Communications Expert

HOW TO APPLY

To apply visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate complete and includes your employment records academic qualifications and language skills
Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
Once your profile is completed please apply and submit your application
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Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

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Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient inclusive resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production better nutrition a better environment and a better life leaving no one behind.

The Division of Agrifood Systems and Food Safety (ESF) at FAO provides strategic leadership to drive agrifood system transformation by supporting FAO HQ decentralized offices Members and partners in taking a systems approach to policy programmes and projects including through normative products methods and tools; documentation and collective learning of systems approaches; and support for implementation at the national and subnational level. It also works to deliver on the FAO Strategic Priorities for Food Safety within the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031 including through the Joint FAO/WHO Scientific Advice Programme and support to the strengthening of national food control systems.

Reporting Lines

The Communication Expert will work under the supervision of Director ESF

Technical Focus

The Communications Expert will lead all communications activities on a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation for ESF. The goal is to increase the awareness and adoption of a systems approach among key stakeholders and enhance the visibility and uptake of FAOs work on taking a systems approach.

Tasks and responsibilities

The successful candidate will support the above areas of work and in particular will:

Lead and execute communications strategy

Execute communications activities aligned with the communications strategy
Identify strategic opportunities for communications on a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation
Prepare communications strategies and plans for key opportunities outputs activities and events adapting communication efforts to different purposes (e.g. resource mobilization awareness raising advocacy).
Gain insights into ESF key target audiences of policymaker practitioners and donors and use to guide communications strategy and activities
Develop and monitor impact of communications activities and adapt strategy accordingly
Maintain regular contact with the work FAO Office of Communications Partnerships Officer and other relevant functions and FAO Divisions/Offices/Centres as applicable.

Lead creation of communication and awareness-raising materials

Draft key messages for ESFs work on a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation and tailor to different audiences
Prepare communications outputs based on normative publications
Develop high-quality compelling clear written materials such as website texts video scripts news items social media posts narratives for infographics and feature stories of systems change.
Leads the research data gathering and writing of stories of systems change
Support Director ESF with communications activities

FAO Standards and guidelines:
Liaison with OCC will be maintained either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator to ensure compliance with OCC standards aligned messaging and appropriate review and clearance processes.
All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31:
FAO social media policy and guidelines:
Social Media Branding Guidelines:
FAOSTYLE
FAO terminology
FAO Names of Countries
Story guidelines Story template UN map standards FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
Further guidance regarding FAO communications policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

University degree in relevant areas such as communications media relations social studies language and other
Minimum 12 years of relevant experience in communications at least 5 years in an area relevant to agrifood systems
Previous experience in FAO and/or the UN systems is considered an asset
Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building Effective Relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

Experience of direct engagement at country-level in the field of agrifood systems
Extent and relevance of experience in communications strategy
Advanced writing skills
Familiarity with FAO and/or UN system

Selection Criteria

Demonstrated experience in strategic communications
Quality of written communications materials
Degree of experience working in international organizations
Presence of some country-level experience

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender nationality background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and to uphold FAOs values
• FAO as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status objectives and mandate including sexual exploitation and abuse sexual harassment abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAOs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency