Assistant Director Outreach

ACIAR is a small agency with a domestic and international focus. It comprises three branches: Research, Partnerships and Corporate.

Under the Partnerships stream, the Outreach team provides professional support to ACIAR, working closely with Program Managers and project staff to communicate agricultural and scientific information in ways that meet the information needs of key stakeholders and audiences in Australia and overseas. This includes delivering a range of communication activities including campaigns, pro-active stakeholder engagement, and a program of publications for technical and non-technical, overseas decision makers and on-ground agricultural audiences.

ACIAR has a strong program of communicating through digital media, including its website and social media accounts. Creating high quality editorial, video and photographic content is a key emphasis.

The team undertakes a range of public awareness and stakeholder engagement activities, including events, print and online publications and social media to promote agricultural research as part of Australia's development program.

We communicate the results and impacts of the research in accordance with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Act 1982 and in close collaboration with our research partners.

We are also a focal point for ACIAR's stakeholder engagement. We work closely with ACIAR's Country Managers, Program Managers, DFAT - desk and post - and The Crawford Fund to facilitate partnership and engagement with NGOs, the private sector and research communities.

The Assistant Director provides management support for the Director, Outreach by leading several key programs, mentoring staff and managing consultants and contractors. Through delivery of communication campaigns and activities, the role takes a strategic view of the most effective ways to present ACIAR's work across traditional and digital forms of media, and at events. The role also contributes to enhancing awareness of ACIAR by telling ACIAR's stories in compelling and engaging ways. The key duties of the position include:

Under the general direction of the Director, Outreach the Assistant Director, Outreach will be required to:
Contribute to the development and delivery of ACIAR's Outreach program, including developing and implementing campaign strategies and workplans for the Outreach Team.
Develop digital content, including managing technical consultants and contractors, ensuring effective engagement with domestic and international audiences through the various channels and media, including video, photography and short and long-form editorial.
Work with communication officers in ACIAR country and regional offices to ensure cohesion, development and well-executed implementation of stakeholder engagement and communication plans. As well as providing feedback and mentoring to ensure continuous capacity building of international staff.
Work with a content-centred approach to raising awareness of ACIAR and ensuring the information needs of audiences are met through a range of channels including digital, external media, face-to-face and hard-copy.
Liaise with subject matter experts and conduct research, fact checking and writing for the preparation of publications, media visits, media releases, speeches, presentations, reports and briefs.
Organise ACIAR virtual and in-person events and/or ACIAR presence at key industry events and create bespoke collateral and represent ACIAR in stakeholder forums.
Contribute to the maintenance and management of the organisation's digital communications assets including multimedia library of photos and videos.
Undertake contract management functions in regard to a network of suppliers and contractors where required.
Mentor and provide guidance to junior staff to ensure high quality outcomes.
Work collaboratively within the Outreach Team to provide support when required Eligibility

Australian Citizenship - our successful candidate must be an Australian citizen

Security clearance - our successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment screening prior to commencement Getting to know the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)

The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is a statutory agency within the Australian Government's Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio. It operates under the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Act 1982. ACIAR invests in collaborative research and knowledge-sharing partnerships to improve the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder farming, fishing and forestry communities in Africa, South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. We work with governments and institutions to grow food more efficiently, increase food system resilience, improve human nutrition, empower women and girls, reduce poverty, and manage natural resources sustainably. Our partnerships prioritise economic, social and environmental benefits for partner countries, and contribute to the development of our international and Australian partner institutions' research, policy and leadership capabilities. Further information on our current projects, programs and priorities can be found at It's important to note that ACIAR are responsible for commissioning research, not undertaking research.