Communications Officer (CIRAD)

Main description

Domain: Support - Communication
Type of contract: CDD
Title: Communications Officer
Start date: 01/09/2023
Job location: Hanoi, Vietnam

Job description

In continental Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam - and the link with China), CIRAD is working with its partners - research bodies, universities, agricultural departments - to gain a better understanding of the major issues involved in combating climate change, preserving biodiversity and improving health, with a view to helping to draw up national or regional public policies. In the Greater Mekong region, the agricultural sector is highly dynamic, with the emergence of new global players, and remains highly diversified. Southeast Asia and its Chinese neighbour are hotspots in terms of the risk of emerging infectious diseases. The many research-action projects carried out jointly with our partners aim to support the development of the sub-region, in favour of the rural world and global health, in the face of the economic weight of the major emerging neighbours.

The post of communications officer for this regional directorate has been created with the aim of raising awareness of CIRAD's activities and results in the region among the various target audiences.

The priority communication targets are local and regional decision-makers (politicians, officials from ministries or regional organisations such as ASEAN, APAARI, ASAIHL, WOAH, FAO, etc.), donors (European Union delegations, AFD country and regional office, etc.), the media, and CIRAD's current and potential partners (research, NGOs, etc.).

Secondary targets: Final beneficiaries of the research, students and the general public with an affinity with our fields.

Activities required:

To co-construct the annual communication plan, with the Regional Director and the Executive Assistant, in line with CIRAD's institutional communication strategy; this plan will have to activate the relevant communication levers to achieve the objectives: website, social networks, media relations, events, etc.
Produce news items based on projects carried out by researchers in the zone, workshops/project reports, research platforms news items, meetings with the Regional Director and events (news items on cirad.fr);
Design and send out the regional newsletter, in conjunction with CIRAD's webmaster
Update the Regional Direction web pages on the cirad.fr website (beyond news);
Obtaining relevant information, particularly results (during the course of the project) from project managers present in the area or heavily involved via field missions;
Designing and producing (alone or with the support of local service providers) print and audio-visual materials (videos, photo exhibitions, podcasts, etc.);
Propose and produce posts for the Regional Direction existing accounts [Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook] or those to be created (if necessary, to be assessed);
Drafting press releases and establishing relations with the local media and local correspondents of foreign media on the occasion of events, major results, etc;
Add photos taken at events to your news and posts;
Maintain relations with networks of communicators in the region: major CIRAD projects and partners that have their own communication officer (but for limited periods by definition), French embassies, AFD delegations, European Union delegations, national ministries (research, health, agriculture, environment, etc.);
Be a focal point for the communications delegation if an event or visit is organised in a country in the zone for 'guests' (institutions, media) from outside the zone;
Relaying and implementing CIRAD's central internal communications actions in the zone, with researchers
Take part in meetings with the Communications Delegation (by videoconference) and other Regional Direction communication officers (West Africa and Indian Ocean area for the moment);
Sharing best practice with other communicators in other Regional Directions.

Desired profile

Master's level 2 in communication or journalism studies.
At least 3 years' professional experience in a position in a public (research centre, university, NGO) or private organisation, a media outlet or a communications agency.
Ideally, experience in scientific and development-related subjects
An interest in subjects related to sustainable development and/or food, biodiversity, health, climate change, etc. (knowledge of the SDGs).

Qualifications:

Languages

English: fluent and excellent writing skills
French: good level of oral expression; good written level desirable

Other requirements

The basics of communication to get hard-hitting, clear, understandable messages across to a non-scientific audience;
Experience in press relations;
Mastery of PHOTOSHOP and/or CANVA to create visuals that communicate;
Good communication skills on social networks;
Knowledge of a CMS (Content Management System) for writing for websites is a plus but training will be provided;
Rigour, reliability;
Good interpersonal skills for working with different people and interacting with different audiences.
Ability to adapt to multicultural environments through experience of living abroad (studies, work experience, etc.).