Communications Specialist

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center, is seeking a communication professional to join its office in Anand, India, as a Research Specialist – Agricultural Economics.

The Communications Specialist is responsible for writing, designing, sourcing and evaluating creative communication materials, developing procedures for standard processes, and refining communication concepts in collaboration with colleagues to ensure alignment with organizational messaging. This role involves guiding communication team members and stakeholders on communication tools and maintaining relationships with external partners to enhance dissemination efforts and outreach impact. The Communications Specialist oversees the execution of outreach events, monitors the effectiveness of communication tools, maintains organized content databases, and proposes workflow enhancements for continuous improvement.

The incumbent is expected to work closely with IWMI Headquarters Communications and Knowledge Management Unit.

Main Purpose of Job:

• Write, design, source, and evaluate creative communication content, materials and products aligned with the organization’s communication strategy and policies to enhance information dissemination and outreach.
• Develop and monitor procedures and guidelines for standard processes and ensure adherence to communication product standards to maintain consistency and alignment with organizational standards.
• Provide technical input to the communication action plan to introduce innovative ideas and ensure timely execution of strategies.
• Oversee the implementation of communication products from initial concept to final output to ensure timely delivery and high-quality results.
• Update online content and social media channels, ensuring consistency in branding and messaging
• Engage with communications service providers and contractors to ensure the timely delivery of quality communication services.

Main engagement, collaboration and communication responsibilities:

• Reach out and engage with communication colleagues to exchange materials and ideas, ensuring consistency and alignment across the organization.
• Maintain relationships with IGCA consortium members, co-implementers, partners, consultants and other relevant stakeholders to enhance the dissemination of communication products and align efforts.
• Develop and update training materials, and plan and deliver capacity-building sessions for external stakeholders to enhance their understanding and use of communication tools.

Main responsibilities in the delivery of timely and quality services:

• Gather, consolidate, and write reports, ensuring timely editing and submission to meet office reporting requirements.
• Develop, organize, and verify content for websites, databases, channels, platforms, and archives to ensure materials are accurate, accessible, and regularly updated.
• Monitor, track, and assess data on the usage and effectiveness of communication tools to ensure optimal coverage and identify areas for improvement.
• Maintain a database of relevant media professionals for regular engagement through joint publications, publications of Op-Eds, blogs and other relevant dissemination products through most relevant media platforms and channels.

Education, Certifications & Training:

• Master’s degree in mass communication, journalism, international development, sociology, political sciences or in a closely related discipline; or bachelor’s degree with extensive relevant experience.

Experience:

• Experience designing and developing communication products, refining messaging.
• Exposure to working with colleagues and partners to enhance dissemination and alignment of communication efforts.
• Experience guiding team members.
• Experience working in an international not-for-profit organization is an advantage.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in English is essential to communicate in writing and speaking.
• Working knowledge of one or more second languages preferably Gujarati, Marathi or Hindi is desirable.

Functional and Technical competencies:

• Analytical, Critical and Systems Thinking: Analyzes information from multiple sources to identify trends, draw conclusions, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Knowledge Management: Applies knowledge management principles and systems to organize and retrieve information, while sharing insights and best practices to improve team performance.
• Capacity Building: Adapts capacity building styles to audience needs, customizing capacity building methods based on objectives and seeking feedback to improve the quality and relevance of capacity building activities.
• Planning and Organizing: Plans and manages multiple priorities and deadlines independently, using time management tools to stay on track, and effectively balances competing tasks while adjusting as needed.
• Problem Solving: Analyzes information to identify root causes, collaborates with colleagues to gather information, and prioritizes critical factors to propose effective solutions.

This is a nationally recruited position and only Indian nationals will be considered. IWMI offers a competitive salary and benefits package, inclusive of health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period Two (02) years, with the possibility of extension.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on September 08, 2026 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, portfolio links and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.