Communications 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's Subregional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing food, agriculture, and rural development priorities in the sub-region. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC), in Santiago, Chile. SLC is located in Barbados and is responsible for 13 countries of the subregion. SLC houses the FAO Multi-Country Office for Barbados and six OECS (Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States) countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines).

The primary mission of the FAO offices in the countries, led by the FAO Representative, is to collaborate with governments in the development of policies, programs, and projects to achieve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition. This includes helping to develop the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors and using their environmental and natural resources sustainably.

The project FISH-ADAPT is a Green Climate Fund (GCF) financed project, developed by FAO in direct response to a request by the Government of Saint Lucia (GoSL). The GoSL, acting through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance Economic Development and the Youth Economy (the GCF National Designated Authority) also requested FAO to act as Executing Entity. FISH-ADAPT will support the scale-up of previous initiatives by implementing key elements of the Saint Lucia Fisheries Sectoral Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (SASAP). The project will help to make fishing safer and more productive despite a changing climate and help ensure that improved livelihoods do not require catching ever-increasing volumes of wild fish. The project establishes paradigm shifting pathways that will permanently change the operation of Saint Lucia’s fisheries sector, improve the climate resilience of over 5,000 fishers, fishworkers and aquaculture farmers, and their households (total estimated direct beneficiaries of 10,000) and improve access to finance and insurance for long-term sustainability. The benefits from FISH-ADAPT will transcend fisheries to positively impact 62,000 people working in the tourism and hospitality industry and strengthen ecosystem services provided by approximately 25 hectares of mangrove and 7 ha of coastal coral reef, and serves as a model for scale-up and further climate adaptation actions across the Caribbean and in other regions, by building stakeholder capacity, strengthening private sector linkages, and enhancing coordination mechanisms and knowledge-sharing at national and regional levels.

The project is comprised of four main components:

•     Transform and reorient fishing systems for safety in a changing climate. 
•     Implement Nature-based Solutions and sustainable fishing practices to improve. ecosystem health and fish stock sustainability in response to climatic changes.
•     Increase financial resilience and diversify incomes for fishing sector stakeholders.
•     Strengthen institutional structures for participatory climate adaptation.
These four mutually reinforcing components address key elements of the climate resilience challenge facing Saint Lucia’s fishing sector and propose adaptation solutions targeting i) the artisanal fishing vessels and traditional practices that form the core of the sector; ii) the landing sites and fish processing facilities that support those vessels; iii) the nearby seamoss farms and coastal ecosystems that serve as critical fish habitat; iv) the key role of aquaculture in increasing fish production for the island, and v) the need to mobilize credit, insurance and other financial services, and engage private actors.

For more information about the project, please review: SAP053: FISH-ADAPT: Transforming climate resilience and sustainability in Saint Lucia's fisheries communities | Green Climate Fund

Reporting Lines

The Communications Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer in the FAO Subregional Office for the Caribbean and the Lead Technical Officer of the project, with day-to-day supervision and technical guidance of the SLC Communications Specialist and Project Coordinator - International Fisheries Specialist, and in close collaboration with the other members of the project team, and the staff the in FAO SLC, HQ and RLC.

Technical Focus

The Communications Specialist will support the implementation of the Fish Adapt project in Saint Lucia by leading the development and execution of a strategic outreach and communication plan. The role focuses on enhancing visibility and stakeholder engagement through the creation of high-quality communication products, including digital and print materials, social media content, and multimedia outputs. The consultant will ensure that all communication activities align with FAO and Green Climate Fund (GCF) standards, promote sustainable fisheries and climate resilience, and effectively disseminate project results to national, regional, and international audiences.

Tasks and responsibilities

In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will:

•     Design and implement the outreach and communication strategy for the Fish Adapt project.
•     Review and update the project’s communication plan.
•     Conduct stakeholder analysis and, in collaboration with the stakeholder consultant, develop key messages and tailored outreach materials.
•     Create and edit public communication content for various audiences, including donors and partners.
•     Draft web notes, press articles, and bulletins on project events and milestones.
•     Document and disseminate success stories, case studies, and outreach materials.
•     Design communication tools with emphasis on digital platforms (ICTs).
•     Provide support in coordinating communication processes with the National Project Coordinator and relevant stakeholders to ensure communication initiatives not only disseminate information about project activities but also contribute to knowledge sharing and promote behavioral changes that enhance climate resilience in Saint Lucia’s fisheries sector 
•     Assist in supervising the production of outreach materials (written, graphic, audiovisual), ensuring quality and alignment with FAO standards.
•     Support the organization and media coverage of national and regional project events and relevant connected fora of partners.
•     Maintain a database of all communication products generated.
•     Support leading the development of outreach content (e.g., research-based articles, web notes, publications).
•     Ensure periodic dissemination of strategic project information, including objectives, progress, results, partners, and next steps.
•     Strengthen the capacity of communication focal points at local level.
•     Facilitate the sharing of results with beneficiaries and civil society organizations using accessible and inclusive materials.
•     Maintain open communication channels between beneficiaries, civil society, and the project.
•     Coordinate the production and quality assurance of audiovisual and graphic materials, both printed and digital.
•     Provide communication-related reports upon request.
•     Support the development of a final multimedia document summarizing project results.
•     Collaborate with FAO’s Office of Communications (OCC) to ensure compliance with FAO standards and clearance processes.
•     Manage social media content in line with FAO guidelines and coordinate with OCC and Regional Communication Officers (RCO) for clearance.
•     Attend occasional work or team building meetings to be held at the Fisheries Department offices in Castries, when requested.
•     Perform any other related duties as required.

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 Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field
•     At least 3 years of relevant experience in communication, generating content in different formats for different audiences
•     Working knowledge of English 
•     National of Saint Lucia

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Experience and equipment proficiency in video, photography, and audio
•     Experience in using Microsoft Office: Word, PowerPoint, Excel
•     Proficiency in using graphic design tools such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop
•     Proficiency in using different audio, video, and photography formats

Selection Criteria

•     Experience in scientific, technical or environmental dissemination.
•     Experience in communication processes for development, and coordination and implementation of projects with international cooperation.
•     Experience working in the United Nations System and other international initiatives.
•     Experience in fisheries projects, is considered an asset

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION