Communication 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.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
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.  

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The grade of the position is (SC - 7).

Reporting Lines

Under the operation supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Myanmar and direct supervision of Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), in coordination with regular consultation and functional reporting to the FAO Regional Communication Officer in Bangkok, Thailand, in close collaboration with OCC branches and focal points.

Technical focus 

Expertise and capacity to coordinate, design, layout and developing communication and advocacy materials. Should have good understanding on country context and better channels for the exchange of information and ideas with its key partners and donors. The incumbent will ensure that communication and advocacy products are technically of high quality and are anchored into the local context and target audience. 

Tasks and responsibilities

•    The incumbent shall ensure coherence with FAO’s corporate communication policy and operational guidelines for all communication and information outputs. 
•    In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will:
•    Assist developing and updating a Communications Strategy and Action Plan for FAO Representation and its project, including communication targets, indicators, and a budget. The Strategy and Action Plan will include external visibility, communications related to the development and implementation 
•    Support public communication activities of the FAO Representation and its project : by preparing talking points, arranging photo coverage, drafting press releases and disseminating news through press contacts, management of interviews and/or press conferences;
•    Identify, contact, confirm and establish agreements with media partners. 
•    Create a comprehensive data pool of media stakeholders and partners. 
•    Collate good photos from the work of the FAO’s projects and submit them to OCC for inclusion in the corporate photo database
•    Maintain regular contacts and information sharing with other projects and programs, in particular taking lessons learned from other projects with respect to communications
•    Facilitate the design, development, production and distribution of audience-specific English- and Myanmar-language communication tools and develop TORs for related services as required.
•    Assisting to pass Publications Workflow System (PWS) process for FAO published documents and guidelines, etc., as necessary.
•    Ensuring good quality of photos, videos, and stories upon requirement of FAOMM Projects and Programme.
•    Establish a list of publications to which the project will subscribe, and regularly collect and store clippings of media coverage of the Project activities, the report and its contents
•    Liaise with field-based technical team on the design of farmer surveys to assess appropriate communication channels and messages for farmers 
•    Liaise with field-based technical team on the communication and livestock extension materials such as printed items, audio and video.
•    Ensure that communication materials are appropriately targeted and are sensitive to gender issues
•    Prepare and submit articles about  the projects  for publication in the “IN ACTION” section of the FAO website
•    Assisting to pass Publications Workflow System (PWS) process for FAO published documents and guidelines, etc., as necessary
•    Maintain regular consultation on outreach activities with regional communication officer
•    Support the strengthening of FAO media relations and public visibility, as well as FAO relations with other multilateral, national development partners, institutions, donors, governments
•    Ensure communication items are consistent with FAO visibility guidelines
•    In regular consultation and coordination with the Regional Communication Officer, FAORAP the incumbent shall ensure coherence with FAO’s corporate communication policy and operational guidelines for all communication and information outputs;
•    Perform other duties as required by the project management.

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

•    A university degree in journalism, communications, public relations or other relevant post-secondary qualification.  
•    A minimum five years of experience in working with media in-country is required as is an established contact list of media either as a journalist or specialist in public relations.
•    Working knowledge of English.
•    Myanmar National. 

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Considerable experience in graphic designing & layout of communication products, general news field reporting, newsgathering and/or writing for a major national or international news outlet will be a distinct advantage;
•    Experience in dealing with international resource partners and implementing agencies;
•    Expertise and competency in making effective use of resources and in producing results;
•    ability to work under pressure in an independent manner within an interdisciplinary team with different educational backgrounds and cultural orientations;
•    Ability to communicate in a credible and effective manner;
•    Excellent knowledge of English both in writing and speaking.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION