DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

24 October 2024-23:59-GMT+05:00 Pakistan Standard Time (Karachi)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security worldwide. In Pakistan, WFP plays a critical role in supporting national efforts to enhance food and nutrition security, improve resilience, and respond to emergencies. To strengthen its outreach and advocacy, WFP seeks a dynamic Senior Communications Officer to lead communication strategies that effectively convey WFP’s impact and drive engagement among key stakeholders. The position will be based in the country office of WFP Pakistan in Islamabad.

Position Title: Communications Officer

Grade: NOC

Duty Station: Islamabad, Pakistan

Contract Type: Fixed-Term

Duration: 1 year (extendable)

Reporting to: Head of Partnerships, Communications and Reporting

Date of Publication: 11 October, 2024
Deadline of Application: 24 October, 2024

This vacancy announcement is for Pakistani Nationals.
Note: This vacancy announcement will also be used to build a roster of pre-qualified applicants for future opportunities within same job profile at the current or lower level in Pakistan.

1. TERMS & CONDITIONS
WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary, pension, leave plus a medical insurance.

2.Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Planning and Implementation

• Manage the communications team.
• Implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with WFP’s global objectives and the country office strategic framework to enhance visibility, advocacy, and public awareness in Pakistan.
• Lead the development of communication campaigns and initiatives that showcase WFP’s efforts and impact in Pakistan, including in food security, nutrition, social protection, gender, climate resilience, and emergency response.
• Advise senior management on strategic communications approaches, ensuring consistent and impactful messaging across all communication platforms.
• Support WFP’s advocacy efforts by identifying key opportunities to position WFP as a leader in addressing food insecurity, nutrition, and climate resilience in Pakistan.

2. Media Relations and Public Engagement

• Serve as the main point of contact for media inquiries and proactively build strong relationships with local, national, and international media outlets.
• Draft and distribute press releases, op-eds, media advisories, and other media products, coordinate media briefings and press conferences.
• Monitor media coverage and provide timely responses to mis/disinformation or inaccuracies.

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3. Content Development and Storytelling

• Oversee the production of high-quality multimedia content, including videos,

• articles, photos, and social media posts, that highlight WFP’s impact and human stories from the field.

• Lead the development of communication products, including advocacy briefs,

• fact sheets, brochures, newsletters, and digital assets, ensuring they are accurate, compelling and in line with WFP’s brand guidelines.

4. Social Media and Digital Engagement

• Manage WFP Pakistan’s social media platforms, ensuring consistent, engaging, and strategic content that grows audience reach and engagement.
• Track and analyse digital metrics to optimize content strategy and report on social media performance.

5. Partnership and Advocacy Support

• Collaborate with other programme units to identify and amplify key advocacy messages, particularly in areas such as stunting prevention, school meals, healthy food choices and diet diversification, and climate resilience.
• Identify opportunities for strategic communications with the private sector, think tanks, academia and relevant institutes.
• Work closely with government counterparts, UN agencies, donors, partners and other stakeholders to align messaging and communication efforts.

6. Crisis Communications and Emergency Response

• Provide rapid communication support during emergency responses, including content gathering from the field, media missions, visits to document WFP’s work and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop and implement crisis communication plans to secure international media coverage, manage reputational risks during emergencies or high-profile situations.

7. Capacity Building and Mentorship

• Mentor and build the capacity of the communications team, providing guidance, training, and professional development opportunities.
• Foster a collaborative working environment that encourages innovation and creativity within the communications team.

3.Qualifications and Experience

• Education:

​Advanced university degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, International Relations, or related field, or a first university degree with additional two years of related work experience.

• Experience:

​At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, journalism, or public relations, preferably with experience in international organizations, non-profits, or the development sector.

• Skills and Competencies:

• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with a proven ability to develop and execute successful communication strategies.

• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills; ability to craft compelling narratives.

• Experience managing media relations and responding to high-pressure situations.

• Proficiency in social media management, content creation, and digital analytics.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders.

• Proven leadership and team management skills.

• Languages:

​  Fluency in English and Urdu required; knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

4.How to Apply

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings). Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action. 

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

 

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

 

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

 

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

 

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.