Communications Officer
World Vegetable Center
Cotonou,Benin
Agronomie, Agroalimentaire
Communications Officer
SAFEVEG-West Africa ProjectCotonou, Benin
The World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) is a non-profit, autonomous international agriculturalresearch center with headquarters in Taiwan and five regional offices around the globe. WorldVegconducts research and development programs that contribute to realize the potential of vegetablesfor healthier lives and more resilient livelihoods. For more information please visit our website :worldveg.org
WorldVeg seeks a highly experienced individual to design and deliver effective communicationstrategies and materials to promote activities of a 5-year project entitled “Safe locally producedvegetables for West Africa’s consumers” (SAFEVEG) among relevant stakeholders and through variousmedia. SAFEVEG is funded by the European Union and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs andis expected to commence during the last quarter of 2020. The Project will strengthen the role,production and availability of vegetables in local food systems in West Africa, thereby contributing toclimate resilience across the vegetable value chain, increased incomes for and sustainable land use bysmallholder farmers, and better nutrition for farm families and other consumers. SAFEVEG will beimplemented in Benin, Burkina Faso, and Mali and will operate around urban centers in each country,involving rural and peri-urban farmers. SAFEVEG also aims to strengthen the capacity of nationalagricultural research systems and other partners in vegetable research and development and togenerate evidence on the impact of policies and interventions promoting vegetable consumption andproduction. WorldVeg’s principal partners in this project are: INRAB (Benin), INERA (Burkina Faso), IER(Mali), CIRAD (France), and Wageningen University & Research (The Netherlands).The Communications Officer will promote knowledge, understanding and coverage of horticulture fordevelopment in the three SAFEVEG countries, and build awareness and interest in the activities andoutcomes of the Project and the work of WorldVeg. The position will be based at WorldVeg’s RegionalOffice for West and Central Africa – Coastal and Humid Regions (WCA-CH) in Cotonou, Benin andreport to the SAFEVEG Project Manager.
Key job responsibilities :• With the Project Manager and Center’s Director of Communications, develop and implementa communication strategy for the SAFEVEG project.• Oversee project documentation and public visibility.• Develop and disseminate project-related information to partners and stakeholders, includinga regular ‘news roundup’ email.
• Contribute stories to Fresh, the Center’s bimonthly newsletter, and posts for the Center’swebsite, Facebook page, and other social media.• Document project activities by taking basic photos and video, or coordinate with contractorsthat provide these services.• Compile and maintain a database of media and project contacts.• Serve as press liaison with key organizations, journalists and correspondents; track pressinquiries.• Coordinate special events and forums with project team.• Liaise with Communications Specialists in partner organizations.• Assist with other aspects of media work and related services for the regional office as directedby the WCA-CH Regional Director.• Work with the Director of Communications to implement the Center’s overallcommunications strategy, particularly through forward planning of activities.
The Person :• Master’s degree (BAC+5) in Public Relations, Mass Communication, Journalism or related field.• Strong communication skills in both spoken and written French and English.• Experience in media relations.• Excellent writing skills. Must be able to communicate complex information in a lively, accurateand readable manner in a variety of formats, including press releases, magazine articles,newsletters, websites and social media, targeted at a range of audiences.• Ability to reliably organize work, manage time, determine priorities and meet deadlines.• Strong interpersonal skills, including networking, tact and diplomacy.• Experience in agriculture/horticulture, international development.• Good knowledge of computer tools.• Able to work with multidisciplinary teams in a multicultural and multinational environment.• Willingness to travel to project focus countries outside Benin as needed.
The Reward : This is a Nationally Recruited Staff position with competitive pay and benefits. Theposition is only open to Benin nationals or candidates with legal permission to work in Benin. The initialappointment is for one year and may be extended depending on requirement, funding availability, andperformance of the incumbent. The position is expected to be available on or after November 1, 2020.
How to Apply : Applicants should submit a letter of application explaining their suitability for andinterest in the position along with their curriculum vitae, a recent passport size photograph, namesand addresses (including telephone/fax/e-mail) of three referees, and date of availability. Please sendapplications stating the job title by e-mail to worldvegbenin@gmail.combefore September 4, 2020.POSTULER