Junior 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.

The Office of Communications (OCC) is responsible for all corporate and internal communication activities of the Organization. It ensures coherence and consistency in FAO’s corporate messaging and communications’ outputs, as well as enables cost-effectiveness in use of communication-related resources across the Organization.

The purpose of this VA is to interview and vet qualified candidates for inclusion on a roster of junior communications specialists for FAO’s Office Communication (OCC). Inclusion on a roster does not necessarily entail an offer of employment, but rostered candidates may be contacted with offers of employment at any time in the next two years, as specific needs arise. 

We are seeking candidates with an established profile oriented towards public communication, advocacy, journalism/storytelling, and impact content creation and with balanced skill sets. This includes researching and drafting accurate content in various styles, developing general-interest digital/multimedia content for nonspecialists audiences, and website and social media platforms. This includes profiles that align with the following: Junior communications specialist – generalist; Junior communications specialist – editorial/writing; Junior communications specialist – multimedia production; Junior communications specialist – digital/social media/web.

Reporting Lines

The Junior Communication Specialist reports to a Communication Officer (various teams), in FAO’s Office of Communications (OCC)..

Technical Focus 

Public information, external and internal communication, writing and editing, web publishing, social media, multimedia, and digital media, marketing.

Tasks and responsibilities

Support OCC communications officers and teams in a range of areas spanning the OCC workstream and contribute to the development of public communication content in diverse media and formats. Specifically:

•    Research and analyse FAO technical information and FAO communication material to support content development and creation (assembling verified background information, summarizing technical documents, drafting key messages, developing scripts for social media, photo research, etc.)
•    Draft texts in various formats, for use on internal and external channels (intranet news/announcements, newsletters, digital posters, infographics, news articles for divisional or OCC web properties, feature stories, key messages, talking points, scripts, etc.)
•    Contribute to the development of multimedia communication content/assets (graphics, videos, photos, animations, campaigns, podcasts, social/digital content, copywriting, etc.) for internal and external use, for use on diverse channels, related to publication launches, events, international days, participation in global fora, etc.
•    Support OCC communications officers/teams with website and newsletter content creation and management and maintenance of social media accounts.
•    Assist OCC communications officers/specialists in coordinating cross-team communications work (information sharing, meetings/post-meeting follow up, work planning, etc.)
•    Participate in stakeholder research and analysis efforts, including media intelligence gathering.
•    Respond to requests for information on OCC process, standards, workflows etc. coming from technical divisions (answering requests for guidance or information).
•    Backstop OCC communications officers during leaves or absences;

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: 

FAOSTYLE (English: https://www.fao.org/3/cb8081en/cb8081en.pdf ; French: https://www.fao.org/3/AC339FR/ac339fr.pdf ; Spanish:https://www.fao.org/3/ac339s/ac339s.pdf ; Arabic: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339a/ac339a.pdf ; Chinese:
https://www.fao.org/3/ac339c/ac339c.pdf );
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm ; 
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en ; 
Story guidelines http://intranet.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/occ/Quick_Guides/UPDATED-Digital-Storytelling-Guide-EN-FINAL.pdf ; 
Story template http://intranet.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/occ/Quick_Guides/FAO-Stories-Template-UPDATED.pdf ; 
UN map standards (available to staff); 
FAO Brand and policy book (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 Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, Videography or other relevant field.
•    1 year of relevant experience in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or other relevant field.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). For PSA, working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

•    Advanced University degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, Videography, Photography or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.
•    Knowledge and experience of editing.
•    Proficiency in content creating and research.
•    Direct experience of writing captions, keywording.
•    Excellent interpersonal communication skills, ability to complete content and strengthen ability to do so independently over time.
•    Awareness of ethical issues in the context of communications and ability to deal sensitively with them. Ability to handle assets that contain sensitive and sometimes confidential information.
•    Strong attention to detail, critical thinker, strong work ethic, and positive attitude while routinely exercising sound judgment
•    Self-sufficient, accountable and able to work autonomously with minimal supervision, proactively looking for ways to improve workflows and team efficiencies, and deadline oriented.
•    Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain processes and train colleagues.