Job Description

International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Director, Strategic Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications to play a critical role in developing an institute-wide approach to partnerships, advocacy, and communications.

The Director will lead a comprehensive global-to-local approach to strengthen investment in, and build a vibrant ecosystem around, sustainable livestock innovations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The successful candidate will amplify ILRI’s impact by establishing coherent partnership, advocacy, and communications strategies and activities across the organisation, stewarding global and regional partnerships, and positioning ILRI as a credible thought leader and trusted convenor at global, regional, and local levels.

ILRI is an international organisation working for better lives and a better planet through livestock. ILRI’s mission emphasises the interconnections between people, animals, and the environment, aiming to improve the lives of more than 300 million people in LMICs through livestock science that supports equitable and resilient livestock systems, ultimately contributing to food systems transformation with climate and environmental benefits.

This mission is delivered through two core strategic objectives:

• Co-designing and deploying sustainable, science-based livestock solutions
• Leveraging science to inform and influence policy and investment decisions

ILRI is a member of the CGIAR, a global research alliance that works to transform food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis, and is the only CGIAR centre dedicated to addressing multiple development challenges through sustainable livestock solutions.

Reporting Line and Structure

• Reports to the Director General of ILRI and participates as a member of ILRI’s Strategy, Program Execution and Acceleration Review (SPEAR) Team.
• This is a strategic and oversight role.
• Four dedicated unit leads — Partnerships, Advocacy, Strategic Communications, and Knowledge Management — report directly to this position, supported by approximately 30 staff members.
• Works closely with ILRI Deputy Director Generals, Research Programs, and Regional Directors.
• Collaborates with the business development unit, program directors, and regional directors to identify, surface, and channel partnership and funding opportunities for advocacy and resource mobilization.

What This Role Must Deliver

The successful candidate will be expected to deliver:

• An integrated, institute-wide strategy connecting partnerships, advocacy, communications, and knowledge management with unified goals and measurable KPIs aligned to ILRI’s strategy.
• Corporate standards and quality metrics for advocacy, partnerships, communications, and knowledge management, including regular monitoring and reporting to ILRI leadership.
• A fit-for-purpose partnership function with tools, systems, and organizational capacity for partner intelligence, partner management, and coordination with research teams.
• A strengthened global-regional-local advocacy approach, including strategic oversight of the Global Livestock Advocacy for Sustainable Development (GLAD) project and the Advocacy and Investment Hub.
• Expanded institutional visibility and thought leadership to elevate and nuance livestock within the development agenda and ensure ILRI’s innovations reach key stakeholders.
• Active support to resource mobilization by identifying strategic partnership and funding opportunities, integrating advocacy and communications into new proposals, and strengthening ILRI’s marketing for fundraising purposes.

Key Responsibilities

Drive a New Approach to Strategic Partnerships

• Steward and grow partnerships in collaboration with the DG and DDG offices, ensuring alignment with ILRI’s strategic priorities.
• Lead ILRI’s engagement with CGIAR on partnerships and communications, contributing to joint advocacy positions, shared platforms, and system-wide coherence.
• Collaborate with scientists and regional teams to align partnership engagement efforts across the institute.
• Engage partners to convene dialogues around ILRI flagship reports on sustainable livestock.
• Build and maintain partnership intelligence systems that generate actionable insights for strategic decision-making.

Oversight of Communications, Advocacy and Knowledge Management

• Provide strategic communications counsel to ILRI leadership, research program directors, and regional directors on media, risk communication, and institutional positioning.
• Oversee strategic communications initiatives that translate research into compelling and accessible content for diverse audiences.
• Develop processes for gathering intelligence on critical issues affecting the livestock sector in LMICs and shape institutional responses.
• Lead ILRI’s and partners’ engagement in key global and regional events and policy processes aimed at influencing decisions and enhancing sustainable livestock systems.
• Lead the establishment and operations of the ILRI Livestock Advocacy and Investment Hub.
• Direct implementation of the GLAD project and other advocacy-focused initiatives.
• Guide the management of ILRI flagship reports to ensure effective stakeholder engagement and impactful dissemination.
• Promote demand-driven repackaging of research into policy briefs, white papers, biennial reports, and other decision-support products.
• Champion knowledge-sharing systems and practices that strengthen internal collaboration and communications.

Organisational Leadership and Management

• Provide strategic direction and operational integration across the four units with clear accountability frameworks.
• Develop and oversee monitoring and evaluation systems tracking advocacy influence, partnership value, and communications reach.
• Guide the use of AI to streamline communications and knowledge management processes.
• Identify and secure funding for livestock advocacy and communications initiatives.
• Manage budgets and financial oversight across all four units, including innovative financing models.
• Foster a high-performing and collaborative team culture aligned with ILRI’s mission and evolving institutional priorities.

Qualifications

Applicants should possess:

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in International Development, Public Policy, Agriculture, Strategic Communications, or a related field.
• At least 15 years of progressive leadership experience in international organizations.
• Significant experience across advocacy, partnerships, communications, and resource mobilization.
• English language fluency.
• Proven ability to design and execute strategies aligned with institutional priorities and external trends, including within CGIAR or similar research-for-development systems.
• Experience managing diverse, geographically distributed teams and building high-performance functions.
• Demonstrated success in mobilizing funding and resource mobilization.
• Proven ability to influence global forums, engage decision-makers, and participate in multistakeholder processes.
• Deep understanding of agriculture, food systems, environment, and livestock sectors in LMICs.
• Ability to work effectively in complex institutional environments and build social capital to motivate collaboration.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical capabilities, including donor intelligence, political economy analysis, and partnership innovation.
• Expertise in institutional advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and policy influence at global and regional levels.
• Fluency in modern communications tools, digital strategy, audience analytics, and strategic branding.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead organizational change and capability development.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills with the credibility to engage high-level donors, philanthropies, partners, and policymakers.

Duty Station

📍 The position will be based in Nairobi.

Terms of Appointment

• Job Level: HG21
• Open to both national and international applicants
• Initial contract duration: Three (3) years
• Renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding

ILRI offers a competitive international salary and benefits package, including:

• Pension
• Medical insurance
• Life insurance
• Education allowance
• Housing allowance
• Security allowance
• Relocation support
• Home leave benefits

Application Process

Applicants should submit:

• A cover letter expressing their interest in the role and what they can bring to the position
• Detailed CV
• Names and addresses (including telephone and email contacts) of three professional referees

Applications should be addressed to the Head of People and Culture.

Important:

• Clearly indicate the position title and reference number: REF: D/05/2026 in the subject line of the cover letter.
• Deadline for applications: 18 June 2026

Apply through the official recruitment portal:

ILRI Recruitment Portal

Important Notice

ILRI does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including:

• Application
• Interview
• Processing
• Training

ILRI also does not request applicants’ bank account information during recruitment.

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.