Crop Trust: Science Communications Specialist

The Global Crop Diversity Trust is an international organization with Headquarters in Bonn, Germany whose mission is to ensure the conservation and availability of crop diversity for food security worldwide. For further information about the Global Crop Diversity Trust, consult the web page at http://croptrust.org The Global Crop Diversity Trust is seeking an outstanding candidate for the position of:

Science Communications Specialist

Under the joint supervision of the Director of Science and Programs and the Director of Partnerships and Innovative Finance, and in close coordination with the Communications Manager, the Science Communications Specialist will support the whole of the Crop Trust with science writing as well as the management of the content of all websites of the organization. Specifically, the Science Communications Specialist will:

• Develop ideas, source information, produce written content and process it through clearance in support of the Crop Trust’s mission, in particular on the impact of the organization’s projects and programs;

• Liaise on a regular basis with partners (genebank managers, scientists and communication officers of partner institutions) to identify communication opportunities and develop relevant written content;

• Manage and update all websites for which the Crop Trust is responsible (institutional, Genebank Platform, CWR Project and Genesys) as to content, design and user experience, in consultation with relevant staff members and partners;

• Assist in the development and implementation of the CWR Project editorial calendar; create and develop CWR Project communications content based on project outputs and partner reports, including feature stories, profiles, Q&As, interactive stories, policy briefs, and blogs;

• Coordinate and develop ideas and activities to promote the outputs of the Genebank Platform and Platform partners in close coordination with CGIAR Centre communication specialists;

• Coordinate inputs to, research, write and distribute a regular email newsletter for the Genebank Platform and contribute to the CWR Project newsletter;

• In coordination with the Communications Manager, perform social media activities in various channels, including Twitter, Facebook and Flickr;

• Contribute to maintaining relationships with media, pitching stories and responding to information requests;

• Assist in management of databases of journalists and media outlets that are relevant to the organization and cover science/agricultural topics;

• Contrib ute to the writing of proposals and reports across the organization;

• Attend events and meetings where there are opportunities to develop knowledge products or stories, subject to available budgets;

• Attend weekly meetings of the Partnerships and Communications Team to ascertain coherence of science – related communications with the overall communications strategy and delivery of the Crop Trust;

• Perform any other duties as required.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• University degree in the biological/agricultural sciences and of relevance to the plant genetic resources area with minimum of 5 years relevant work experience in science communications, preferably in an international environment; or

• University degree in Journalism, English or related field with minimum of 5 years relevant work experience writing scientific communication material (preferably in the plant genetic 2 resources area), in an international environment;

• Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken with the ability to present information clearly and concisely, including demonstrated competency in using various forms and channels;

• Fluency in further languages of relevance to the Crop Trust is a plus;

• Demonstrated initiative, judgment, creativity and analytical abilities;

• Ability to multitask and to work with a high degree of independence within assigned areas;

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to interact effectively with a wide range of collaborators from different cultural backgrounds;

• Ability to perform substantive editing of complex technical documents; ability to transform scientific information into terms that can be understood by non-specialist audiences;

• Experience using content management systems (CMS), uploading and updating stories online.

• Ability to keep up with news and able to find ways in which stories can be newsworthy, and in line with what is happening at present;

• Demonstrated interest in issues related to plant genetic resources, ex situ conservation, crop diversity, agriculture, plant-breeding, etc.;

• Experience managing social mediatools for similar organizations;

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to interact effectively with a wide range of collaborators from different cultural backgrounds.

Terms and Conditions:

The Crop Trust offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, non-contributory retirement savings plan, medical insurance and leave provisions. This is a Professional position classified as Level 4, with Level 6 being the highest. The salary range for Level 4 starts at Euro 55,000. All benefits are denominated and paid in Euros. Staff of the Global Crop Diversity Trust (including German nationals) are exempt from host country income tax. Relocation costs are covered for candidates residing outside of the Bonn/Cologne or surrounding areas. The initial contract will be for a period of 3 years, subject to a probationary period of 12 months.

Applications: Interested candida tes should submit the following (incomplete applications will not be considered):
1. A one-page summary of your qualifications and experience, indicating how you meet the expected set of skills and competencies for the position and your motivations for applying.
2. A portfolio 3-5 of published writing samples (please note that a writing test will be required prior to employment with the Crop Trust).
3. Your Curriculum Vitae in English (please include your current residence address, telephone, and email address, date of birth, gender and nationality);
4. Names and full contact details of at least three referees.

The above items should be sent to: Human Resources Office, Global Crop Diversity Trust, preferably by email at trustvacancy@croptrust.org Deadline for applications is 28 February 2017. Alternatively, applications can be sent by mail to the following address: Global Crop Diversity Trust, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 7, Bonn, Germany. All mailed applications must be postmarked by the above deadline. Please quote source of advertisement.

The Trust is an equal opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality. All applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Source: Notification Crop Trust, 30.01.2017