Head of Communications

CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.For more information, visit cimmyt.org.CIMMYT is looking for an outstanding, self-motivated, and result-oriented professional for the position of Head of Communications, to lead strategic communications efforts to support fundraising, advocate for CIMMYT's mission and amplify impact as we advance a more foodThe location of this position will be Texcoco, Mexico.**Specific duties**:**Strategy**- Design, lead, and execute a global communications plan aligned with CIMMYT’s mission.- Lead strategic communications to support fundraising efforts including targeted donor communication plans and program communications implementation.- Provide strategic communications counsel to CIMMYT’s executive and leadership team.- Liaise and coordinate with the CGIAR Communications & Outreach Global Group in areas of cross- collaboration including events, global campaigns, branding and funder acknowledgements, thought-leadership narratives, key messages, media outreach activities, digital publishing.- Provide input into the strategy and operational planning of other chapters to ensure strong representation for CIMMYT in global communication efforts and initiatives.- Coordinate across teams to manage internal, external, event and regional communications across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. - Keep appraised of the latest communication trends and technologies, ensuring that the company is using the most effective tools and strategies.- Manage and implement crisis communication plans to ensure that the company is prepared to respond to negative events.- Participate in Board meetings and committees as needed.**Creative Hub**- Ensure consistent brand expression and powerful visuals through creative services.- Manage and edit a wide variety of information, knowledge and corporate products as required, ensuring that content is delivered to the highest quality and according to requirements.- Establish and enforce editorial policies and procedures, in line with C&O global policies and procedures.- Translate CIMMYT’s mission and projects in concrete, tangible storylines with high human interest. Contribute to CGIAR publishing as required.- Ensure that the company's brand voice is consistent across all regions and communication channels.**Media Relations**- Lead proactive and reactive media outreach, securing coverage that aligns with CIMMYT’s key audiences and regions.- Serve as a spokesperson for the organization, representing its mission and impact to the public.- Manage the team working with on- and offline media. Maintain relationships with top-tier media outlets and journalists.- Work with the team to prep executives and leadership team members and other scientific spokespeople.- Manage crisis communications and the potential for negative coverage.- Guide and approve final versions of external content, working with a team of content developers to amplify CIMMYT’s messages.**Social and Digital Communications**- Lead digital communications to support communications goals and objectives.- Oversee strategic decisions on channels, digital strategies, and campaigns.- Oversee CIMMYT’s communications and outreach digital platforms and regularly provide analysis and recommendations for improvements.- Provide quarterly CIMMYT’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for social media, media, website, and publications.**Internal Communications**- Lead, mentor, and manage a team of development professionals, ensuring they have the necessary resources and support to succeed.- Develop and manage the DFS department budget, track fundraising performance, and report on progress to the Board and leadership.- Lead annual plans, regular 1:1s and annual appraisals to ensure objectives and targets are accomplished.- Develop and lead the development of strategic and annual plans, regular 1:1s with managers, and annual appraisals to ensure objectives and targets are accomplished.- Promote collaborative work across the department.- Develop and maintain systems to monitor and evaluate the objectives and activities of the team including reporting on performance.- Develop and utilize systems to monitor and evaluate the achievement of objectives and activities of the Department including reporting on performance.**Executive Communications**- Oversee executive communications to ensure CIMMYT’s key m