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 Office of Innovation (OIN) is an important instrument within FAO to provide strategic direction and help drive and coordinate innovation across the work of the Organization, i.e., to consolidate and strengthen FAO’s innovative spirit, including innovation of approaches and cooperation models. OIN supports the Programme Priority Areas, ensuring that FAO mainstreams innovation in its programmes, facilitates cross-collaboration between the various FAO units and aids in forging and reinforcing transformative partnerships.
Reporting Lines
The Innovation Specialist will report to and work under the overall supervision of the Director or a Technical Unit Leader in OIN, ensuring that all communication materials are cleared and comply with FAO corporate standards.
Technical Focus
Technical advice on the strategic planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of communications and outreach for projects, strategies and services in connection with the FAO Strategic Objectives, field programmes and activities implemented by OIN workstreams.
Tasks and responsibilities
In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will:
Strategy
• Lead, support or contribute to the preparation of communication, engagement and/or advocacy strategies, including stakeholder (i.e. target audience) mapping, communication objectives development, key messaging creation and iteration, communication channel and delivery/engagement mechanism identification (especially for web), communication product/event/output work planning and communication impact monitoring and evaluation.
• Lead, support or contribute to the collection and analysis of qualitative and/or quantitative data on audience engagement and/or behavioural change, analyzing results and producing evidence-based recommendations for communication activity refinement/improvement.
• Support or contribute to event management strategies and plans, ensuring alignment with communication strategies and implementation feasibility.
• Update communication strategies and plans based on ongoing data collection and analysis in coordination with OIN management.
Writing and written content production
• Provide copywriting expertise to support and contribute to the preparation, production and dissemination of communication and advocacy materials (i.e. communication products for awareness, visibility, brand identity, engagement or other behavioural change components) through expert writing and content generation for a variety of product typologies (e.g. press releases, social media posts, slide decks, newsletters, speeches.
• Provide technical writing expertise to support and contribute to the preparation, production and dissemination of knowledge materials, often technical and policy-oriented, including reports, technical presentations, technical newsletters, and scientific or other speeches.
• Ensure all written material is proofread and edited, in adherence with FAO guidelines, style and terminology.
• Develop stories of change and impact based on OIN project results and work at field level.
• Showcase the results and achievements of FAO programmes and projects both internally and externally, in the build up to key events and days, reporting through widely disseminated Op-eds, news articles and web stories.
• Coordinate the production, including liaising with graphic designers, and draft the text of knowledge products (brochures, fact sheets, speaking points, social media messaging, case studies, video scripts, etc.).
Audiovisual media production
• Plan, film, and edit video content in compliance with FAO video production guidelines.
• Manage equipment and software programs for professional video production, in line with FAO requirements
• Design and produce graphic content, infographics, and animations to support knowledge dissemination and outreach.
Web development
• Create/ support creation of new webpages.
• Maintain relevant websites and webpages and regularly review and report on analytics when needed.
Outreach including social media campaigns
• Support outreach and promotion of key publications and major events by sharing knowledge materials and results through various FAO social media channels.
• Where feasible, develop a baseline understanding of engagement, including barriers to and drivers of social media uptake and engagement (e.g. using Google Analytics, bespoke surveys or other mechanisms) and design stakeholder targeting and dissemination plans to alleviate the barriers identified.
• Monitor progress periodically of social media campaigns, analysing engagement against previously established baselines.
• Ensure targeted dissemination plans are in place for knowledge materials and news items to ensure they are widely disseminated to identified audiences including the FAO conference, council, Science and Innovation Forum and other high-level meetings, via relevant channels and media outlets.
• Plan and support extensive and impactful media outreach campaigns related to key days, report launches and major events.
Collate information and develop appropriate digital assets, in line with global FAO key messages, terminology, standards and guidelines, and day-to-day management of thematic/regional/country social media channel(s), {add account handles and/or URLs}, as per the FAO social media guidelines and in support of country/regional/global strategies, liaising and coordinating with the relevant technical officers, Regional Communication Officers (RCO) and OCC, as appropriate, and relevant supervisor for clearance.
For videos intended for use on social media channels, liaise with RCO and OCC to review scripts, formats and final clearances
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 communications, journalism, sustainable development or social sciences with a focus on agrifood systems, development cooperation or a related field.
• At least 1 year (for PSA CAT C), 2 years (for Consultant CAT C), and at least five years (for CAT B) or 10 years (category A) of relevant experience in communications for development, particularly in the innovation, agriculture, or development sector.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Experience in developing communication and outreach strategies and campaigns and establishing partnerships and networks for improved communications.
• Strong media outreach skills, including handling media inquiries, and managing social media campaigns.
• Proven ability to produce and edit visual content, including graphics, videos, and animations, to enhance communication and knowledge dissemination.
• Excellent analytical and conceptual skills, as well as gender-sensitive and cross-cultural competency.
• Ability to operate effectively as part of a team, contributing positively to team operations and working relationships.
• Work experience at field/project level, with the United Nations, non-governmental organizations or similar.
• Research and analytical skills, and the ability to present and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability in media outreach and the identification of appropriate media outlets and channels.
• Practical knowledge and proven experience working with relevant ICT software.
Selection Criteria
• Experience working on issues related to agricultural innovation systems and/or capacity building would be an asset.
• Proven experience and strong skills in one or more of the key areas of work listed above
• Knowledge of digital communication tools and platforms
• Demonstrated capacity in designing, monitoring and evaluating communication and/or engagement strategies using qualitative and quantitative methods
• An advanced university degree is an advantage.
• Proficiency in written and verbal communication.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across the organization.
• Familiarity with FAO’s communication protocols, goals, and operating procedures is highly advantageous.