The position: The RCKM officer will be based in Nairobi, Kenya. The officer will report to the senior project manager for SASHA sweetpotato seed systems and RTB cluster lead for Quality seeds & access to improved varieties (CC2.1). The principal tasks and responsibilities will include, but not limited to the following:
Duties And Accountabilities
Project management activities: o Ensure timely preparation and review of project partner work plans, and budgets;
Ensure timely, accurate and comprehensive reporting from partners in the sweetpotato seed systems component on a quarterly basis. Prepare compilation of report analyzing and synthesizing progress on bi-annual basis;
Ensure adequate planning, preparation, logisticaland implementation arrangements for technical meetings, events, exhibitions;
Support yearly planning and reporting of the “Quality seeds & access to improved varieties cluster” activities in the RTB Research Portfolio;
Support the seed systems scientists in other activities as requested. Communication and knowledge management activities:
Ensure monthly distribution of updated information on cluster activities to immediate cluster members, Flagship Project leader, other cluster leaders, and the wider RTB community;
Strengthen and coordinate information and knowledge for the RTB seed systems community of practice;
Assist in the development and implementation of CKM strategies and activities to support outreach of RTB seed systems outputs to other researchers, practitioners, and potential partners;
Assist in the organization of major meetings and events related to the cluster and preparation of minutes;
In collaboration with the RTB Communications Office and the regional SSA communications staff coordinate the preparation of summaries, press releases, fact sheets, media kits etc. of key cluster outputs;
Facilitate the documentation of cluster experiences, achievements and lessons learned and the sharing of findings with relevant target groups, assisting in the editing of documents and the coordination of any graphics/formatting work;
Collaborate with the RTB PSU and data management team in appropriate documentation and archiving of communication and knowledge outputs.
Selection Criteria
MSc/MBA in project management, journalism, communication, marketing or a science- related area;
Five to eight years of professional experience in supporting project management in complex projects, including developing and implementing CKM strategies;
Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English, working knowledge of French, Spanish or Portuguese, preferable;
Demonstrated experience of strong and effective use of web-based collaborative tools Web 2.0 social media, websites, other communication forums and database management;
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
Ability to work in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams;
Proactive approach, with ability to find creative ways to solve problems;
Willingness to travel;
A Kenyan citizen.
Conditions: The employment contract will be for a two-year term (with a three-month probation period) with the possibility of renewal, subject to availability of funding.
