Executive Communications Lead

About the role

The Executive Communications Lead provides high-level communications support to the CEO and senior leadership at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), ensuring leadership communicates with clarity, consistency, authority and impact across internal and external audiences. Reporting to the Director of Communications, the role acts as a strategic writer, researcher and communications adviser, developing executive communications across formats, preparing leaders for major engagements and working with corporate, regional and program communications teams.

Key responsibilities

• Draft and edit speeches, keynote addresses, talking points, briefing notes, presentations, correspondence, statements and other executive communications, and develop concise executive briefs.
• Prepare leaders for meetings, interviews, panels, conferences and donor engagements, adapting content to each executive's style while keeping the organization's positioning consistent.
• Support the CEO and senior leadership as authoritative voices on the organization's mission, draft or coordinate social media content, opinion pieces, commentaries and forewords, and monitor global developments.
• Provide research and analysis, verify facts and statistics, work with technical experts on scientific accuracy, and maintain background materials and key messages.
• Prepare communications packages for major events, conferences, summits and bilateral meetings, including speeches, session briefs, participant profiles and anticipated questions.
• Draft internal messages to staff, support preparation for staff meetings and town halls, and advise on tone and sequencing for sensitive issues.
• Coordinate with corporate, regional, program, media, digital, events and creative teams, and maintain editorial quality control and an executive voice.

Required profile

• Advanced degree in communications, journalism, international relations, public policy, environmental studies or another relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5-10+ years of progressively responsible communications experience, including substantial experience supporting executives or senior leaders.
• Proven experience producing speeches, talking points, executive briefs, presentations and high-level correspondence.
• Experience on international policy, development, science or environment issues strongly preferred.

Required skills

• Exceptional English writing and editing skills, able to write for senior executives.
• Ability to translate complex scientific, policy and organizational issues into compelling communications.
• Strong political and organizational judgement, discretion and intellectual curiosity.