Communications Manager – NGO (ILRI)

About the role

ILRI is recruiting a full-time, on-site Communications Manager in Nairobi. The role leads the design, refinement and execution of the REAP programme's integrated communications strategy, manages media relations, coordinates outreach and promotes the organisation's research and development work. The employer is listed as Corporate Staffing Services.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the external positioning and influence strategy, repositioning the livestock feed sector through peer-led, influencer-driven and edutainment content.
• Own the digital influencer and ambassador strategy, including vetting frameworks, brand-safety clauses and exit mechanisms, and oversee its scale-up across the programme.
• Coordinate communications across consortium institutions and country teams, keeping messaging coherent and aligned.
• Drive strategic partnerships with high-level partners, media, government counterparts and platforms to expand regional and continental visibility.
• Ensure consistent internal communication and learning exchange, working with MEL to share evidence and learning.
• Help develop the evidence-based investment case for youth-led feed enterprises, translating programme data for investors, lenders and policymakers.
• Mentor the PMU Communications Officer and country-level Communications Managers, and ensure brand integrity and risk management across countries.

Required profile

• Master's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, International Development or a related field (a Bachelor's with significant additional experience may be considered).
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, preferably in international development, research-for-development or donor-funded programmes.
• Experience leading communications for multi-country or multi-partner consortium programmes.
• Experience designing influencer, ambassador or creator-partnership programmes at scale, and managing donor reporting and relations, ideally with foundations such as the Mastercard Foundation.
• Experience supervising and mentoring communications staff across multiple locations.

Required skills

• Digital and multimedia storytelling, including social media, video and campaign management.
• Sound knowledge of the creator/influencer economy and youth-relevant platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp), including brand safety.
• Excellent English writing and editing; French or another regional language is an advantage.
• Stakeholder engagement, project management and cross-cultural team leadership.