Organizational Setting
FAOโs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty (GAAHP) initiated under the G20 Presidency of Brazil aims at providing sustained, high-level political impetus to eradicate poverty, hunger, and malnutrition worldwide. Under the Alliance, a Policy Basket will provide a menu of policy instruments proven to have a positive impact on reducing hunger, food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty that can be adapted to national or subnational contexts, and whose adaptation and implementation can be supported, upon the request of a Global Alliance member.
ย
These policy interventions will be supported through a combination of three pillars: i) a National Pillar for domestic policy and programme implementation and/or direct country-to-country support and lesson sharing; ii) a Financial support pillar for multilateral and bilateral funding, development finance, innovative financial mechanisms, climate funding, philanthropy and others; and iii) a Knowledge pillar where institutions offer technical assistance and cooperation, capacity building and knowledge sharing. Global Alliance members can both provide and request support for any of these components.
The Global Alliance is implemented through a Support Mechanism hosted by FAO to create synergies and leverage technical expertise of the UN Development System and its existing footprint of UN agencies, funds, and programmes. The Support Mechanism will consist of:
โข ย ย a Rome Office based at FAO that will focus on the knowledge and finance pillars;ย
โข ย ย three Global South Offices in Brasilia, Addis Ababa and Bangkok that will focus on the national and knowledge pillars; and
โข ย ย a Washington Office that will focus on the finance pillar and relevant technical expertise and contributions by the International Financial Institutions (IFIs).ย
All five offices will work under the overall leadership of the Director of the Support Mechanism of the Global Alliance, who will lead the Support Mechanism on delivering the priorities established by the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty in accordance with FAOโs rules and procedures. This Support Mechanism shall remain autonomous from the hosting organization as an independent mechanism that will follow the mandate and approach contained in the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Povertyยดs Terms of Reference and Governance Framework as well as the guidance from the Board of Champions and Core Group of the Global Alliance.ย
This position is with the Alliance Support Mechanism, which is administratively located in the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. ย
Reporting Lines
The Communication Officer reports to the Director, Support Mechanism of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.
Technical Focus
Media relations, internal corporate communication, public affairs, advocacy and strategic communication for policy issues, international affairs and high-level partnerships.
Key Results
Contribute to the development and strengthening of internal and external communications, multimedia production, web content, media relations and publishing activities of the Alliance.
Key Functions
Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology-related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support internal and/or external communication. Produces/drafts a variety of information and reports as well as inputs for communication-related documents, multimedia products and online content. Devises, implements and monitors communications strategies and provides day-to-day support for strategic outputs. Designs and develops new media outlets/assets to increase brand visibility and maximize impact on communication platforms. Establishes, develops and maintains working relationships with key media organizations, journalists and other relevant strategic partners as part of external communication activities in order to raise the visibility. Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems and processes. Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams; collaborates and coordinates with technical teams of Alliance partners on work groups and committees and promotes best practices as they relate to Alliance-managed communications. Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.Specific Functions
Contributes to planning and implementing an advocacy and communication strategy in support of the Global Alliance's mission and to enhance its mandate in the public domain. Develops the communications work plan for the Global Alliance, in coordination with the other offices of the Support Mechanism and other Alliance partners. Supports strategic planning and preparation of high-level events. Provides communication related inputs for the preparation of GAAHP meetings, including concept notes, presentations, strategic analysis, think pieces, briefs and reporting on policy matters. Provides strategic communications analysis and advice to the Director. Identifies, develops and implements communications and advocacy partnerships with key stakeholders. Supports comprehensive strategies and engagement plans related to high-level partners. In close coordination with the technical units, ensures the timely preparation of material and speeches in support of the Director and other spokespeople upon request. Coordinates the development and publishing of Global Alliance knowledge products and advocacy materials (videos, flyers, banners, press releases, etc.) and supervises implementation of related outreach initiatives. Leads the implementation of a social media strategy.CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Advanced university degree in communication, social science, journalism, political science or a related field
Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.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.
Good understanding of social protection, poverty reduction and food security and nutrition concepts and approaches.
Ability to translate complex and technical communications to a wide and varied audience, in a simple and concise manner.
Proven track record in strategic communications and public affairs.
Extent and relevance of experience in the field of web publishing and social media networks, as well as in editing communication, promotional or technical materials.
Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation and dissemination of communication, promotional or technical materials.
Experience in working in a high-level political and international environment is an asset.
Experience in working in multidisciplinary teams.