senegal, Ethiopia and Rwanda. The governments of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte
d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda and Senegal have since joined the
initiative, while several others (i.e. Nigeria, Tanzania) have expressed
commitment to enter the partnership.
With funding from
African governments, the World Bank, the European Union and the Korean
government, RSIF supports PhD training, research and innovation in selected
African universities that are centres of excellence in fields identified by
PASET as priority economic sectors for growth and development, including
climate change, energy, food security, ICT and mining and materials science. A
competitive grants scheme, RSIF is funded through two components: (i) the
general fund, which supports PhD training, research and innovation projects
annually and (ii) the permanent or endowment fund, whose return proceeds will
become part of the general fund.
In July 2018, the
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe; www.icipe.org) was appointed the Regional
Coordination Unit (RCU) of RSIF. The mandate of the RCU includes management of
the two funds; supporting the capacity of the universities and partnering
institutions to manage the PhD scholarships; creating partnerships with governments,
universities and national and international research organisations for research
training, e.g. through sandwich training, to promote collaboration with and
among the centres of excellence.
Furthermore, icipe introduces
African governments and other potential strategic partners to PASET with the
aim of growing RSIF and ensuring continued continent-wide reach and support.
Reporting to the Senior
Communications Specialist, and with the support of the icipe Communications
Unit, the Business Support Officer I (Communications) will
be an integral part of the team. The post-holder will have the responsibility
of ensuring effective, outcome-oriented internal communication (between RCU
team members and the overall icipe community);
intra-agency communication (among partnering governments, centres of excellence
etc.); and external communication (including potential grantees, funders and
the general public).
Specific Duties
The Business Support
Officer I (Communications) will undertake tasks that include, but are not
limited to, the following:
- Contribute
to the implementation of a communication and awareness strategy, in clear
alignment to the mandate of the RCU, and the goals and objectives of RSIF
and
- Support
the development of the channels and tools necessary for the implementation
of the communication and outreach strategy, including digital platforms
such as a programme microsite, social media accounts
- Support
the development of innovative, compelling and clearly targeted RSIF
communication products, including editorial, design, videography and
photography aspects, for outputs such as news items, human interest
features, case studies, newsletters, brochures, factsheets
- Collaborate
with RCU team members to identify and respond to communication needs
across stakeholders and
- Support
the creation and management, including regular updating, of a mailing
- Assist
in the preparation and dissemination of programme reports in a timely and
effective manner, and effect proper processes for sharing, documenting and
archiving of
- Design
and layout artwork for RSIF’s Information, Education and Communication
(IEC)
- Maintain
a monthly social media and blogging calendar for content creation and
- Profile
the PhD scholars for various RSIF
- Compile
and update media contact lists in countries of RSIF
- Any
other tasks
Requirements/Qualifications
- A
relevant diploma or first degree in science, social science, journalism,
communications or other related
- At
least 1 year of conducting communication functions for an international
organization
- Qualifications
in print and electronic media, development communication, and information
management are highly desirable
Core Competencies
- Demonstrable
experience in writing, editing, designing, web design management,
blogging, use of Web 0 and social media tools.
- Experience
in supporting communications and/or media relations in a knowledge
intensive
- Proficiency
in Microsoft Office
- Knowledge
of and skills in desktop publishing, HTML, photography and photo
- Fluent
English language skills, both written and
Other Desirable Attributes
- Excellent
interpersonal skills, organizational skills and pays great attention to
- Action-oriented
and resilient in a fast-paced
- Ability
to manage a complex and varied workload and work under
Reporting
This position reports to
the Senior Communications Specialist.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications will be accepted up to 5th July 2021. Interested
applicants should submit: (a) a confidential cover letter;
(b) detailed CV with
names and addresses of 3 referees, including e-mail addresses; and (c) a
statement illustrating suitability against the listed
qualifications/competencies/ abilities, and skills.
Candidates are required
to apply online through: http://recruit.icipe.org or by Email: recruitment@icipe.org
icipe is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural
work environment that values gender equity, teamwork, and respect for diversity.
