National Communications Specialist

Organizational Setting

Under UNJP/ALB/022/JP, FAO Albania leads efforts with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to support the sustainable digital transformation of Albania’s agriculture and rural areas with an ambitious 3-years joint programme entitled “Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation (DART)” as part of the SDG Fund – Digital Transformation Window call.

DART focuses on three key components:
1.    Developing Albania’s National Digital Agriculture Strategy and Action Plan (led by FAO with support from ITU),
2.    Designing and delivering digital services via the newly launched national Farmers’ Portal (led by FAO), and
3.    Building digital capacities among national public workers, TVET schools, smallholder farmers, and vulnerable groups (led by ILO).
Note: Only persons holding Albanian citizenship (or residents with a regular work permit) are eligible to apply. This position offers a National Personal Service Agreement (PSA.NAT) contract for an initial 138 days (for 2025). A break from duty of at least 30 consecutive days is mandatory within any twelve-month period after which the contract is renewable upon satisfactory performance and funds availability.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative for Albania and in collaboration with the DART National Project Coordinator, the National Communications Specialist will contribute to raising the visibility of the DART project. Working under the technical guidance of the REU Communication Officer for Europe and Central Asia. The role involves coordinating with international and national consultants, OCC branches, and focal points to ensure alignment with FAO and donor communication requirements.

Technical Focus

Working in close collaboration with the DART project team and other FAO units, the National Communications Specialist will:
•    Enhance the visibility of FAO and the DART project through dynamic, targeted communications;
•    Implement strategic messaging to raise awareness about digital agriculture, drive stakeholder engagement, and promote the adoption of digital tools and services;
•    Create content for the project webpage and ensure regular updates.

Tasks and responsibilities

Digital Content & Social Media Management
•    Collate information and create digital assets (articles, photos, videos, infographics) in line with global FAO key messages, terminology, and standards.
•    Oversee thematic, regional, and country social media channels (including account handles/URLs as applicable) per FAO guidelines. Coordinate content creation, review processes, and clearance in collaboration with technical officers, Regional Communication Officers (RCO), and OCC.
•    Work with RCO and OCC to review scripts and formats for video content intended for social media.
•    Ensure that digital content and social media initiatives are produced and disseminated effectively, aligning with FAO and DART project objectives.
•    Promote activities related to the Farmers Portal and ensure its visibility among target audiences.

Media and Public Relations
•    Collaborate with the REU communications team to address media queries, facilitate journalist visits to project sites, and support overall media engagement.
•    Execute the DART Communication Strategy to disseminate key messages to agricultural and rural stakeholders—policymakers, farmers, and vulnerable groups.
•    Maintain an up-to-date media contact database (journalists, photographers, videographers) and regularly monitor national media coverage related to FAO, digital agriculture, and rural transformation.
•    Provide weekly coverage reports and insights to the REU Communication Officer.

Content Development and Branding
•    Develop and distribute news releases, web stories, and media advisories, ensuring alignment with DART’s objectives and FAO’s communication guidelines
•    Showcase success stories of farmers and rural communities using digital tools.
•    Highlight gender-sensitive narratives that feature women, elderly farmers, and persons with disabilities.
•    Promote best practices, policy discussions, and FAO’s contributions to digital agricultural transformation in Albania.
•    Guide and support the development of communication materials—including brochures, infographics, videos, banners, and other outputs—to ensure they comply with FAO corporate branding and reflect DART’s key messages. 

Event Support and Outreach
•    Support the organization of events (conferences, training sessions, field visits, stakeholder consultations, project launches) that enhance FAO and donor visibility, increase stakeholder buy-in, and showcase digital agriculture’s tangible benefits.
•    Assist the DART project team during media interactions to ensure coherent and consistent messaging
•    Coordinate with DART stakeholders and the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Albania to amplify joint communication efforts around the SDGs and digital transformation.

Coordination, Monitoring, and Compliance
•    Ensure all DART-related communications adhere to FAO guidelines, obtaining necessary clearances from OCC before publishing.
•    Regularly assess media coverage and public perception of FAO’s role in digital agriculture. Utilize analytics (social media engagement, website traffic, media mentions) and stakeholder feedback (including gender-inclusive mechanisms) to refine communication strategies.
•    Develop and implement risk management strategies to address potential challenges (e.g., resistance to digitalization, technical constraints).

Additional Duties
•    Adapt DART communication strategies based on stakeholder and media feedback, emerging trends, and challenges.
•    Ensure that donor visibility requirements and reporting obligations are met consistently across all communication outputs.
•    Contribute to the sustainability of the DART project’s digital agriculture communication efforts.

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 (MA) in Communication, Public Relations or Journalism, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
•    A minimum of 5 years of national or international experience with a proven track record in developing integrated communication strategies, managing media and public relations, engaging key stakeholders, and producing compelling content.
•    Working knowledge of English and Albanian
•    National of Albania or resident in the country with a valid work permit

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Excellent written and spoken proficiency in English and Albanian.
•    Proficient in digital content creation, social media management, and coordinating with external PR/marketing service providers.
•    Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks in fast-paced environments.
•    Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic communications that drive stakeholder engagement and public awareness.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

•    Demonstrated ability to develop and implement cohesive communication strategies that combine corporate messaging, strategic outreach, and creative content development to engage diverse stakeholders.
•    Experience working with international development agencies and, preferably, within the UN system (an asset).
•    Familiarity with agriculture and economic development dynamics in Albania is essential.