Communication and Reporting Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level. 
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. 
Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
(i)    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii)    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
(iii)     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
(iv)    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
(v)    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of FAOR and direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Administration) the incumbent will perform the tasks described below.

Technical Focus

Enhance the visibility and outreach of FAO Iran’s initiatives through strategic communication, media engagement, and content development. Support the dissemination of key messages and knowledge products aligned with FAO’s mandate and corporate communication standards.

Tasks and responsibilities

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

•    Develop, organize and implements publicity/outreach, knowledge sharing events and promotional opportunities (roundtable discussions, press conferences, briefing sessions, exclusive and occasional interviews, seminars, visiting media organizations, etc.);
•    Coordinate, organize, develop and prepare signboards, display banners, flyers, brochures, booklets, press kits, infographics and other textual, multimedia, and promotional items.
•    Produce advocacy materials, including articles, testimonial videos, human-interest and in-action stories, interviews with stakeholders and beneficiaries and other textual and multimedia outputs for dissemination through various communication and media channels, and ensure conformity to FAO Style and corporate communications policies;
•    Create and record in the Publication Workflow System (PWS) for online and printed materials and making required follow ups. 
•    Collect, prepare and update the required material for the office and project websites including partnership and links, project information (objectives, activities, expected results, etc.).
•    Coordinate, develop, prepare and disseminate information, report, press release, news stories, public information notes and social media at national and regional levels on the activities being delivered; supervise and plans on FAO Iran’s on-line channels of communications (including websites and social media accounts.) 
•    Monitor the national media coverage related to topics within FAO’s mandate and establish and maintain a network of media focal points and journalists;
•    Track and log all media reports involving the FAO at country level and send report to both FAO Representative and RAP Communication Officer for Senior Officers Media Initiative (SOMI) notification.
•    Prepare, translate and edit statements/talking points to be delivered by the FAO Representative.
•    Create and update the database of national and international media to generate contact list of: editors (for developing strategic alliance and for placing Op-eds), chief of bureau (for invitations to attend press conferences, briefing sessions, etc.) and news editors (for sending media releases) and journalists working in agriculture & development related areas;
•    Contribute to the United Nations Communication Group (UNCG) in Iran and participates in UNCG meetings on behalf of FAO;
•    Regularly consult and coordinate with the Regional Communication Officer for Asia and the Pacific and Office of Corporate Communication (OCC) to ensure coherence with FAO’s corporate communication policy, operational guidelines for all communication and information outputs, and obtain the necessary clearances;
•    Contribute to the preparation of quarterly and annual reports of the FAO Representation in Iran under the supervision of Assistant FAO Representative (Administration).
•    Contribute to the preparation and conducting of project inception workshops and baseline studies to raise visibility and all other awareness activities to be undertaken at projects sites;
•    Record and document the implementation of project activities and ensure the collection of information and data required for project monitoring and reporting, including interim and final narrative progress reports;
•    Prepare all the necessary periodic programme/project narrative progress and final reports on progress in the various targeted outputs of the programme/project in close consultation with project staff, Operations Officer and Lead Technical Officer (LTO);
•    Act as the Gender Focal Point at FAIRA.
•    Act as the Youth Focal Point at FAIRA.
•    Perform any other related duties as required.

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.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    University degree in relevant field in Communication and Media functions, International Relations/Political Science and Public Relations
•    Minimum two years of relevant experience in Communication, Advocacy and Public Information 
•    Working knowledge of English and Persian
•    National of the Islamic Republic of Iran

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

•    Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
•    Proven communications skills

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION