Consultant - Communication & Donor Reporting

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center is seeking an innovative & multi skilled candidate to join its office in Anand, India as a Consultant – Communication & Donor Reporting to support the multi-year projects such as IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program and SE4RL.

The successful candidate will be responsible for writing, editing and creating content (e.g. blogs, newsletters, conference and workshop/webinar reports etc.) based on scientific outputs produced by the project technical team. The candidate will manage all communications and knowledge management aspects of the projects, including, developing content for the project website and other communication outlets. Excellent skills in understanding scientific content and writing it for general audience is a pre-requisite for this position. In addition, the candidate will help the IWMI-Anand Project Leader and team in planning and coordination of project activities, including tracking project timelines and deliverables; and carrying out regular follow-ups with the project team and partners.

• Support the implementation of IWMI’s global communications strategy, in close coordination with IWMI's Communications & Knowledge Management (CKM) team in HQ and the IWMI India Communications team in Delhi.
• Develop a communications plan for the ITP and SE4RL projects, as well as quarterly/annual workplans.
• Through the IWMI India Communications team, contribute to meetings of the global CKM team and update planning tools, to ensure strategic alignment and a coordinated approach for content and upcoming events.
• Support IWMI’s presence at national and regional events (conferences, workshops, webinars, etc.) related to these projects. Prepare communications plans and key messages ahead of events. Provide communications and media support during events. Document event results through newsworthy articles and other materials.
• Develop audience-led communications outputs (briefs, factsheets, presentations, reports, infographics, posters, etc.) to advance IWMI’s corporate and project objectives, focused on impacts and results.
• Compile annual/quarterly work plans and progress/final reports for the ITP and SE4RL projects and ensure timely submission to donors and IWMI HQ.
• Document and track performance of projects as per grant agreement to help in donor reporting.
• Assist the Project Leader in compiling relevant information from researchers, consultants, interns and partners for drafting, editing, finalizing and publishing periodic donor reports and project briefs.
• Assist the Project Leader in conceptualizing, planning and executing specific partner and donor engagement events including regular update meetings, field visits and project steering / advisory committee meetings.
• Manage the transfer of project deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials as per the standard IWMI procedures.
• Liaise with ITP and SE4RL lead and researchers for potential content and outreach materials, and to ensure technical quality.
• Liaise with ITP and SE4RL partners and stakeholders for the production of project communications materials.
• Write and edit articles (news, features, press releases, op-eds, success stories, profiles) for IWMI’s global websites, global newsletters, and other outlets. Liaise with authors and reviewers for edits and approvals. Follow IWMI’s style guide.
• Add partners, workshop participants and other stakeholders to IWM’s global and national database.
• Coordinate with IWMI’s CKM team in HQ for the production of ITP and SE4RL videos according to quality standards and guidelines. Once the initial concept is approved, lead the editorial aspect of video projects, to highlight project impact and results through storytelling. Ensure guidelines are followed and contract conditions are met before payment to consultants.
• Coordinate with IWMI’s CKM team in HQ for photographic documentation of IWMI activities related to the ITP and SE4RL projects, to ensure images are high-quality, capture areas of strategic interest, include complete caption info and metadata, and are ingested into the global photo library. Coordinate with photographers for editorial guidance. Ensure guidelines are followed and contract conditions are met before payment to consultants.
• Coordinate with PL and IWMI’s CKM team in HQ for the engagement of consultants (for video production, photography, graphic design, or other communications-related work) and provide guidance to ensure the timely delivery of quality outputs. Draft TORs and, once approved, initiate the contracting procedure, in consultation with the ITP and SE4RL project leader.
• Prepare social media content for IWMI’s official global accounts.
• Liaise with national and regional media and organize press conferences and journalists visits to the field, as needed. Support proactive media outreach and engagement activities.
• Compile media contacts related to the ITP and SE4RL projects and add them to global media lists, for targeted national, regional, and global outreach.
• Ensure compliance with IWMI branding guidelines and funders’ visibility requirements.
• Ensure the establishment and maintenance of proper electronic and paper filing systems for all project deliverables.
• Support the implementation of internal communications strategies and activities, as required.
• Carry out any other tasks identified as priorities by the ITP and SE4RL Project Leader.