Knowledge management and communications specialist

Organizational Setting

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division is one of FAO's core technical divisions under the Natural Resources and Sustainable Production stream at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Division collaborates with Members and partners to promote for the responsible and sustainable management of aquatic food systems, aiming for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. To fulfil its mandate, the Division focuses on the global development of fisheries and aquaculture through the implementation of its Blue Transformation a strategic approach that outlines a vision for sustainable and resilient aquatic food systems. Additionally, it extends support to Members through normative instruments and in collaborations with regional fishery bodies (RFBs) established within the framework of the FAO Constitution.

Consultants represent an important source of expertise for FAO, making their specialist contributions across the globe towards the achievement of the Organization’s strategic objectives. For FAO to be able to attract and employ the best possible experts in the wide range of technical areas of its mandate, a competitive selection process has been introduced. This process is intended to create a pool of candidates which can be called upon when their expertise is required, ensuring a transparent and rigorous selection process.

Areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) make up 40 percent of the surface of our planet, 64 percent of the surface of the oceans and nearly 95 percent of its volume. This vast global common contains marine resources and biodiversity of significant ecological, socioeconomic, and cultural importance. Its governance is framed by various global agreements and processes and it is characterised by a large variety of actors and stakeholders with various mandates, acting at national, regional or global level, or with specific sectoral focus. Among the global processes, the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (the “BBNJ Agreement”) adopted by consensus on 19 June 2023, is the outcome of nearly two decades of negotiations. The Agreement will come into force on 17 January 2026. The importance of the early entry into force and effective implementation of the BBNJ Agreement has been emphasized by the UNGA in its resolution 78/272.

FAO is seeking a number of experts to support activities related to the ocean governance and fisheries in the ABNJ, including through the implementation of dedicated GEF projects.

Assignments pursuant to this Call for Expression of Interest may be at the Organization’s headquarters in Rome (Italy), home based, or on field missions, as required.

Reporting Lines

The Knowledge management and communication specialist will report to the Project Officer (BBNJ) and will work closely with the project team and the OCC communications coordinator for NFI. When activities are carried out in participating member countries, the consultant will be required to work in close collaboration with the FAO Representation in the relevant country of assignment, as well as the relevant FAO regional and/or sub-regional office.

Technical Focus

FAO is seeking experienced knowledge management and communications specialists to support the implementation of projects in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division related to oceans governance and the BBNJ Agreement.

Tasks and responsibilities:

•     Support the implementation of knowledge management, outreach and communication-related activities for the FAO BBNJ related projects, including their design, processing and dissemination;
•     Map stakeholders relevant to national, regional and global BBNJ implementation activities; 
•     Contribute to the organization, delivery and follow up of events, training and capacity development activities, and consultative workshops with government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector, academia, and community representatives;
•     Liaise with knowledge management and communications providers during the preparation of materials.
•     Support the identification and design of knowledge and communications products;
•     Support collecting, identifying, documenting and disseminating national and regional good practice and case studies; 
•     Support project monitoring and reporting; and/or
•     Support coordination, collaboration and information exchange across project partners, as well as institutions, networks and platforms working on BBNJ implementation in national and regional bodies.

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

•     Advanced university degree in marine science, environmental studies, political science, international development, journalism, information science, knowledge management, communications or a related field. Consultants with a bachelor’s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience. 
•     At least 10 years (for category A), five years (for category B) or one year (for category C) of relevant experience in knowledge management or communications in an environmental or marine resource management field. 
•     Working knowledge of English is required

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills  

•     Work experience in more than one location or area of work.
•     Extent and relevance of drafting articles, web stories, and communication products
•     Extent and relevance of managing websites and social media 
•     Extent and relevance of knowledge and understanding of the work of international organizations, regional entities and national governments.
•     Extent of experience with capacity development, knowledge management and knowledge sharing activities.
•     Ability to organize and conduct technical meetings, conferences and workshops when applicable.
•     Ability to facilitate participatory processes or stakeholder involvement.
•     Excellent oral and written communication skills of English.

Selection criteria:

•     Limited knowledge of one of the other FAO official languages (French, Spanish Arabic, Chinese, Russian) is considered an asset.
•     Field experience working for media outlets and/or international organizations
•     Experience with communicating technical project results and impacts
•     Fisheries and marine policy related experience
•     Experience and familiarity with communicating Global Environment Facility (or other relevant agency) funded projects