Executive Communications Lead

Center for International Forestry Research
Center for International Forestry Research

Marketing & Communications

Nairobi, Kenya

Posted on Oct 20, 2026

1.CEO and Senior Leadership Communications

  • Provide strategic communications support to the CEO and other members of senior leadership.

o Draft and edit speeches, keynote addresses, talking points, briefing notes, presentations, correspondence, statements and other executive communications.

o Develop concise executive briefs that synthesize complex issues, organizational positions and relevant external developments.

o Prepare leaders for meetings, interviews, panels, conferences, donor engagements and other high-level interactions.

o Adapt content to the communication style, voice and priorities of individual executives while maintaining consistency with the organization’s positioning.

o Anticipate communications needs and proactively identify opportunities for leadership engagement.

2. Executive Positioning and Thought Leadership

  • Support the positioning of the CEO and senior leadership as authoritative voices on issues central to the organization’s mission.

o Identify opportunities for executive thought leadership linked to organizational priorities and major global policy agendas.

o Develop narratives, messages and evidence that strengthen executive positioning.

o Draft or coordinate executive social media content, opinion pieces, commentaries, forewords and other thought-leadership products.

o Monitor relevant global developments and identify issues on which senior leadership should communicate or engage.

o Work with communications colleagues to connect executive visibility with broader institutional campaigns and priorities.

3. Research and Strategic Briefing

  • Provide high-quality research and analysis to underpin executive communications.

o Conduct rapid research on policy, scientific, political, economic and institutional issues relevant to leadership engagements.

o Distill complex information into clear, decision-useful briefs and messages.

o Verify facts, statistics, quotations and references used in executive communications.

o Work with technical experts across the organization to ensure scientific accuracy while maintaining accessible and compelling language.

o Maintain relevant background materials, key messages, organizational facts and evidence for executive use.

4. Major Events and High-Level Convenings

  • Provide communications and substantive preparation for major international events, leadership meetings and strategic convenings.

o Develop executive communications packages for major conferences, summits, bilateral meetings, donor engagements and organizational events.

o Prepare speeches, talking points, session briefs, participant profiles, anticipated questions and background materials.

o Support development of the strategic narrative and leadership objectives for priority events.

o Coordinate with events, media, digital and program teams before, during and following major engagements.

o Identify opportunities to extend the impact of executive participation through media, digital communications and follow-up engagement.

5. Internal Leadership Communications

  • Support clear and consistent communication between senior leadership and staff.

o Draft CEO and senior leadership messages to staff, including organizational updates, strategic announcements and communications around significant institutional developments.

o Support preparation for staff meetings, town halls, leadership forums and other internal engagements.

o Help maintain consistency between internal and external leadership messaging.

o Advise on tone, sequencing and communication approaches for sensitive or complex organizational issues.

6. Coordination Across Communications

  • Ensure executive communications are integrated with the organization’s wider communications program.

o Work closely with corporate, regional, program and project communications teams to identify priorities, evidence, stories and opportunities for executive engagement.

o Coordinate with media, digital, events, publications and creative teams to maximize the impact of leadership communications.

o Ensure executive messaging reflects organizational strategy, positioning and brand.

o Maintain effective workflows for commissioning, reviewing and approving executive communications.

o Build strong working relationships with technical experts and leadership offices across the organization.

7. Editorial Quality and Executive Voice

  • Maintain exceptional editorial standards across all executive communications.

o Ensure communications are concise, compelling, accurate, audience-appropriate and aligned with organizational priorities.

o Maintain a recognizable and authentic executive voice across speeches, correspondence, presentations and digital channels.

o Apply rigorous editorial quality control, including fact-checking, consistency and appropriate use of evidence.

o Translate technical and scientific language into accessible narratives without compromising accuracy.

o Develop and maintain executive messaging, style and voice guidance where appropriate.