1.CEO and Senior
Leadership Communications
- Provide strategic communications support to the CEO and other
members of senior leadership.
o Draft and edit speeches, keynote addresses, talking points,
briefing notes, presentations, correspondence, statements and other executive
communications.
o Develop concise executive briefs that synthesize complex issues,
organizational positions and relevant external developments.
o Prepare leaders for meetings, interviews, panels, conferences,
donor engagements and other high-level interactions.
o Adapt content to the communication style, voice and priorities of
individual executives while maintaining consistency with the organization’s
positioning.
o Anticipate communications needs and proactively identify
opportunities for leadership engagement.
2. Executive
Positioning and Thought Leadership
- Support the positioning of the CEO and senior leadership as
authoritative voices on issues central to the organization’s mission.
o Identify opportunities for executive thought leadership linked to
organizational priorities and major global policy agendas.
o Develop narratives, messages and evidence that strengthen
executive positioning.
o Draft or coordinate executive social media content, opinion
pieces, commentaries, forewords and other thought-leadership products.
o Monitor relevant global developments and identify issues on which
senior leadership should communicate or engage.
o Work with communications colleagues to connect executive
visibility with broader institutional campaigns and priorities.
3. Research and
Strategic Briefing
- Provide high-quality research and analysis to underpin executive
communications.
o Conduct rapid research on policy, scientific, political, economic
and institutional issues relevant to leadership engagements.
o Distill complex information into clear, decision-useful briefs and
messages.
o Verify facts, statistics, quotations and references used in
executive communications.
o Work with technical experts across the organization to ensure
scientific accuracy while maintaining accessible and compelling language.
o Maintain relevant background materials, key messages,
organizational facts and evidence for executive use.
4. Major Events and
High-Level Convenings
- Provide communications and substantive preparation for major
international events, leadership meetings and strategic convenings.
o Develop executive communications packages for major conferences,
summits, bilateral meetings, donor engagements and organizational events.
o Prepare speeches, talking points, session briefs, participant
profiles, anticipated questions and background materials.
o Support development of the strategic narrative and leadership
objectives for priority events.
o Coordinate with events, media, digital and program teams before,
during and following major engagements.
o Identify opportunities to extend the impact of executive
participation through media, digital communications and follow-up engagement.
5. Internal
Leadership Communications
- Support clear and consistent communication between senior
leadership and staff.
o Draft CEO and senior leadership messages to staff, including
organizational updates, strategic announcements and communications around
significant institutional developments.
o Support preparation for staff meetings, town halls, leadership
forums and other internal engagements.
o Help maintain consistency between internal and external leadership
messaging.
o Advise on tone, sequencing and communication approaches for
sensitive or complex organizational issues.
6. Coordination
Across Communications
- Ensure executive communications are integrated with the
organization’s wider communications program.
o Work closely with corporate, regional, program and project
communications teams to identify priorities, evidence, stories and
opportunities for executive engagement.
o Coordinate with media, digital, events, publications and creative
teams to maximize the impact of leadership communications.
o Ensure executive messaging reflects organizational strategy,
positioning and brand.
o Maintain effective workflows for commissioning, reviewing and
approving executive communications.
o Build strong working relationships with technical experts and
leadership offices across the organization.
7. Editorial
Quality and Executive Voice
- Maintain exceptional editorial standards across all executive
communications.
o Ensure communications are concise, compelling, accurate,
audience-appropriate and aligned with organizational priorities.
o Maintain a recognizable and authentic executive voice across
speeches, correspondence, presentations and digital channels.
o Apply rigorous editorial quality control, including fact-checking,
consistency and appropriate use of evidence.
o Translate technical and scientific language into accessible
narratives without compromising accuracy.
o Develop and maintain executive messaging, style and voice guidance
where appropriate.
Requirements
- Advanced degree in communications, journalism, international
relations, public policy, environmental studies or another relevant discipline,
or equivalent professional experience.
- 5–10+ years of progressively responsible communications
experience, including substantial experience supporting executives or senior
leaders.
- Exceptional English-language writing and editing skills, with
demonstrated ability to write effectively for senior executives.
- Proven experience producing speeches, talking points, executive
briefs, presentations and high-level correspondence.
- Experience working on international policy, development, science,
environment or related issues strongly preferred.
Skills Required
- Advanced degree in communications, journalism, international relations, public policy, environmental studies, or another relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
- 5-10+ years of progressively responsible communications experience.
- Substantial experience supporting executives or senior leaders.
- Exceptional English-language writing and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to write for senior executives.
- Proven experience producing speeches, talking points, executive briefs, presentations, and high-level correspondence.
- Experience working on international policy, development, science, environment, or related issues.
What We Do
CIFOR-ICRAF is a collaborative research organization and a global leader in using trees, forests, and agroforestry to tackle global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, and inequality, by enhancing landscape resilience.







