Communications Manager – TRANSFORM ((Office of Programs (Ethiopia)

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Deadline: March 30, 2026

Job Description

About IFDC

IFDC is a public international organization active in 20 countries in Africa, Asia, and America. IFDC uniquely approaches the global issues of food security and poverty by bridging the gap between research and impact, combining science-based innovations, holistic market systems development, an enabling policy environment, and strategic partnerships to assist farmers and countries to identify and scale sustainable agricultural solutions, including improved nutrient use efficiency. These approaches are needed to boost soil health and crop productivity while reducing the environmental impact of fertilizer use. IFDC translates research into action by using locally driven, environmentally sound, and impact-oriented solutions. With our partners, we seek to close the yield gap, eradicate global hunger, safeguard the soil on which our lives depend, and generate economic resilience for farming households and the countries in which they live.

Position summary

The Communications Manager will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communication strategies for the TRANSFORM Program in close collaboration with program staff and partners. This role requires a creative storyteller with expertise in multimedia production (written, photo, and video content), strategic messaging, and stakeholder engagement. The successful candidate will work directly with the TRANSFORM team, with support from IFDC’s global communications and knowledge management units.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communication Planning:

Re-develop/build, implement, and continuously update the TRANSFORM Program communication strategy;

Coordinate all communication activities in the TRANSFORM Program and give communications guidance to the program team;

Ensure that communication efforts align with the program‘s goals and broader organizational objectives;

Ensure adherence to and proper application of the TRANSFORM brand identity by the team.

Content Creation and Dissemination:

Produce high-quality written and visual content (articles, success stories, social media posts, videos, and infographics) that showcase program impact and innovations;

Manage the dissemination of content across multiple platforms, including social media, websites, and e-newsletters;

Support the design and delivery of multimedia training materials;

Identify and leverage synergies with communications staff from the TRANSFORM consortium.

Media Engagement and Public Relations:

Establish and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets;

Organize media events and promotional campaigns to highlight the TRANSFORM Program’s achievements;

Develop and manage communication materials for external audiences, including donors and strategic partners.

Reporting and Documentation:

Collaborate with technical teams to compile, edit, and finalize program reports;

Prepare communication briefs, intervention fact sheets, and other promotional materials;

Maintain a well-organized photo and video library documenting program activities.

Event Coordination:

Plan and execute communication aspects of program events, including media campaigns, press coverage, and community outreach;

Support the organization of training workshops, conferences, and field visits.

Monitoring and Evaluation of Communication Impact:

Collect and analyze feedback to measure the effectiveness of communication strategies;

Adjust approaches based on data insights to enhance engagement and reach.

Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing:

Work closely with TRANSFORM project partners and stakeholders to amplify messaging and engagement;

Coordinate knowledge-sharing activities and best practices across regions.

Requirements

Master’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Development, or a related field;

Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a similar communications role, preferably within the nonprofit sector, agriculture, or rural development;

Ability to think strategically about culture and behavior, business processes, and technology and tools for effective communication and knowledge sharing;

Proficiency in digital communication platforms and software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, video editing tools);

Knowledge of social media management and analytics;

Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of local languages in the project regions is an advantage;

Ability and willingness to travel throughout the program sites in Ethiopia.

Core Competences

Proven ability to translate technical concepts into engaging, accessible content for diverse audiences;

Strong track record in media relations and developing multimedia content (photos, videos, graphics);

Strong writing and editorial skills, including the ability to produce high-quality reports, press releases, and storytelling content;

Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail;

Ability to work independently while managing multiple tasks and deadlines;

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage diverse stakeholders;

Proactive mindset with the ability to generate innovative communication solutions.

Reporting and Work Relationships

The Communication Manager will report to the Program Director and will collaborate closely with project colleagues and consortium members. While not supervising any staff directly, the Communications Manager will work closely with the MELS and Technical teams.

Location

This is a national recruitment with a duty station at the IFDC office based in Ethiopia.

Benefits

IFDC’s benefits include annual and sick leave, health and group life insurance coverage, a 13th-month salary, social security and pension contribution in compliance with local laws and end-of-contract benefits.

Salary Clause

The salary grade for this position is BG 9 with a monthly salary of USD 1,529.

The determination of new employee salaries considers various factors. These include the salary range linked to the assigned job grade, the candidate’s qualifications in relation to the job’s responsibilities and prerequisites, internal fairness, the competitive state of the job market, as well as potential organizational and budgetary considerations.

Diversity Clause

IFDC is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe in the value of bringing together people with a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. All employment decisions at IFDC are made on the basis of ability, performance, and organizational need, in alignment with our values of fairness, respect, and opportunity for all.

About Program

The Transform Soil Fertility Management in Ethiopia (TRANSFORM) Program (2025-2028) is a four-year initiative funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ethiopia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union which aims to improve soil health and fertility management through inclusive, bottom-up, participatory approaches, ensuring more sustainable and productive agricultural systems.

With a focus on strengthening knowledge, access to resources, and supportive policies, TRANSFORM strives to lay the foundation for long-term improvements in farming systems and rural livelihoods in Ethiopia.

TRANSFORM is implemented by a consortium consisting of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), Stichting Wageningen Research – Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR), ISRIC – World Soil Information, Environment and Coffee Forest Forum (ECFF) and SOS Sahel (Ethiopia), all of which are recognized leaders in their respective fields.