Organizational Setting
The Near East and North Africa (NENA) region faces severe water scarcity and deteriorating water quality, making it the world's most water-stressed region. The increasing water scarcity poses significant risks to food security, nutrition, and well-being in the region, particularly for vulnerable communities. To address these challenges, the FAO Regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) was established as a Regional Partnership Platform in 2013, bringing together about 20 international, regional and national partners committed to strengthening collaboration on water and food issues in the region. The WSI operates on the principles of cross-sectoral coordination and policy coherence, evidence-based polices and knowledge development and sharing to address water scarcity effectively.
In June 2022, FAO launched the Inter-Regional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS): A Gate Way to Coping with Water Scarcity, with the aim of supporting countries and regions upscaling relevant water-related actions and deal with the growing multi-faceted challenges complexity.
The iRTP-WS is designed as a โCentre of Excellenceโ that aims towards identifying current fundamental gaps in practice and innovation that can facilitate a real transformative change in water, land and agriculture management under the unprecedented impacts of climate change. By embracing complexity, interconnectedness, inclusion and innovation, the iRTP-WS aims to specify clear-sighted trade-offs and pinpoint possible means for overcoming complex development challenges, through action-oriented and result-based partnerships, to accelerate progress towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).ย
Currently, the platform website includes a wide variety of interactive tabs and components, including more than 200 knowledge products and best practices on innovative approaches and technologies from the FAO and contributing partners. The platform website also includes interesting features such as ย Blogs, E-learnings, Webinars, Professional Network and links to various Communities of Practices (CoP)s, and Discussion Forums.
To amplify the iRTP platformโs outreach and impact, it requires a detailed communication strategy and continuous feed of high-quality technical content that contributes to its role and mandate in advancing water action.
Reporting Lines
The Knowledge Management / Outreach Specialist reports to the WSI Programme Leader, who serves as the Senior Land and Water Officer and Delivery Manager of the Regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) at FAO RNE. The incumbent will closely collaborate with the iRTP-WS technical coordinator who is Land and Water officer of the RNE and Country Teams. Additionally, he/she will work in partnership with the resource partners, government counterparts, partners, consultants, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of the project.
Technical Focus
Under the Framework of the iRTP-WS, FAO is now seeking to hire a knowledge management consultant whose primary focus will be to contribute to strengthening FAOโs outreach functions and process for the iRTP-WS. This consultancy will support the platformโs objectives through strategic technical content creation aligned with FAO standards.
Tasks and responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Land and Water Officer and in close coordination with the iRTP-WS technical coordinator, the knowledge management/Outreach Specialist shall contribute to strengthening FAOโs outreach and results dissemination functions of FAO iRTP-WS water related activities.
In close collaboration with the regional team based in Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points in RNE, Sub-regional Offices and the Decentralized Offices in the region. More specifically, the consultant will:
โข ย ย ย ย Develop and implement communication strategies for iRTP-WS, aligned with FAOโs corporate communications strategy, ensuring effective outreach and visibility.
โข ย ย ย ย Produce and manage content (articles, blogs, infographics, multimedia, newsletters, field stories, and digital assets) tailored to diverse audiences and aligned with FAO editorial standards.
โข ย ย ย ย Strengthen partnerships and networks by engaging with international organizations, UN agencies, academia, NGOs, civil society, youth networks, and other stakeholders to enhance platform visibility and outreach.
โข ย ย ย ย Coordinate events and outreach activities, including virtual/in-person workshops, press briefings, and stakeholder meetings, while documenting achievements and reporting results.
โข ย ย ย ย Support knowledge management by finalizing key publications, maintaining an events calendar, and developing regular updates for stakeholders through mailing lists and newsletters.
โข ย ย ย ย Manage media and digital engagement by monitoring coverage, identifying opportunities, managing social media channels, and coordinating video production with RCO and OCC.
โข ย ย ย ย Provide technical and operational support to iRTP-WS governance bodies (steering committee, advisory group) and the technical coordinator, performing other related tasks as required.
โข ย ย ย ย Perform any other task 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/enย
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia ย
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
โข ย ย ย ย Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Business Administration, Project Management, Water and Agriculture Science or another relevant field; Consultants with bachelor`s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
โข ย ย ย ย 3 years of relevant experience in developmental work implementation and coordination, project and programme management and operational support related to water, food, or agriculture.
โข ย ย ย ย Working knowledge (level C) of English.
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย ย ย Communication
โข ย ย ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
โข ย ย ย ย Work experience in more than one location or area of workย
โข ย ย ย ย Extent and relevance of experience inย
โข ย ย ย ย Extent and relevance of experience inย
โข ย ย ย ย Familiarity with
Selection Criteria
โข ย ย ย ย Experience with UN or international organizations is an asset.
โข ย ย ย ย Full proficiency/Working knowledge of Arabic is an asset