Communication Specialist (Human Resources Division)

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’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Human Resources Division (CSH) provides HR strategies, policies, tools, guidance and oversight to FAO clients worldwide to ensure that the Organization attracts, develops and retains a diverse, skilled and highly motivated workforce, delivering on the mandate of the organization. Over the next years, CSH will focus on developing and implementing a people centered strategy, and positioning HR as a strategic partner contributing to the achievement of the mandate of FAO. The Human Resources Division is composed of two main clusters, namely (i) the Integrated Talent Management, providing advice and managing position management, recruitment, mobility, staff development and training, performance management and social security; and (ii) the HR Strategy and Policy providing HR strategic guidance, policy and oversight.)

Reporting Lines

The Communication Specialist (Human Resources Division) will report to the Director of the Human Resources Division.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Human Resources, and in close collaboration with the Office of Communications (OCC), its branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

Communications:

•    Co-write and edit the 2025 HR Annual report, for submission to the Finance Committee. 
•    Coordinate the production and dissemination of the ‘user- friendly’ version of the 2024 HR Annual Report addressed to all employees. 
•    Co-ordinate the production and dissemination of HR communication products and communication campaigns addressed to all employees (InFAO articles, e-mails, HR Newsletters).
•    Research, fact-check, edit, and produce high-quality communications materials for various audiences and ensure their timely dissemination via communications channels, working closely with the Office of Communications (OCC), ensuring that all HR communication materials comply with OCC and FAO standards.
•    Contribute to high-quality multi-media and digital content for dissemination via FAO’s intranet and global-level platforms in close collaboration with OCC. 
•    Actively support the development of communication plans, tools and relevant material and documents for events, meetings, webinars and other initiatives under the responsibility of the HR Division, in line with HR and corporate communication strategies, policies and guidelines.
•    Draft talking points, briefs, factsheets, speeches, etc. for the Director-General, the HR Director and the Senior Managers in the HR Division.
•    Analyse information, data, statistics, relativities, trends, problems and/or issues to deliver effective communications material, support new initiatives and the preparation of plans, strategies, reports, policies and/or other products.
•    Supervise affiliated workforce in the communications hub of the HR Division.
•    Co-ordinate and facilitate CSH Hybrid Town Halls and the CSH retreat.

Copy editing:

•    Checking internal consistency of the text, data, figures (including maps), tables and boxes.
•    Checking cross-references and consistency of references in the text against the bibliographic reference list.
•    Improving style, flow, clarity and quality of the language and readability.
•    Checking appropriateness of photos (including captions and copyright) used in the document, bearing in mind relevance to content, gender and geographical balance.
•    Correcting grammatical errors, spelling mistakes and typos.
•    Ensuring that FAOSTYLE has been applied.

     FAO Standards and guidelines:
o     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. 
o    All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including: 
o    FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en  
o    FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia  
o    Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en  
o    FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en  
o    FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm  
o    FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en  
o    Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
o    Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section

•    Ensuring that country names are correct (as per FAO NOCS) and in the correct order (alphabetical if no specified order or ranking).
•    Ensuring consistent and correct use of currency symbols and numbers.
•    Checking against available on-line resources (FAO house style; FAO terminology portal http://www.fao.org/faoterm, FAO country names portal http://termportal.fao.org/faonocs/appl/, Publishing at FAO – Strategy and guidance, etc.).
•    Delivering edited text, in Word in track-changes mode as well as a clean version including: all objects (tables, figures, boxes, photos, etc.), their numbering and cross-reference in text (use of Word captions/cross-reference function for automatic renumbering of objects)1 ; document structure (heading levels to be clearly differentiated using heading styles, to allow proper layout by the graphic designer); references and bibliography2  (verify accuracy and make corrections); list of acronyms3 ; numbers in general (use of non-breaking space for thousands, etc.).
•    Flagging any problems that require decisions relating to the substance of the work.
•    Performing two rounds of corrections following divisional quality checks. 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    An advanced degree in communication, social science, journalism, political science, international relations, or a related field. A first level degree with 2 years of additional experience may be considered as equivalent.
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in designing and implementing communication strategies and products.
•    Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English 

FAO Core Competencies

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

1 Avoid vague cross-references such as “see table below” or “as described above/below” that will become incorrect when the publications are laid out. These can be replaced with an exact reference to objects or text (“See Table 1”; “as described in Chapter 2”; etc.).

2 Web references: Check validity of links and uniform presentation of links (www. or http:// or ftp: as appropriate).

3 Unless strictly necessary, avoid acronyms in titles in general (of publications; of chapters; etc.).