Communications Specialist

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 FAO's 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

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) advances the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation toward more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. This effort promotes better production, improved nutrition, a healthier environment, and enhanced livelihoods, ensuring no one is left behind.

The Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing, and implementing strategies and projects that drive the transformation of food, agriculture, and rural development. It also fosters and maintains relationships with subregional institutions.

The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP).

About the Sustainable transformation of domestic agrifood systems project in Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands.
This project, funded by the Delegation of the European Union (EUD) to the Pacific with a duration of three years, aims to foster resilient and sustainable agrifood systems in Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands by enhancing domestic crops and livestock production.
The project is working towards the following three outputs\:
Output 1\: Strengthened policy and institutional environment in support of national agrifood systems transformation agenda
Output 2\: Strengthened sustainable and community-based production systems
Output 3\: Strengthened capacities for sustainable agrifood systems

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific, the direct supervision of the Technical Adviser (Agrifood Systems), and in close collaboration with the International Communications Specialist and with other national and international consultants of the, ‘Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agrifood Systems (STODAS) Project” in Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands the Communications Specialist will perform the following activities\:

Technical Focus

This role is responsible for enhancing the visibility and outreach of agrifood system transformation initiatives by developing and implementing an adaptive Communication & Visibility Plan, ensuring alignment with FAO policies, donor requirements, and regional priorities. Additionally, the role involves creating compelling multimedia content, managing social media engagement, coordinating with regional and international media, and developing knowledge products to maximize stakeholder awareness and project impact.

Tasks and responsibilities

In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will\:

• Review and Update Communication and Visibility (C&V) Plan\: Regularly assess the project’s C&V plan, identifying necessary updates based on evolving needs, donor requirements, and project milestones. Obtain necessary approvals for revisions in a timely manner.
• Design Branding and Templates\: Develop and customize branding and design templates for all project communication materials. Ensure adherence to donor specifications, FAO policies, and style guidelines to maintain consistency and professionalism across all outputs.
• Develop and Manage Social Media Content\: Create and schedule regular, engaging content for social media platforms to raise awareness about the project and FAO's work in the Pacific. Highlight key activities and partnerships with resource and implementation partners.
• Coordinate Communication Support for National Teams\: Collaborate with national project staff across participating countries to provide tailored communication and visibility support for key events and milestones. This includes creating materials such as banners, posters, brochures, and providing relevant FAO publications and promotional items.
• Leverage International Media Campaigns\: Work with FAO’s SAP, RAP, and HQ Communication Specialists to strategically align the project with internationally recognized days and media campaigns, ensuring maximum visibility and engagement.
• Create and Disseminate ‘Food Hero’ Video Stories\: Oversee the production of impactful ‘food hero’ video stories that feature beneficiaries of the project. Manage the entire process from identifying subjects, conducting interviews, filming, and ensuring high-quality production for broad dissemination.
• Draft and Distribute Press Materials\: Support the drafting of press releases, FAO News stories, and content for the project’s newsletters. Focus on significant events, milestones, and success stories that highlight the project’s impact and achievements.
• Coordinate Knowledge Products\: Facilitate the development of knowledge products, such as policy briefs, by guiding them through FAO’s PWS process. Ensure these materials are finalized and published in line with FAO standards.
• Monitor and Engage with Regional Media\: Continuously monitor media coverage in the Pacific related to agrifood system transformation. Proactively identify potential collaboration opportunities with regional media outlets to amplify the project’s impact and visibility.

FAO Standards and guidelines\:

Liaison with the OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes.
All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including\:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31\: https\://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines\: https\://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines\: https\://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE\: https\://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http\://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https\://www.fao.org/nocs/en    
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

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of relevant work experience in strategic communications, media engagement, and content development, preferably within international development or the agrifood sector.
• Full proficiency in English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Efficiency, competence and integrity as well as negotiating skills, tact and diplomacy are essential.
• Able to work with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural project partners at regional and international level;
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Extent of knowledge of FAO standard operational rules and procedures and project/programme administrative management procedures
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with experience liaising between diverse project stakeholders.
• Extent of knowledge of FAO’s corporate systems and database, or knowledge of other accounting or financial modules or applications relevant to accounting procedures or project budget management would be considered an asset.
• Demonstrated analytical and judgment skills and ability to apply rules and regulations in the subject field.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience in managing communication strategies, developing branding materials, and coordinating multimedia content for regional or international projects.

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

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
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• 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.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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