Consultant, Communications Specialist, ACF

Consultant, Communications Specialist, ACF

The Organization

The Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation (ACF) is a strategic coalition of ambitious countries determined to act urgently, together. Launched at COP28 in Dubai, signatories to the Alliance are committing to driving bold, coordinated action, taking a ‘whole of government’ approach to transforming their food systems such that they deliver better outcomes across 5 key areas: Food nutrition and security; adaptation and resilience; equity and livelihoods; nature and biodiversity; and climate mitigation. ACF countries are working to improve their national food systems in ways that become attractive blueprints for others to follow, showcasing national leadership, facilitating learning, disseminating knowledge and accelerating innovation. ACF members include Brazil and Sierra Leone (co-chairs) plus Cambodia, Colombia, Italy, Norway, Rwanda and Vietnam.

About the position

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), on behalf of ACF, is seeking a qualified Communications Specialist to provide communications and coordination support to the ACF Secretariat, contributing to the implementation of strategic communications activities that enhance the visibility, engagement, and impact of the Alliance. The consultant will support ACF's communications efforts by developing and adapting communications products, strengthening digital communications channels, coordinating communications activities, and contributing to monitoring and reporting on communications performance. Working closely with the Senior Communications Specialist, the ACF strategic communications advisory partner, and other Secretariat colleagues, the consultant will contribute to showcasing member country leadership, promoting progress on food systems transformation, and delivering high-quality communications outputs that support ACF's advocacy, visibility, and stakeholder engagement objectives.

Responsibilities

1. Content Development and Editorial Support (30%)

• Develop communications materials for a range of audiences and channels that showcases member country leadership, policy progress, investment mobilization efforts, and evidence of impact, including website content, newsletters, social media posts, briefing notes, media lines, quote cards, and other communications products.
  
• Adapt technical reports, country stories, and strategic documents into concise, audience-friendly communications products.
  
• Prepare communications toolkits, campaign assets, and supporting materials for priority international events and advocacy moments.
  
• Provide editorial review and quality assurance support to ensure consistency of messaging, tone, branding, and style across communications outputs.
  

2. Digital Channels and Platform Management (30%)

• Work with ACF external communications partner on the ACF website redesign, including working to populate the new pages once the new format has been designed in the summer/autumn 2026.
  
• Develop, prepare and publish content for ACF's digital communications channels, including LinkedIn and the ACF website.
  
• Prepare and upload content across digital platforms and liaise with external service providers as required.
  
• Provide technical and content support for ACF website redesign and relaunch process.
  
• Develop and disseminate newsletters and routine communications products.
  

3. Editorial Planning and Coordination (20%)

• Develop and maintain editorial and content calendars aligned with ACF priorities and key international events.
  
• Identify and document opportunities to expand the reach of ACF communications through partner platforms and external networks.
  
• Gather and compile content contributions from member countries, partners, and external stakeholders.
  
• Prepare communications materials and provide logistical support for member meetings, campaigns, and external events.
  

4. Amplification and Network Support (15%)

·       Develop communications materials and dissemination packages that can be used by member countries, partners, and champions through their own communications channels.

·       Identify and document opportunities to expand the reach of ACF communications through partner platforms and external networks.

·       Develop and periodically update stakeholder, media, and dissemination contact databases.

·       Assess audience engagement data and identify opportunities for follow-up communications and outreach activities.

5. Monitoring, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement (5%)

·       Compile and analyze communications performance data across digital, media, and stakeholder engagement channels.

·       Prepare periodic performance reports covering communications outputs, audience growth, reach, and engagement.

·       Monitor and summarize relevant developments, media coverage, and emerging opportunities related to ACF communications objectives.

·       Provide recommendations to strengthen communications performance, audience engagement, and channel effectiveness.

Deliverables 

1.       Content development and editorial support

1.1. Showcase ACF member country successes, including by adapting technical reports, country stories, and strategic documents into concise, audience-friendly communications products, with at least eight such products developed by 31 May 2027.

1.2. Working with the Senior Communications Specialist and external communications partner, produce communications content packages in support of 2-4 major advocacy and international events, including CFS54 and UNFCCC COP31. These packages should include LinkedIn posts, website articles, newsletters, briefing notes, media lines, quote cards, and related content. By 31 May 2027.

2.       Digital channels and platform management

2.1. Develop and implement digital communications content and website enhancement products, including:

• One website content review and restructuring package completed to support the relaunch of the ACF website (working with the Senior Communications Specialist) – by 31 August 2026.
  
• Monthly website content updates (at least 10), with new pages and/or revised content pieces prepared and published – by 31 May 2027
  
• Approximately 50 LinkedIn posts drafted, scheduled, and published during the contract period, with the ACF LinkedIn follower base increased to 7,000 by 31 May 2027
  

3. Editorial planning and coordination

3.1 Develop editorial planning and communications coordination tools, including:

• An editorial and content calendar covering the period to 31 May 2027. by 31 August 2026
  
• Monthly updates (at least 10) to the editorial calendar maintained throughout the assignment
  
• Work with the Senior Communications Specialist and ACF external communications partner to prepare a communications plan and content packages for at least 2 external ACF events at international fora – by 31 May 2027.
  

4. Amplification and network support

4.1 Prepare communications amplification materials and stakeholder outreach tools, including:

• Develop a master distribution and stakeholder contact database – by 31 August 2026
  
• At least four communications dissemination packages prepared for campaigns and events, including COP31 – by 31 May 2027
  
• Produce and disseminate at least one communications/amplification package for each of the ACF’s eight member countries – by 31 May 2027
  

5. Monitoring, reporting, and continuous improvement 

5.1 Produce communications performance monitoring and learning products, including:

• Develop four quarterly communications performance reports, including content production, digital performance, audience growth, website traffic, and engagement metrics – by 31 May 2027
  
• Provide four quarterly recommendations to improve communications performance and audience reach – by 31 May 2027
  

Requirements

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public affairs, digital content, journalism, or a related field.
  
• Solid professional experience (minimum 5 years) in one of the fields above.
  
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to adapt tone and format for different channels and audiences.
  
• Experience managing social media channels and websites in a professional context.
  
• Ability to turn complex material into clear, engaging, audience-appropriate content.
  
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and stakeholders at once.
  
• Experience using digital platforms, content management systems (e.g. WordPress or similar), and basic analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics, LinkedIn analytics).
  
• Experience of event organisation / management
  
• Good judgement, attention to detail, and commitment to high-quality output.
  
• Collaborative working style and ability to coordinate effectively across teams and partners.
  
• Excellent spoken and written English. 
  

Desirable

• Experience working in an international NGO, coalition, public policy, or mission-driven organisation.
  
• Familiarity with communications on food systems, climate, development, agriculture, or related policy issues.
  
• Experience producing simple visual content or working closely with designers and external providers.
  
• Interest in political communications, thought leadership, and digital influence.
  
• Spanish language skills would be an advantage.
  

Benefits

4)  Proposed consultancy fees for the period, indicated in daily USD.