Communications Officer SC9

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

15 August 2025-23:59-GMT+08:00 Taipei Standard Time (Taipei)

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).

This job is based at the World Food Programme (WFP) China Office in Beijing, China. WFP has a unique threefold presence in China, which includes: a Partnership Office presence that develops public and private partnerships for increased resource mobilization; a Country Office presence that implements a Country Strategy Plan supporting China’s High Quality Achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and a Centre of Excellence for Rural Transformation that facilitates impactful, demand-drive South-South and Triangular Cooperation.

The officer will serve as the Head of the Communications and Media Unit, driving visibility and enhancing the impact of WFP's mission in China. This includes strengthening WFP's reputation and positioning through effective internal and external communication. The scope of work includes managing multiple social media platforms, designing, and launching campaigns, as well as localising events and activities highlighting global priorities.

The incumbent will report to the Deputy Director, under the overall direction of the Director, to ensure that the China office communications activities serve WFP needs in the country of assignment, taking into consideration the overall communications plan and WFP's corporate communications goals.

The Head of Communications and Media will develop and implement WFP China’s Communications and Media Strategy, in alignment with WFP global corporate strategy and priorities. The officer will be responsible to develop key messaging in multiple formats on WFP’s work and impact, as well as building advocacy through creating cause awareness to garner support from partners and stakeholders to keep food security and nutrition a priority.  The Officer will lead, motivate and supervise of team of technical communications associates.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

1. Develop and implement country specific communication work plans designed to maintain and enhance the visibility and reputation of WFP, as well as support fundraising activities, ensuring alignment with overall communications and WFP strategies.

2. Design communications campaigns and multiple media products through good research, analysis of assigned area of work and timely preparation and distribution of information products to target audience(s). Build partnerships with media companies, creative agencies, Goodwill Ambassadors, and social media influencers to increase the impact of WFP’s brand-building and fundraising efforts. 

3.     Maintain a contact list of journalists and media outlets and support the flow of news/information about WFP’s work to the media, in order to support regular and appropriate communications.

4.     Implement a social media plan by developing social media content, and utilising platforms, networks and partners to enhance coverage and support of WFP’s activities.

5.     Support donor specific visibility content including, text, photos, videos and audio for use across a range of integrated online platforms, in order to support global and country fund-raising activities, ensuring consistency with corporate messages.

6.     Monitor and analyse traditional and social media to inform the development and/or evaluation of communication activities and strategies.

7.     Guide and supervise a team, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with more complex analysis and queries.

8.     Collate outreach data contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reports, Support communications activities that enable informed decision making and ensures consistency of information presented to the media and other stakeholders.

9.     Support capacity building of WFP staff on all aspects of communication, provides advice and guidance within area and level of expertise, in order to ensure that all activities meet desired standards of consistency, quality and impact. For example the design and review of training materials.

10. Liaise and interact with WFP staff and external counterparts to support aligned activities and a coherent approach to communications within WFP.

11. Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to support WFP to quickly respond and deploy food and needed resources to affected areas at the onset of a crisis.

12. Other as required.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

•     Has gained experience in utilising specialist communications techniques to enhance functional outputs

•     Has provided direction and instruction to more junior staff members within area of expertise

WORK EXPERIENCE

Five years of progressively professional work in the relative business stream  Previous work experience in the UN/international organizations/NGOs  and private sector will be considered an advantage.

STANDARD MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:      Advanced University degree in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Language:        Fluency in both written and spoken English and Chinese is required for this position. Fluency in French is desirable.

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 committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

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.