Communications Specialist (Open to all applicants)

About the role

The Specialist will support the CAFI Secretariat in strengthening its communications, visibility, and reporting across the CAFI portfolio. Key responsibilities include:

• Content creation
• Quality control
• Media relations

Responsibilities

Implement within the Secretariat the knowledge of new trends and technologies in web- and digital-based graphic design.

Maintain the CAFI Trust Fund presence in public dialogue where appropriate.

Develop relationships with key partners to maximize visibility and traffic to CAFI digital platforms and to maximize the distribution of content.

Lead on the identification of new communications opportunities and products consistent with the CAFI’s branding and visibility.

Cook up daily content (social networks, presentations, text, images, video or HTML) to engage audiences in a meaningful way.

Create content for the CAFI website, keeping the site current with new articles, CAFI-funded programmes pages and thematic areas.

Responsible for daily updates across CAFI’s social media platforms.

This includes preparing and publishing regular content on key developments, news, programme achievements, and events related to CAFI; monitoring engagement; and ensuring timely, innovative and proactive communication in alignment with CAFI’s visibility objectives.

Identify and develop compelling stories from the CAFI portfolio, and produce multimedia content (stories, videos, graphics, and social media updates) that showcase programme impact.

Maintain CAFI social media presence including by developing a list of international days and events relevant to CAFI partner and donor countries, listing relevant hashtags, mapping key stakeholders and influencers, drafting social media kits for main events of the year, and sharing a regular stream of content via the CAFI Twitter account.

Lead on the production of high-quality communications products for print, audio/visual and social media in UN languages, including short videos, infographics and other related materials.

Draft detailed Terms of Reference (TORs) of all deliverables expected from the external communication firm contracted by the CAFI Secretariat.

Conduct systematic quality control of all deliverables to ensure compliance with CAFI’s communication strategy, branding guidelines, editorial standards, and expected impact.

Provide consolidated feedback, request revisions, and ensure outputs meet operational and strategic requirements before validation.

Develop and provide regular and targeted guidance to align messaging with CAFI’s vision and communication & visibility strategy.

Perform editorial reviews of relevant portfolio knowledge products developed by the CAFI Secretariat (ie. Brochures, annual highlights etc).

Design and develop infographics, posters, leaflets, presentations, brochures, reports and any other design required to meet communications objectives.

Contribute to the design and implementation of the CAFI communication strategy, including; providing updates and soliciting feedback from teams and stakeholder; applying state of the art practices, in the Fund's graphic design and communication.

Establish and manage the Secretariat’s central database of all CAFI communication materials, including publications, multimedia content, design assets, event materials, social media packages, and visibility products.

The Specialist will ensure proper classification, version control, metadata tagging, and accessibility of all communication assets for internal and external use.

Draft press releases, factsheets, talking points, and scripts for video messages.

Organize responses to media requests and support messaging.

Support media outreach during major events/meetings by creating opportunities for positive messaging about CAFI’s achievements and milestones, identifying opportunities, themes and media outlets.

Draft pitches, support the organization of interviews, take photos, prepare communications material (press releases, talking points, key messages).

Support the contracting of national communication consultants, media professionals, or journalists in CAFI partner countries by preparing TORs, coordinating assignments, and conducting rigorous quality control of all deliverables produced at country level.

This includes ensuring alignment with CAFI’s messaging, communication strategy, and editorial standards, as well as providing technical guidance to national contractors.

Support the organization of field visits with journalists and photographer(s) to CAFI programme sites to amplify messaging around the conservation of forests as a climate solution.

Qualifications

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, Journalism, or related field is required.

Or a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum 7 years (with Master’s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in implementing strategic communications (including but not limited to, content creation & design, quality control, media relations) in several countries and across a diverse portfolio of programmes is required.

Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical, scientific, or policy information into clear, concise, and accessible messages tailored to non-specialist audiences and the general public.

Proven experience using accessible design tools to translate complex technical information into simple, visually engaging communication products (e.g., PowerPoint presentations, infographics, data visualizations, or simplified graphical explanations).

Strong design and digital communication skills including the use of widely adopted tools such as Canva, Adobe Express, Figma or similar light production platforms.

Experience producing engaging social media content and managing digital communication across multiple platforms.

Proven ability to provide tailored communication guidance to teams and implementing partners, including support on messaging, content quality, branding coherence, and the strategic use of communication channels to enhance visibility and impact.

Proven experience in media relations, including in sensitive or high-profile contexts.

Proven ability to work independently, creatively and under tight deadlines.