The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works for better lives, better planet t
The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works for better lives, better planet through livestock in developing countries. ILRI has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and is co-hosted by the Government of Ethiopia through a Host Country Agreement with the Government of Kenya signed on 29 December 1994 and the Government of Ethiopia signed on 8 June 1995. It has 14 offices across Asia and Africa, employs some 700 staff and has an annual operating budget of about USD 80 million.
ILRI is a CGIAR research centre, a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR science is dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services. Its research is carried out by 15 CGIAR centres in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector.
1. Team leader, Strategic Communications and outreach
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Status: Full-time
Department: Communications and Knowledge Management
Are you passionate about using the power of communication to influence sustainable development?
Do you thrive at the intersection of science, storytelling, and impact?
Join the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)—a global leader in livestock research for development—as we seek a Team Leader, Strategic Communications and Outreach to help shape the future of sustainable food systems.
We’re looking for a dynamic, creative, and strategic communicator to lead ILRI’s external communications and outreach efforts to translate world-class livestock science into compelling narratives that inform policy, attract investment, and drive change.
Reporting to the Head of Communications, Advocacy and Knowledge Management (CAKM), this role works closely with ILRI’s leadership, scientists, and partners to move ILRI toward an audience-driven, impact-focused approach to communications.
You’ll lead a team of writers, multimedia producers, and digital specialists; set communication standards; and drive ILRI’s content and branding strategy across traditional, digital, and social media platforms.
The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve people’s lives in low- and middle-income countries through livestock science that contributes to equitable and resilient livestock systems to deliver food systems transformation with climate and environmental benefits. It is one of 15 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org
Key Responsibilities
Strategic content development, outreach and dissemination
- Lead ILRI’s shift to audience-driven, impact-oriented communication which works with multiple media
- Support CAKM leadership in managing communication workflows and strategy execution.
- Oversee the social media ensuring strategic planning, implementation and results.
- Set systems and standards for effective, strategic communication, outreach and dissemination using of data driven monitoring to drive decisions.
- Align ILRI’s communication with policy, advocacy, and resource mobilization goals.
- Support wider ILRI marketing, branding and design efforts
Thought leadership
- Oversee messaging and communication plans for ILRI’s leadership and research themes.
- Strengthen ILRI’s reputation by positioning ILRI leaders and researchers as authoritative voices in sustainable livestock research.
- Oversee media relations, including development and implementation of a high impact media relations strategy, establishing strong media relations, handling media enquiries and reporting on results.
- Lead campaigns that promote ILRI’s role in food systems, climate, and policy discussions.
- Oversee the production of high-quality communication outputs (articles, multimedia, digital content).
Communication management and oversight
- Responsible for ILRIs website and news sites, leading editorial strategy and overseeing a team and ensuring timely quality output, and aligned with institutional priorities.
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of communication efforts for continuous improvement.
- Mobilize resources (internally and externally) to support communication initiatives.
- Mentor communication officers to enhance storytelling, messaging, and strategic dissemination.
- Link and support other CAKM areas
Qualifications
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience in international relations, communications, journalism, or related discipline.
- Minimum 8 years of professional work experience in a fast-paced, dynamic communications environment, preferably
- Fluency in English at a native level is essential; other languages (esp. French) an advantage
- Experience in working for a research, agriculture or within the development sector is an advantage.
Knowledge and experience
- Proven experience in managing teams and driving change and innovation in communications
- Expertise in science communication, with the ability to translate research into engaging, high impact narratives. Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills for diverse audiences.
- Well-versed in using different communication, multi-media approaches and techniques, with a clear focus on targeting stakeholders effectively and achieving measurable impact.
- Proven experience in developing and monitoring impactful and targeted outreach and dissemination strategies using a range of channels (social media, traditional media, documentaries, etc.)
- Project management skills, delegating responsibilities effectively, ensuring clear roles and accountability and aligning communication initiatives with institutional priorities.
- Commitment to excellence, ensuring high quality outputs under tight deadlines.
Personal attributes
- Ability to deal well with complexity and ambiguity, including excellent flexibility and adaptability.
- A genuine team-player with strong listening, influencing and negotiating skills.
- Excellent emotional intelligence, including listening and empathy, and the ability to develop highly collaborative business partnering relationships.
- Maintains high performance and demonstrates resilience when operating in a fast-paced professional service environment.
- Demonstrates strong sense of delivery – ensuring things get done to a high standard and who holds themselves and their team accountable
Terms of Appointment:
This position is at job level HG 18, and it is open to both national and international applicants. The position is a three (3) year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive international salary and benefits package which includes pension, medical insurance, life insurance and allowances for: education, housing, security, relocation, and home leave.
1. Research Associate III – Livestock Genetics
Deadline: Nov 07, 2025
Location: Nairobi,
Department: Biosciences
The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Research Associate to work with a team carrying out research measuring methane (CH4) emitted by dairy cows in smallholder, medium and large dairy farms using the Green Feed Unit (GFU) and the methane laser detector (LMD) in Kenya
ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org
Key Responsibilities
- Primary responsibility for the GFU in medium/large farms managing its operation, data capture and interaction with scientists at ILRI and support team of manufacturer (C-Lock)
- To implement the measuring of CH4 simultaneous in these farms with the LMD using a well-planned rota.
- Ability to stick to routines agreed with farmers to ensure minimal disturbances to farm
- Ensure that CH4 measurements are accurate as possible by following the established protocol and to report any issues immediately.
- Work with the ADGG ICT personnel data stored transmit data from GFU and LMD to the ADGG database
- The implementation of other field research activities and production and reporting on research outputs related to improving livestock productivity in low input systems under supervision of scientists.
- Provide technical input and support in quantitative data related to animal genetic resources, compilation and statistical analyses of the data collated
- Provide support in management, processing and use of livestock databases and follow-up documentation, contact details, networking arrangements between various partners
- Organize and contribute to capacity building of national partners through relevant supportive training in livestock breeding management and use of livestock data, group discussions and provision of feedback to livestock keepers and industry players
Requirements
- BSc in an Agricultural science-related area with some training in research project implementation.
- At least 5 years of experience in working with data and sharing information with farming communities
- Experience in collation and handling of livestock Data for large databases
- Field experience in the implementation of dairy-related projects in Kenya
- Experience in statistical data analysis and report writing
- Excellent interpersonal communication and good personal organization skills.
- Able to work independently and with internal and external stakeholders
- Good communication ability in English, spoken and written.
- Good judgement and willingness to take initiative when appropriate.
- Good computer skills and knowledge on digital data collection applications (ODK)
- Ability to carry out routine tasks with considerable independence.
- Willingness to work at project sites in different locations, rotating with the GreenFeed unit as per the project plan.
- License for riding a motorcycle
- Fluency in English and the local language is advantageous.
Terms of Appointment
This position is at job level HG 12 and it is only open to Kenyan nationals. The position is a 3-year fixed term contract. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes pension, medical and other insurances.
3. Executive Assistant – Director General’s Office
Deadline: Nov 05, 2025
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Status: Full-time
Department: Directorate
The International Livestock Research Institute seeks to recruit an Executive Assistant to provide high-level administrative support to the Director General’s (DG) office and manage the day-to-day activities of the Directorate office. The job serves as a trusted liaison across ILRI’s global teams and stakeholders, ensuring efficiency, confidentiality, and responsiveness within the DG’s office.
ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org
Key responsibilities
I. Executive support & coordination
- Manage the DG’s schedule in consultation with the Head of Planning, Coordination & Engagement, ensuring timely briefings, priority setting, and institutional representation
- Organize and support the DG’s meetings, appointments, internal and external engagements, travel and the relevant logistics
- Provide quality customer service including handling calls, enquiries and other communication
- Coordinate with protocol, security, travel agent, communications, and facilities teams for high-level events and visitor management
- Prepare and package briefing materials, background documents, talking points, and follow-up notes from key meetings and missions
- Draft, proofread, and format correspondence, presentations, and institutional reports as required
- As required, take part in meetings, take minutes and follow up on action points through to completion.
II. Office management
- Contribute to the preparation of the annual budget and board materials for the DG’s office
- Develop and/or maintain records, filing systems, calendars, and contact databases relevant to the DG’s office
III. Liaison & institutional interface
- Act as a central liaison between the DG’s office and ILRI departments, programs, partners, CGIAR, donors, and government officials
- Support the coordination of ILRI Board events, high-level delegations, donor visits, and ministerial engagements
- Maintain an up-to-date database on details of all donor visitors and VIP to the institute.
- Perform any other related duties as may be required
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration/management, international relations, communications or relevant field
- Five years relevant experience
- Demonstrated ability to manage executive calendars, high-level meetings, and confidential information
- Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and digital platforms (MS Teams, Zoom, SharePoint, etc.)
- Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills
- High level of discretion, reliability, and integrity in handling sensitive information
Terms of Appointment
This position is at job level HG 13 and it is only open to Kenyan nationals.
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