Consultant, Communication Officer

Consultancy Summary

Title: Consultant, Communication Officer
Consultancy Type: Individual
Division: ESA, Africa Regional Office
Duration: Months from 01 July 2025 until 31 December 2025
Location: Arusha, Tanzania
Project Lead

Background

The World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg), through funding from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and in partnership with the Global Crop Diversity Trust, is implementing a high-priority initiative to safeguard, regenerate, and promote the use of African vegetable genetic resources. This initiative is part of a broader global effort to protect plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), the biological foundation of food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture.

WorldVeg’s genebank in Arusha, Tanzania, serves as one of the world’s key repositories for African indigenous vegetables. These crops are crucial for addressing food insecurity, malnutrition, and income generation among smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa. The genebank operations include regenerating and multiplying seed of endangered varieties, conducting viability testing, updating digital databases (e.g., GRIN-Global, Genesys), and distributing seed kits to support community resilience and biodiversity.

Given the strategic importance of this work, effective communication is vital. It is not enough to conserve seeds in storage. The stories behind the seeds must be told, particularly their role in restoring climate-resilient agriculture, supporting women and youth livelihoods, and protecting indigenous knowledge. Engaging national partners, regional stakeholders, and global donors requires clear, creative, and credible content that brings these scientific and community-driven efforts to life.

This calls for an experienced communication professional who can distill complex technical operations into compelling visual and narrative products. From documenting seed regeneration plots to profiling farmer beneficiaries and capturing institutional milestones, the selected consultant will play a central role in amplifying WorldVeg’s impact through multimedia storytelling, public outreach, and strategic visibility efforts tailored to diverse audiences.

Objectives of the Assignment

To enhance the visibility, understanding, and accessibility of WorldVeg’s genebank activities in Arusha through dynamic, targeted, and high-quality communication. The consultant will play a central role in:

• Producing multimedia communications products that capture the scientific, environmental, and human dimensions of the genebank’s work, ranging from seed regeneration to biodiversity conservation and distribution of seed kits to smallholder farmers.
• Strengthening local and regional stakeholder engagement by creating culturally relevant content and facilitating knowledge-sharing among national partners, farmer networks, researchers, and policymakers across Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Supporting strategic advocacy and reporting functions by generating content for donor updates, FAO reporting, technical briefs, presentations, and knowledge dissemination platforms, ensuring alignment with project milestones and performance indicators.
• Bridging science and storytelling by translating complex technical work into compelling visual and narrative formats that resonate with diverse audiences, including farmers, development practitioners, media, and international donors.
• Amplifying the role of indigenous African vegetables in promoting climate resilience, food security, and income generation, thereby reinforcing WorldVeg’s positioning as a leader in safeguarding Africa’s plant genetic heritage.

This role is critical to ensuring that the impact of WorldVeg’s work is not only preserved in seeds but also elevated through stories, data, and voices that inspire continued investment and action for biodiversity conservation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development of multimedia content, including scripting, filming, editing, and post-production, to document and communicate key genebank operations, project milestones, and impact stories. This includes producing video documentaries, photo essays, infographics, blogs, and human interest features that highlight the work of researchers, policy actors, and community beneficiaries engaged in the conservation and use of African vegetable genetic resources and biodiversity.
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• Draft and prepare communication materials, including donor reports, brochures, newsletters, factsheets, and web content, to support FAO reporting requirements, stakeholder engagement, and public visibility of the genebank project.
• Edit and compile content for use in print, web, and social media platforms.
• Provide comprehensive media coverage of WorldVeg’s participation in relevant national, regional, and international fora. This includes capturing and producing real-time event content such as photos, videos, and social media posts; conducting interviews with WorldVeg representatives and stakeholders; and developing post-event summaries, highlight reels, or blog features that showcase WorldVeg’s role, key messages, and contributions in alignment with the genebank’s strategic goals.
• Strengthen communication capacity through knowledge transfer to WorldVeg staff and, where needed, implementing partners. This includes basic training in content creation, visual storytelling, and effective communication practices to enhance local ownership and sustainability of outreach efforts.
• Manage relationships with local media and contribute to public relations and press engagement strategies.
• Provide digital media analytics and recommendations for improving reach.

Deliverables

• Produce at least 10 short-form videos (7-10 minutes) capturing key project outcomes, human-interest stories, or stakeholder voices, alongside 2 longer feature documentaries (10-15 minutes) profiling significant biodiversity hotspots or regional impact.
• Develop and submit a Monthly Highlights Package, including 1-2 short clips (1-2 minutes), curated high-resolution photo stories (20+ over the contract period) with metadata and captions, and social media assets spotlighting milestones and field activities.
• Author at least 5 feature articles or blog posts for publication on WorldVeg and partner platforms to enhance visibility and outreach.
• Provide donor-compliant visuals, including curated raw footage, stills, and edited materials aligned with FAO and WorldVeg reporting requirements for interim and final reports.
• Maintain a communications archive—a structured repository of all multimedia assets (raw and edited formats), usage summaries, and consent documentation.
• Submit monthly communication briefs to the Project Lead and a final communication summary report upon contract completion.

Required Qualifications and Competencies (Technical and Behavioral)

• Degree in Journalism, Communication, or Film Production or at least ten years of demonstrable working experience.
• Proven experience in content development, conceptualization, camera work, directing, editing, and post-production across various formats in East Africa.
• Experience working with international NGOs, donor-funded programs, or media agencies.
• Excellent communication skills in English, Kiswahili, and working proficiency in regional languages.
• Experience in working with global and multicultural teams, tailoring messages for different audiences.
• Ability to work independently in diverse environments and under tight deadlines.

The Reward

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position with competitive pay and benefits.

“The candidate we hire will embody WorldVeg’s Five Core Values:

• Dedication to Innovation and Knowledge Sharing: Supports the conduct of world-class science, respects ethical standards, and is committed to sharing results in a transparent manner.
• Commitment to Impact: Aspires to achieve positive, tangible, and lasting impact contributing to Sustainable Development Goals.
• Commitment to Partnerships: Believes in the value of partnerships to advance research for development.
• Respect for People: Respects the diversity of gender, culture, ethnic origin, religion, age, beliefs, and views.
• Respect for the Environment: Strives to minimize its environmental impact and to introduce greener technology and practices.”

How to Apply

Applicants should submit a letter of application explaining their suitability for and interest in the position along with a curriculum vitae, recent passport-size photograph, names, and addresses (including telephone/fax/e-mail) of three referees, and date of availability to info-esa@worldveg.org or the job bank site before 24 June 2025. Please mention the position title in the subject line.