Knowledge Management Lead

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The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is seeking an experienced and visionary Knowledge Management Lead to drive how ILRI curates, synthesizes, publishes, and mobilizes evidence to inform policy, investment, and practice in low- and middle-income countries. This is a senior leadership role at the intersection of science, policy, publishing, and digital innovation. Shaping how ILRI presents its science and informs key stakeholders is central to ILRI’s ambition to deliver impact at scale under its 2025–2030 strategy.

ILRI is the only CGIAR research centre dedicated entirely to livestock, working across Africa and Asia to support food and nutritional security, climate resilience, and inclusive livelihoods. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, ILRI partners with governments, investors, development agencies, and the private sector to ensure that high-quality research translates into real-world change. Learn more at www.ilri.org.

About the Position

The Knowledge Management Lead will provide strategic leadership across evidence synthesis, flagship publications, publishing and knowledge services, and AI-enabled innovation, positioning ILRI as a global reference point for authoritative, policy-relevant livestock knowledge. The role has a strong external orientation, focused on distilling complex, multi-disciplinary research into compelling products such as flagship reports, state-of-the-art series, and policy briefings for decision-makers.

The position will be preferably in Addis Ababa and the post holder will lead ILRI’s knowledge management functions within the Communications, Advocacy and Knowledge Management (CAKM) team, working closely with research programs, institutional leaders, and CGIAR partners. They will oversee core publishing and repository services, strengthen internal knowledge-sharing practices, and spearhead the responsible adoption of AI-enabled approaches to transform how ILRI manages and delivers knowledge at scale.

Expected Deliverables

• Annual ILRI flagship publication(s) are produced to high editorial standards.
• Linking to other parts of ILRI for managing seminars, high-profile events, etc.
• Operational, updated, and strategic knowledge services (CGSpace, repositories, journals).
• Institutional editorial and publishing workflows are standardized and functioning efficiently.
• Strengthened internal knowledge-sharing practices across ILRI.
• Roadmap and pilots for AI-driven knowledge innovations developed and tested.

Key Responsibilities

Evidence Synthesis and Flagship Publications

• Support the development of an ILRI “Flagship” report and its dissemination.
• Lead efforts to develop a thought leadership strategy for ILRI.
• Oversee production of other key knowledge products for the research programs and ILRI hubs including the Livestock and Climate Hub, Food Systems and Livestock Hub, and Advocacy and Investment Hub.
• Identify ways to use AI to support systematic reviews and other ways to synthesize diverse datasets.
• Work closely with scientists and technical leads to support synthesis of ILRI’s research evidence into high-quality, accessible, and policy-relevant formats and ensure it is of high quality and disseminated widely.
• Provide strategic guidance on editorial quality, consistency, and branding for knowledge products.

b. Publishing and Editorial Services

• Support ILRI’s Publishing Manager to improve systems and procedures in producing scientific publications, including journals, books, briefs, and multimedia publications and materials.
• Oversee editorial services to maintain rigorous peer review, style, and compliance with open-access requirements.

c. Knowledge Services and Systems

• Oversee management of ILRI’s institutional knowledge services, including CGSpace, repositories, data platforms, and digital libraries.
• Ensure accessibility, discoverability, and long-term preservation of ILRI’s knowledge assets.
• Drive user-focused innovations in metadata, indexing, and analytics.
• Oversee support for ILRI journal subscriptions and other knowledge services.

d. Innovation in AI Transformation

• Support ILRI-wide internal communications and knowledge-sharing practices including working with the Head of ICT and Digital Transformation to develop new tools for improved knowledge management within ILRI.
• Lead exploration and piloting of AI-driven approaches to transform knowledge workflows, content generation, and curation.
• Engage and link to the CGIAR knowledge management and digital transformation agenda.
• Support the generation of new ways to use CGSpace using AI-related tools.
• Position ILRI as a leader in applying digital and AI tools to research-for-development knowledge systems.

e. Manage CAKM Operations in Addis

• Strengthen CAKM services on the Addis campus in line with overall CAKM services.
• Link to and collaborate with the advocacy and communication teams to ensure that knowledge products are demand-led and focused on use.

Requirements

• Master’s in Knowledge Management, Publishing, Information Science, Communications, or agriculture and livestock-related fields. PhD in related sector field – agriculture, livestock, development, or natural resource management.
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in knowledge management, publishing, or evidence synthesis within international organizations, research institutions, or development agencies.
• Proven track record in managing flagship publications, policy reports, and scientific outputs to high editorial standards.
• Ability to synthesize data and knowledge from livestock, agriculture, and development and turn into compelling knowledge products for investors, policy makers, and governments.
• Demonstrated expertise in open-access publishing, repositories, and digital knowledge platforms.
• Strong experience in editorial management, publishing workflows, and author relations.
• Familiarity with AI and digital innovations for knowledge and information management.
• Excellent project management, coordination, and interpersonal skills, with ability to work across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong writing, editing, and presentation skills in English; proficiency in French or another international language is an advantage.
• Strategic thinking and ability to link knowledge services to institutional goals.
• Strong leadership in team management, motivation, and capacity development.
• Ability to synthesize complex research into accessible formats for diverse audiences. Strong writing skills are critical.
• Client-oriented approach, responsive to scientists, partners, and stakeholders.

Post location: The position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Terms of Appointment

This position is at job level HG 18, and it is open to both national and international applicants. The position is a three (3) year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive international salary and benefits package which includes pension, medical insurance, life insurance, and allowances for: education, housing, security, relocation, and home leave.

How to Apply

Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, and what they can bring to the job, to the Head of People and Culture through our recruitment portal by clicking the Apply button on or before January 16, 2026.

The position title and reference number REF: KML-CAKM/2083/12/25 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

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