Consultant, Senior Communications Specialist, ACF
The Organization
The Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation (ACF) is a strategic coalition of ambitious countries determined to act urgently, together. Launched at COP28 in Dubai, signatories to the Alliance are committing to driving bold, coordinated action, taking a 'whole of government' approach to transforming their food systems such that they deliver better outcomes across 5 key areas: Food nutrition and security; adaptation and resilience; equity and livelihoods; nature and biodiversity; and climate mitigation. ACF countries are working to improve their national food systems in ways that become attractive blueprints for others to follow, showcasing national leadership, facilitating learning, disseminating knowledge and accelerating innovation. ACF members include Brazil and Sierra Leone (co-chairs) plus Cambodia, Colombia, Italy, Norway, Rwanda and Vietnam.
About the position
On behalf of ACF, the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) is seeking a qualified Senior Communications Specialist to provide strategic communications support to the ACF Secretariat, contributing to the development and delivery of high-impact communications products that strengthen the visibility, credibility, and influence of the Alliance.
The consultant will support ACF's efforts to advance ambitious, country-led food systems transformation by developing communications strategies, messaging frameworks, thought leadership content, advocacy materials, and stakeholder engagement products. Working closely with the ACF Secretariat, member countries, communications partners, and other consultants, the consultant will contribute to positioning ACF as a recognized voice on food systems transformation through the production of high-quality communications outputs for key policy, advocacy, and global engagement opportunities.
Responsibilities
1. Strategic Communications and Positioning (30%)
* Develop and periodically update strategic communications recommendations aligned with ACF's advocacy and organizational objectives.
* Develop and refine messaging frameworks, narrative guidance, and positioning materials for priority policy and advocacy themes.
* Assess opportunities for strengthening ACF's visibility and influence across relevant policy areas, including climate, biodiversity, finance, resilience, security, health, and trade.
* Prepare strategic recommendations on priority communications opportunities, channels, audiences, and areas of focus.
* Develop guidance materials to support alignment between global ACF communications and member-country communications efforts.
2. Thought Leadership and Flagship Storytelling (20%)
* Develop thought leadership products, including op-eds, commentary articles, speaking points, feature stories, messaging documents, and senior-level communications materials.
* Develop country narrative packages that showcase policy progress, implementation experience, investment mobilization, and impact across ACF member countries.
* Produce flagship long-form communications products highlighting lessons, achievements, and opportunities arising from food systems transformation.
* Adapt complex technical and policy information into accessible communications products for external audiences.
* Develop a thought leadership and external engagement calendar aligned with key international policy moments.
3. Strategic Communications Inputs and Stakeholder Engagement (20%)
* Develop integrated communications and narrative frameworks for major international policy processes and events.
* Prepare briefing materials, key messages, and communications recommendations for ministers, senior officials, ACF leadership, and partner organizations.
* Develop stakeholder engagement recommendations and messaging guidance reflecting country priorities and political realities.
* Identify and document opportunities to engage external validators, champions, media actors, and strategic amplifiers.
* Prepare stakeholder mapping and engagement recommendations to support ACF advocacy objectives.
4. Campaigns and Strategic Communications Planning (20%)
* Develop strategic communications plans for major advocacy moments, campaigns, and international events.
* Prepare recommendations on the use of media, broadcast, podcast, and digital channels to strengthen ACF visibility.
* Develop editorial planning tools and campaign frameworks aligned with annual advocacy priorities.
* Prepare integrated communications packages that support earned media, partner amplification, digital communications, and stakeholder outreach.
* Develop recommendations to strengthen audience targeting, visibility, and uptake among priority audiences.
5. Communications Risk and Quality Assurance (5%)
* Prepare communications risk assessments and mitigation recommendations for priority campaigns and external engagements.
* Develop rapid response guidance and issue-management recommendations for sensitive communications moments.
* Review priority communications materials and provide editorial and strategic quality assurance recommendations.
6. Communications Planning and Process Improvement (5%)
* Provide strategic communications guidance to Secretariat colleagues, communications consultants, and external communications partners.
* Develop recommendations for improving communications planning, content development, approval processes, and stakeholder engagement workflows.
* Prepare strategic guidance on website redesign and development, content architecture, discoverability, and audience engagement.
* Develop strategic communications inputs to internal planning and priority-setting processes.
For complete job description and to apply, visit:
https://bioversityinternational.zohorecruit.eu/jobs/Careers/11911000015944754/Consultant-Senior-Communications-Specialist
HOW TO APPLY:
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https://bioversityinternational.zohorecruit.eu/jobs/Careers/11911000015944754/Consultant-Senior-Communications-Specialist