About
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), through its Business Incubation Platform (IITA-BIP), serves as the technology and innovation scaling arm of the institute. Established in 2014, IITA-BIP focuses on incubating research-for-development (R4D) breakthroughs and accelerating commercialization through strategic private-sector partnerships across Nigeria and Africa.
IITA-BIP is currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Communication Officer at its Headquarters located on the IITA campus in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Job Description
IITA-BIP is seeking a skilled and experienced Communication Officer to manage and strengthen the organisation’s public image, oversee internal and external communications, and lead strategic communication initiatives across projects and subsidiaries.
The successful candidate will develop and execute communication strategies that enhance visibility, stakeholder engagement, and brand awareness while ensuring consistent messaging across platforms.
Key Responsibilities
1. Communication Strategy Development
- Develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy for IITA-BIP, its subsidiaries, and associated projects.
2. Content Creation & Management
- Draft, edit, and produce high-quality written and visual content, including press releases, newsletters, reports, and website contents
- Manage and grow social media platforms, including content scheduling, audience engagement, and performance tracking.
3. Media Relations & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local and national media outlets.
- Organise press briefings, interviews, and media tours.
- Engage stakeholders,s including government officials, development partners, farmers, and the general public.
4. Events & Public Engagement
- Support and coordinate communication activities for workshops, field days, stakeholder events, and public engagements.
- Ensure effective communication before, during, and after events.
5. Monitoring & Reporting
- Prepare communication activity reports and media engagement reports for publication.
- Coordinate communication efforts with project partners and collaborators.
- Provide communication support for joint initiatives and partnerships.
Qualifications & Requirements
- MSc, B.Sc., or HND in Communication or related discipline
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar role within a structured organisation
- Experience working with international research institutes, development organisations, or the public sector
- Ability to coordinate multi-organisational teams and manage consultants
- Proficiency in graphic design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) or video editing software is an added advantage
- Willingness to travel on scheduled and short notice
Knowledge, Skills & Competencies
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Digital and social media literacy
- Media relations expertise
- Creativity and branding knowledge
- Ability to manage and mitigate reputational risk
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Cross-cultural awareness
- Understanding of operational procedures and resource management
How to Apply
Interested applicants should apply by clicking the APPLY NOW button.