Communications Expert

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.

The Division of Agrifood Systems and Food Safety (ESF) at FAO provides strategic leadership to drive agrifood system transformation by supporting FAO HQ, decentralized offices, Members and partners in taking a systems approach to policy, programmes and projects, including through normative products, methods and tools; documentation and collective learning of systems approaches; and support for implementation at the national and subnational level. It also works to deliver on the FAO Strategic Priorities for Food Safety within the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031, including through the Joint FAO/WHO Scientific Advice Programme and support to the strengthening of national food control systems.

Reporting Lines

The Communication Expert will work under the supervision of Director, ESF

Technical Focus

The Communications Expert will lead all communications activities on a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation for ESF. The goal is to increase the awareness and adoption of a systems approach among key stakeholders and enhance the visibility and uptake of FAO’s work on taking a systems approach.

Tasks and responsibilities

The successful candidate will support the above areas of work, and in particular will:

Lead and execute communications strategy

•     Execute communications activities aligned with the communications strategy 
•     Identify strategic opportunities for communications on a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation 
•     Prepare communications strategies and plans for key opportunities, outputs, activities and events, adapting communication efforts to different purposes (e.g. resource mobilization, awareness raising, advocacy).
•     Gain insights into ESF key target audiences of policymaker, practitioners and donors and use to guide communications strategy and activities
•     Develop and monitor impact of communications activities and adapt strategy accordingly 
•     Maintain regular contact with the work FAO Office of Communications Partnerships Officer and other relevant functions and FAO Divisions/Offices/Centres, as applicable.

Lead creation of communication and awareness-raising materials

•     Draft key messages for ESF’s work on a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation and tailor to different audiences
•     Prepare communications outputs based on normative publications
•     Develop high-quality, compelling, clear written materials such as website texts, video scripts, news items, social media posts, narratives for infographics, and feature stories of systems change.
•     Leads the research, data gathering and writing of stories of systems change 
•     Support Director, ESF, with communications activities

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 areas such as communications, media relations, social studies, language and other
•     Minimum 12 years of relevant experience in communications, at least 5 years in an area relevant to agrifood systems  
•     Previous experience in FAO and/or the UN systems is considered an asset
•     Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills  

•     Experience of direct engagement at country-level in the field of agrifood systems  
•     Extent and relevance of experience in communications strategy
•     Advanced writing skills  
•     Familiarity with FAO and/or UN system

Selection Criteria

•     Demonstrated experience in strategic communications
•     Quality of written communications materials
•     Degree of experience working in international organizations
•     Presence of some country-level experience