COMMUNICATION OFFICER, CIRAD REGIONAL OFFICE (CONTINENTAL SE ASIA)

In continental Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam – and the link with China), CIRAD is working with its partners – research bodies, universities, agricultural departments – to gain a better understanding of the major issues involved in combating climate change, preserving biodiversity and improving health, with a view to helping to draw up national or regional public policies. In the Greater Mekong region, the agricultural sector is highly dynamic, with the emergence of new global players, and remains highly diversified. Moreover, Southeast Asia and its Chinese neighbour are hotspots in terms of the risk of emerging infectious diseases. The many research-action projects carried out jointly with our partners aim to support the development of the sub-region, in favor of the rural world and global health, in the face of the economic weight of the major emerging neighbours.
The post of communications officer for this regional directorate has been created with the aim of raising awareness of CIRAD’s activities and results in the region among the various target audiences.
The priority communication targets are local and regional decision-makers (politicians, officials from ministries or regional organisations such as ASEAN, APAARI, ASAIHL, WOAH, FAO, etc.), donors (European Union delegations, AFD country and regional office, etc.), the media, and CIRAD’s current and potential partners (research, NGOs, etc.).
Secondary targets: Final beneficiaries of the research, students and the general public with an affinity with our fields.

• To co-construct the annual communication plan, with the Regional Director and the Executive Assistant, in line with CIRAD’s institutional communication strategy; this plan will have to activate the relevant communication levers to achieve the objectives: website, social networks, media relations, events, etc.
• Produce news items based on projects carried out by researchers in the region, workshops/project reports, research platforms news items, meetings with the Regional Director and events (news items on cirad.fr);
• Design and send out the regional newsletter, in collaboration with the CIRAD webmaster
• Update the Regional Direction web pages on the cirad.fr website (beyond news);
• Obtaining relevant information, particularly results (during the course of the project) from project managers present in the area or heavily involved via field missions;
• Designing and producing (alone or with the support of local service providers) print and audio-visual materials (videos, photo exhibitions, podcasts, etc.);
• Propose and produce posts for the Regional Direction existing accounts [Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook] or those to be created;
• Drafting press releases and establishing relations with the local media and local  correspondents of foreign media on the occasion of events, major results, etc;
• Add photos taken at events to your news and posts;
• Maintain relations with networks of communicators in the region: major CIRAD projects and partners that have their own communication officer (but for limited periods by definition), French embassies, AFD delegations, European Union delegations, national ministries (research, health, agriculture, environment, etc.);

• Be a focal point for the communications delegation if an event or visit is organised in a country in the region for ‘guests’ (institutions, media) from outside the region;
• Relaying and implementing CIRAD’s central internal communications actions in the region, with researchers
• Take part in meetings with the Communications Delegation (by videoconference) and other Regional Direction communication officers (West Africa and Indian Ocean area for the moment);
• Sharing best practice with other communicators in other Regional Directions.

Master’s level 2 in communication or journalism studies.
At least 3 years’ professional experience in a position in a public (research centre, university, NGO) or private organisation, a media outlet or a communications agency.
Ideally, experience in scientific and development-related subjects
An interest in sustainable development issues relating to food, biodiversity, health, climate change, etc.
(knowledge of the SDGs would be appreciated).

• Languages
o English: fluent and excellent writing skills
o French: good level of oral expression; good written level desirable
• The basics of communication to get hard-hitting, clear, understandable messages across to a nonscientific audience;
• Experience in press relations;
• Mastery of PHOTOSHOP and/or CANVA to create visuals that communicate;
• Good communication skills on social networks;
• Knowledge of a CMS (Content Management System) for writing for websites is a plus but training will be provided;
• Rigour, reliability;
• Good interpersonal skills for working with different people and interacting with different audiences.
• Ability to adapt to multicultural environments through experience of living abroad (studies, work experience, etc.).

Screen work in excess of 4 hours
Field work and missions in tropical areas
Frequent travel to countries in the Regional Management area and in France

Vietnam, Hanoi
Details of location
Regional Direction (DRASEC)
CIRAD Office (2G-102)
Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound, 298 Kim Ma, Hanoi
Tel.: + 844 37 34 67 75

François ROGER and Chau THI TRAN
francois.roger@cirad.fr
ciradvietnam@gmail.com

For more information about CIRAD Regional direction, visit:
https://www.cirad.fr/en/worldwide/our-regional-offices/continental-southeast-asia