Individual Consultant to Support IFPRI-FOLU China’s Strategic Communications Design and Content

Job Posting Organization:
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is a global research institution established in 1975, dedicated to providing evidence-based solutions for ending hunger and poverty. IFPRI operates in over 40 countries and employs more than 300 staff members, including researchers, policy analysts, and support staff. The organization focuses on improving food systems and land use, with a mission to promote sustainable security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and nutrition through research and policy engagement. IFPRI-FOLU is a specific program within IFPRI that addresses the urgent need for transformation in food and land use systems to create a better future for people, nature, and climate.

Job Overview:
The role of the Communications Manager is pivotal in supporting IFPRI-FOLU China’s strategic communications design and content execution. The candidate will be responsible for translating complex sustainability issues into clear communication content, designing campaigns, narrative frameworks, and multi-channel communication plans. This position emphasizes engaging the business and finance community in alignment with the FOLU 2030 Strategy. The ideal candidate will possess a solid understanding of sustainability topics and have a working knowledge of key stakeholders in the sustainability landscape, particularly within the agrifood sector. The consultant will need to navigate the political, cultural, and media complexities of China’s communications landscape effectively, demonstrating hands-on communications experience in the region. The commitment required for this role is nearly full-time, with a minimum of four days per week, and the initial contract will extend until December 31, 2026, with potential for renewal.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for designing and delivering strategic communications products, including messaging frameworks and messenger strategies that simplify complex insights into actionable narratives for external engagement. They will plan and execute communication outputs from start to finish, which includes campaigns, thematic content series, partner collaborations, and event communications. The consultant will actively create and leverage communication opportunities such as podcasts, interviews, and media features to shape public narratives and advance system-level transition agendas. Additionally, they will build and maintain partnerships with communication platforms and peer organizations to co-develop and deliver joint communication activities. The role also involves managing multi-channel publishing and content operations across platforms like WeChat, LinkedIn, and program webpages, ensuring a consistent output of high-quality content. The consultant will draft, edit, and quality-control bilingual content in Chinese and English across various formats, including articles, briefs, newsletters, social media posts, and event materials. They will support visual storytelling and layout for digital content, track performance metrics, and translate insights into practical recommendations for improving reach and engagement. Collaboration with country-level and global teams is essential to ensure communication outputs align with project goals and global guidelines, and the consultant will work closely with the Head of Communications to identify and deliver outputs around key international moments and public-facing impact stories.

Required Qualifications:
The essential qualifications for this position include strong writing and editing skills in both Chinese and English, a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in communications, journalism, marketing" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">digital marketing, public affairs, or related fields. The candidate must possess political acumen and contextual sensitivity, understanding the complexities of climate communication and being able to strategically design and deliver communications initiatives. A demonstrated ability to design or manage communication campaigns or content series is crucial, along with a genuine interest in sustainability, food systems, or public-interest communication. The candidate should be capable of working independently, remotely, and managing tasks reliably, with strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and clear communication. Familiarity with impact reporting and storytelling, as well as awareness and sensitivity to brand and reputation management, are also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have at least a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in relevant fields such as communications, journalism, digital marketing, public affairs, or related disciplines. This educational background is essential to ensure the candidate has the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for effective communication in the context of sustainability and food systems.

Experience:
The position requires a candidate with a proven track record in communications, particularly in navigating the complexities of the Chinese communications landscape. Hands-on experience in managing communication campaigns or content series is essential, along with familiarity with sustainability topics and the agrifood sector. The candidate should have experience working with diverse stakeholders, including the private and finance sectors, to effectively communicate sustainability issues.

Languages:
Strong proficiency in both Chinese and English is mandatory for this position, as the consultant will be required to draft, edit, and quality-control bilingual content. Familiarity with additional languages may be considered a plus, but the primary requirement is fluency in these two languages to ensure effective communication across various formats and platforms.

Additional Notes:
The consultant is expected to commit nearly full-time to this role, with a minimum of four days per week. The initial contract will run until December 31, 2026, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and project needs. This position may involve remote work, allowing for flexibility in location. Interested candidates should submit their Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting relevant experience, a one-page statement of interest summarizing their qualifications and experience for this assignment, and their proposed daily rate.