Strategic Communication and Outreach Specialist

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 Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) enables the transition to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable plant production and protection through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices in order to increase production in a sustainable manner in order to eradicate hunger while preserving the natural resources and environment for future use.

The post is located in the Office of the Director, Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP).

Reporting Lines

The consultant will report to the NSP Director and will work with NSP Technical Teams and the Office of Communications (OCC). Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes.

Technical Focus

Technical leadership in strategic communication for NSP Division.

Tasks and Responsibilities

1. Lead the development of strategic communication products and materials to amplify the visibility and impacts of NSP work at global scale e.g. key messages, brochures, newsletters, factsheets, reports and social media posts.
2. Under the guidance of OCC, identify opportunities to promote NSP work and impacts, e.g. online media, social media, TV stations, podcasts, and other outlets.
3. Lead the development of speeches and presentation materials for the Director and Deputy Director of NSP.
4. Lead strategic engagement with other divisions and decentralized offices to produce high impact communication tools, products and materials.
5. Manage, in collaboration with the relevant teams, the divisional input to corporate social media accounts.
6. Contribute to the development of strategic communication efforts to strengthen NSP partnership and resource mobilization efforts.
7. Support resource mobilization efforts of the division in collaboration with technical teams from NSP and other divisions or offices.
8. Under the guidance of OCC, and in consultation with the technical experts of the division provide timely response to media requests and other communication related requests.
9. Produce/draft communication-related documents, multimedia products, online content, press releases and strategic speeches.
10. Ensure that all materials follow FAO guidance on communications, policies and procedures.

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: 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.

Other tasks as requested by the Director of NSP.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in communication studies, journalism or related fields.
• 8 to 10 years of relevant experience in strategic communication, journalism, media engagement or related fields.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

• Good understanding of strategic communication and high-level skills in written and visual forms of communication.
• Demonstration of previous work in strategic communication and their impact.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of communication services for prominent organizations, particularly at the international level, including substantive experience in journalism.
• Extent and relevance of experience in drafting high-quality written materials for a wide variety of audiences.
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.