Marketing and Outreach Consultant
The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture(ICBA) is an international, non-profit agricultural research center established in 1999 through the visionary leadership of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), and the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ICBA is a unique applied agricultural research center in the world that is focused on biosaline and arid environment where an estimated 1.7 billion people live. It identifies, tests and introduces resource-efficient, climate-smart crops and technologies that are best suited to different regions affected by salinity, water scarcity and drought. Through its work, ICBA helps to improve food security and livelihoods for some of the poorest rural communities around the world. ICBA is an equal opportunity employer and appoints qualified staff regardless of race, creed, color, age, gender, religion or national origin. We demonstrate our commitment to each member of our team through a competitive benefits package designed to assist our employees to cover their needs and the needs of their immediate family members.
The consultant will provide strategic leadership in developing and implementing integrated marketing and outreach initiatives that effectively communicate ICBA's scientific excellence, development impact, innovations, and strategic priorities to governments, donors, development organizations, research institutions, academia, the private sector, media, and the general public.
The consultant will work closely with the Director General and all ICBA divisions to strengthen institutional branding, support fundraising efforts, increase stakeholder engagement, and expand ICBA's international visibility.
The consultant shall uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, confidentiality, and impartiality, and shall comply with ICBA's policies, procedures, and code of conduct throughout the duration of the assignment.
The consultant will undertake, but not be limited to, the following responsibilities:
1. Institutional Marketing Strategy
- Develop a comprehensive Marketing and Outreach Strategy aligned with ICBA's Strategic Plan (2024–2034).
- Prepare annual marketing and communications implementation plans.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen ICBA's international positioning.
- Develop measurable marketing objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
- Advise senior management on strategic communication opportunities.
2. Branding and Corporate Identity
- Review and strengthen ICBA's corporate branding and visual identity.
- Ensure consistency across all communication products and institutional materials.
- Develop key institutional messages tailored to different stakeholder groups.
- Strengthen ICBA's value proposition for governments, donors, research institutions, investors, and the private sector.
3. Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement
- Design outreach strategies targeting:
- Governments
- Donor agencies
- Development partners
- Research organizations
- Universities
- International organizations
- Private sector
- Youth
- Women
- Farmers
- Develop stakeholder engagement campaigns that promote ICBA's research and development initiatives.
- Identify strategic opportunities to enhance institutional influence and partnerships.
4. Digital Marketing
- Develop ICBA's digital marketing strategy.
- Recommend approaches to improve website visibility and user engagement.
- Support content planning for digital platforms.
- Develop campaigns to increase online engagement.
- Monitor digital analytics and recommend continuous improvements.
5. Media and Public Relations
- Develop media engagement strategies.
- Build relationships with regional and international media.
- Prepare press releases, media statements, and interview briefs.
- Promote ICBA's achievements through targeted media campaigns.
- Identify opportunities for international media coverage.
6. Event Marketing and Promotion
Lead communication and promotional activities for:
- International conferences
- Ministerial meetings
- Scientific workshops
- Capacity development programmes
- Product launches
- International campaigns
- Exhibitions
- High-level visits
Develop:
- Event branding
- Promotional campaigns
- Media kits
- Communication toolkits
- Press materials
- Event reports
7. Fundraising and Partnership Communications
Support ICBA's resource mobilization efforts by developing:
- Donor communication materials
- Investment cases
- Institutional brochures
- Partnership profiles
- Project concept notes
- Pitch decks
- Success stories
- Impact stories
- Corporate presentations
Ensure all communication products effectively demonstrate ICBA's scientific excellence and development impact.
8. Knowledge Translation
Transform scientific outputs into communication products suitable for different audiences, including:
- Policy briefs
- Executive summaries
- Case studies
- Success stories
- Impact stories
- Infographics
- Factsheets
- Videos
- Annual reports
- Publications
9. Strategic Campaigns
Develop and implement communication campaigns supporting:
- Climate-resilient agriculture
- Food security
- Water security
- Salinity management
- Sustainable agriculture
- Capacity development
- Women in agriculture
- Youth engagement
- Innovation
- Technology adoption
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
10. Monitoring and Reporting
Develop a communication performance framework that includes:
- Website analytics
- Media coverage
- Digital engagement
- Social media performance
- Campaign effectiveness
- Stakeholder engagement
- Brand visibility
- Partnership outreach
Prepare quarterly reports with recommendations for improvement.
Expected Deliverables
The consultant will produce:
- Marketing and Outreach Strategy
- Annual Communication Plan
- Branding and Messaging Framework
- Stakeholder Engagement Strategy
- Digital Marketing Strategy
- Media Engagement Plan
- Event Communication Packages
- Donor Communication Toolkit
- Partnership Promotion Materials
- Institutional Presentations
- Quarterly Progress Reports
- Final Consultancy Report with recommendations
Education
- Master's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business Administration, International Development, or a related discipline.
- A PhD or additional professional qualifications in strategic communications or marketing would be an advantage.
Professional Experience
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, strategic communications, outreach, branding, or stakeholder engagement.
- Demonstrated experience working with international organizations, research institutions, development agencies, NGOs, or the private sector.
- Proven experience in institutional branding and reputation management.
- Experience supporting fundraising, donor engagement, and partnership development.
- Strong experience in developing communication strategies and managing high-profile campaigns.
- Experience organizing and promoting international events and conferences.
- Experience working in agriculture, climate change, food security, environmental sustainability, or international development is highly desirable.
Languages
- Excellent written and spoken English is required.
- Fluency in Arabic is required.
- Proficiency in additional languages is considered a strong asset.
Competencies
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Excellent communication and storytelling skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Creativity and innovation
- Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
- Strong project management skills
- Excellent writing and editing abilities
- Ability to simplify complex scientific information for diverse audiences
- High level of professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines
Performance Indicators
Performance will be assessed against:
- Quality and timeliness of deliverables
- Effectiveness of marketing and outreach strategies
- Increased institutional visibility
- Growth in stakeholder engagement
- Quality of branding and communication products
- Media coverage achieved
- Support provided to fundraising and partnership development
- Innovation and creativity in communication campaigns
- Overall contribution to ICBA's strategic objectives
*Preference will be given to qualified UAE Nationals. Applications are also invited from candidates currently residing in the UAE with a valid residency.