Communication Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Afghanistan is investing across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan in resilience reinforcing actions that focus on protecting agriculture livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash-incomes, and safeguarding critical agriculture sectoral development gains achieved over the past couple of decades through revitalizing rural markets and economy. In particular, FAO provides a combination of humanitarian and basic needs/non-humanitarian assistance to female and male farmers and herders across Afghanistan in the agriculture, livestock, irrigation and natural resources sub-sectors through its projects and programs, as described in the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) and the United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA) 2023-2025, specifically under UNSFA Priority 2 Economic Opportunities and Resilient Livelihoods.

Reporting Lines

The Communications Specialist will work under the overall supervision and report directly to the FAO Representative in Afghanistan. S/he will work directly with heads of programme and project coordinators, and in regular consultation and coordinate with HQ and sub/regional communications officers.

Technical Focus 

The Consultant will work as part of a multidisciplinary team with the overall aim of developing and implementing a comprehensive communication strategy for the country office and its programme, projects and funds.

Tasks and responsibilities 

•    Contribute to the design and implementation of a communications strategy in support of the Country Programming Framework, programmes and projects in liaison with regional and global teams;
•    Manage a calendarized workplan of communications and visibility deliverables in liaison head of programme and project coordinators to discuss upcoming events and communications opportunities.
•    Ensure that new projects have a visibility and communications plan developed and that individual donor’s visibility requirements are respected; 
•    Coordinate, produce and disseminate communication and advocacy materials including human interest stories, infographics and other visibility items, in coordination with focal points at the regional and HQ levels, following corporate guidelines. 
•    Develop briefs and other material to showcase FAO's work and results in Afghanistan, working closely with the programme and technical teams.
•    Develop communications products, including planning logistics for video and photography missions, preparing scripts (with key messages tailored to specific audiences) and interview questions, and obtaining quotes and cost estimates in liaison with operations and procurement units.
•    Plan and develop materials for media events, such as technical analyses and document releases, World Food Day, project launches and dissemination of key findings from studies, research, assessments and evaluations.
•    Draft press releases and statements for FAO Afghanistan in coordination with FAO communications officers (at HQ, regional and subregional levels as appropriate), support press conferences, and prepare responses to media queries.
•    Assist in the management of the FAO Afghanistan website and social media platforms. 

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

•    University degree (bachelor) in one relevant subject: communication, journalism, public administration, agriculture economics, nutrition and food security, social sciences, or closely related fields.
•    At least 5 years’ professional experience in experience in communication;
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian).

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills  

•    Strong documentation skills, including keen attention to detail and ability to follow tasks and ideas through to completion;
•    A high degree of flexibility and adaptability in order to respond to changing needs;
•    Competent in establishing and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders;
•    Proactive and solutions-oriented approach to work and the ability to identify and implement effective processes for achieving outcomes;
•    Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a team and with people from diverse backgrounds.
•    Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

Selection Criteria

•    Strong technical expertise in data collection methodologies, and sampling techniques;