ย
The location of the position will change once IFADโs regional office for the Asian and the Pacific division is confirmed.ย Applicants are informed that the location may be New Delhi, Beijing or Bangkok.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.ย
The External Relations and Governance Department (ERG), comprising the Communications Division (COM), the Global Engagement Partnership and Resource Mobilization Division (GPR) and the Office of the Secretary (SEC), leads IFADโs engagement with Member States and other stakeholders, including through public and political advocacy, global policy engagement and effective institutional governance.ย
COM has a team of expert staff in media relations, video production, writing, publishing, web and other digital media, graphic design,ย visual identity, photography, brand management, internal communication and events management to meet its communicationย priorities. This includes handling crises and highly sensitive issues, advising IFAD units on the most appropriate internal and externalย communication approaches and evaluating the work of communication consultants and suppliers.
Within COM, the Field Communication and Capacity Development Team directly supports regional divisions, regional offices and IFAD Country Offices (ICOs) to meet their internal and external communication objectives and to contribute to IFAD's broader strategic communication efforts. The team develops a strategic vision for COM's partnership with IFAD operations and recommends and creates new opportunities for collaboration between COM and regional divisions, regional offices, ICOS and selected projects. It plays a key role in the implementation of COM's communication capacity development approach, particularly by helping shore up the ability of regional divisions, ICOS and selected IFAD supported projects to communicate IFAD's messages more effectively. In order to do so, among other things, it executes training and coaching programmes targeting field offices. Providing the overarching management of COM's on-going working relationship with regional divisions, regional offices and ICOs, the team engages these partners in IFAD communication campaigns, including internal communication and social media campaigns, creates media opportunities and responds to media queries related to IFAD operations, and helps amplify the voices or rural people themselves.ย
The Regional Communication Officer (APR) in close collaboration with the Director, APR, works under the direct supervision of Chief Corporate Content and Regional Outreach Officer.
Job Role ย
Communications officers conceptualize and implement strategic communications approaches to promote an organization's brand and activities among target audiences. in some cases they act as a liaison between the organization, the public, and the media to ensure the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for the organizationโs mandate and work. They contribute to IFAD's internal and external communication through a number of activities including by generating stories, press releases, videos, social media content, annual reports, speechess, and other communications materials that raise awareness of the organizationโs work and mandate. ย
Position specific:ย
Regional Communications officers advise regional divisions on all aspects of communications, and create content to promote the organization's brand and its impact. They act as a liaison between the IFAD HQ and the regions, the public, and the media to ensure the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for the organizationโs work. They support IFAD's internal and external communication, implement an effective communication strategy based on target audiance, gather, write and disseminate stories, press releases, website content, social media and other material that communicates the organizationโs mission and activities. ย
The Regional Communication Officer for Asia and the Pacific (APR) implements a regional communication strategy to advance IFAD corporate communications aims and APR programme objectives. The incumbent works as the communication officer for APR and its project and programme staff in the region, covering internal and external communications. The incumbent also supervises national officer(s) operating from IFAD office(s) in the field and serving the countries covered by such offices.ย
Key Functions and Results ย
1. COMMUNICATIONS FUNCTIONS: Communications Officers are specialists with direct responsibility for external and/or internal communications activities, actions and outputs. They research and gather information and propose communications approaches, strategies and solutions. Working closely with external and internal partners, including IFAD divisions, regional offices and senior officials, they make recommendations, assess reputational risk, and provide quality oversight to ensure the relevance, effectiveness and accuracy of content. They remain abreast of relevant global issues, IFADโs own priorities and positioning, and contribute to corporate planning and strategy processes. They provide quantitative and qualitative evaluation of communications activities to ensure continued improvement in IFAD communications practice.ย
2. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: Communications Officers are accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the personal use of assigned IFAD resources, including equipment, supplies and, as applicable, staff or consultants supervised.
ย
Position-specific
3. REGIONAL OUTREACH: The Regional Communication Officer will (a) Conduct communication assessments; contribute to the development of and implement a regional communication strategy for the region. Develop communication plans to advance IFAD's communication priorities and strengthen IFAD's brand in the region. (b) Work with COM's Content Development Team to write, edit and develop products for IFAD target audiences in the region. Cultivate media and communication opportunities for Directors to raise IFADโs international profile and promote the organization's work. (c) ย Provide communication support to key regional programmes and initiatives, capturing the learning to showcase IFAD's impact on the ground and contribute to corporate and regional KM agendas and efforts to share knowledge and lessons between the regions. (d) Support communication professionals working with ICOS and/or selected IFAD-funded programmes and projects in the regions on media outreach and other communication activities and tools in the context of strengthening IFAD's brand and in accordance with corporate priorities and key messages. (e) In close consultation with concerned Country Directors and concerned COM staff, provide communication support for IFAD management's visits to the region, including producing background material such as media talking points, and other products (e.g. media statements and press releases) to support the visit. ย Draft communication-related content for the region's on-going communication activities, such as media talking points for interviews, press releases, etc. ย (f) Organize press conferences, round tables, interviews, learning events, report launches, virtual or in-person field visits to showcase the impacts of IFAD-supported projects and give rural people a voice, and other initiatives to promote IFAD's work and enhance IFAD's profile in the region. ย Increase media coverage and understanding of IFAD's work by building strong relationships with a core group of journalists in the regions and closely coordinate this work with the Strategic Communication Team. (g) Monitor regional print, broadcast and on-line media coverage in the region, and report on issues of importance to the staff in regions and COM colleagues.
4.GLOBAL OUTREACH: The Regional Communication Officer will (i) Actively contribute to global communications initiatives undertaken by COM. (ii) Identify regional success stories, new information and emerging themes from the region which can be highlighted both in regional and corporate communication products, initiatives and campaigns. Write or contribute to corporate media talking points and other outreach material.
5. COMMUNICATION CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT: The Regional Communication Officer will (a) Build capacity of IFAD staff in the regions on media outreach and other communication activities and tools in support of IFAD's brand and in accordance with corporate priorities and key messages. (b) Identify IFAD communication focal points in IFAD regional offices and country offices, ensure regular flow of information between these colleagues and IFAD HQ and, as part of COM's broader communication capacity development efforts, build their capacity to become communication champions. (c) Serve as the resource for regional offices and ICOs. ย
6. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Regional Communications Officers provide day to day support to the COM national officer(s) located in field offices, providing mentoring, guidance and knowledge and contributing to overall coordination.
7. WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA: The Regional Communication Officer (APR) will develop communication material in English for IFAD's web-based, digital and social media channels on an on-going basis and remain abreast of key players in social media in the regions. (b) Contribute to the development of a plan to ensure a regular flow of content for digital channels both on IFAD's corporate website and for IFAD target audiences in the region, including through field-based social media accounts. (c) Edit content provided for IFAD's digital channels from the region.
Key Performance Indicators ย
The Communication Officer is a seasoned professional in the field of Communication. The quality of work and external communications performed by the Officer directly impacts on the professionalism of the incumbent and the overall reputation of the Communication Division in terms of both substantive depth and adaptive relevance to emerging issues and changing client needs. The incumbent follows established procedures but is expected to make recommendations on strategies for engagement and communications products. The Communication Officer is accountable for quality, substantive input and ability to project a competent and trusted image of the Fund to partners within IFAD and outside.
Working Relationships ย
Representational functions of the Communication Officer are focused on establishing and maintaining relationships, building stronger relationships, identifying and pursuing of opportunities for outreach, engagement, and collaboration, and projecting the image of a credible/reliable partner. The incumbent presents policy positions, seeking to inform and build partnerships, within the limitations of guidelines set by the supervisor. Work relationships are established and maintained with counterparts both inside as well as outside the Fund. Exchange of information typically requires proactivity to clearly establish the policy, positions or practices of the Fund. The incumbent functions as a collaborative partner within the Fund to enhance Communication.
Job Profile Requirements ย
Organizational Competencies:
Level 1:
Strategic thinking and organizational development: Personal influence Demonstrating Leadership: Personal leadership and attitude to change Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating: Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge and innovates Focusing on clients: Focuses on clients Problem solving and decision making: Demonstrates sound problem solving and decision-making ability Managing time, resources and information: Manages own time, information and resources effectively Team Work: Contributes effectively to the team Communicating and negotiating: Communicates effectively: creates understanding between self and others Building relationships and partnerships: Builds and maintains effective working relationships Managing performance and developing staff: Manages staff and teams effectivelyEducation:
Level โ Advanced university degree from an accredited institution. The advanced university degree may be substituted by a first university degree and at least four (4) additional years of relevant professional experience over and above the minimum number of years of experience as stipulated below. Areas - Media Relations, Communications, Journalism, Social Sciences or other relevant discipline Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php .Experience:
At least five (5) years progressively responsible professional experience in communications in an international organization or media or communications organization. ย Position-specific experience: Professional experience in media relations; public relations advocacy or information; or communications field with thorough knowledge of Asia and ย the Pacific and extensive contacts, particularly among the media, in the region; prior experience in the media at international level is an asset. ย Experience in Social/Rural Development. Experience in the field of photography and proven ability to translate development concepts into suitable, yet compelling imagery. Experience managing international photographer consultants and building relationships with a wide range of suppliers, including external laboratories.ยLanguages:
Required English (4 โ Excellent)ย Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 โ Good)ยSkills:
Job role specific
Communication Strategy, Expert in planning and implementing internal and external communication to achieve communication objectives: defining communication goals, target audience, creating a communication plan and identifying theย right channels. Expert in communication concepts, processes, or data to support long term goals of the organisation. 3 Adaptability, Adaptability and flexibility when facing new or unexpected situations, and to specific constraints and circumstances and managing complex processes 3 IFAD governance and mandate, In depth knowledge of IFADโs governance structure, mandate, strategic priorities and technical work; 3 Political acumen, Ability to conduct sound political analysis and understand complex environments, providing options and advice; 3 Initiative and good judgement, High sense of proactive initiative-taking and good judgement (including on security matters); 3 Advocacy, Ability to leverage IFAD knowledge and/or communication materials to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFADโs vision and strategic priorities to external actors; 3 Synthesis, Outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences; 3 Specialized communication skills, Technical know-how relevant to the specific communication role considered (e.g. communication planning, building and maintaining media relations, video production, publishing, web and other digital media, graphic design, visual identity, brand management, internal communication and events management); 3 Verbal communication, Ability to use verbal communication as a main tool in profession; clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language; 3 Written communication, Ability to use written communication as a main tool in profession, including for speech writing ; clear, succinct and convincing written communication ; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language; 4 Risk management (e.g. reputational): Identification and assessment of potential liabilities and risks in IFAD's activities,ย particularly vis-ร -vis third parties; ability to handle risks via contingency and mitigation strategies; 3.Position specific
Strategic mindset, Proactive, ongoing identification of strategic opportunities, potential synergies and partnerships 4; Project coordination, Identification of key-priorities, ability to work with others, coordinate and structure work to meet deadlines and adjustment of workplan/resource allocation when needed, identification and management of project-relatedย risks; 3 Cross-cutting themes - Environment & climate change: Expertise specific to the environment and climate change cross-cutting theme (e.g. climate and environmental policy, biodiversity, agroecology); 2 Cross-cutting themes - Gender and social inclusion: Expertise specific to gender and social inclusion cross-cutting theme (e.g. youth, targeting strategies); 2 Cross-cutting themes โ Nutrition: Expertise specific to nutrition cross-cutting theme (e.g. food systems); 2 IFAD partners, Knowledge of IFAD's partners' functioning and mandate, such as the public sector (e.g. governments and policy, institutions and system), non-state actors (NGOs, CSOs, Foundations, etc.) and private sector actors; 4 Performance management, Know-how in managing performance, learning management, establishing learning plans and ensuring staff supervised meet their development needs while meeting the needs of IFAD; 3 Research & impact assesment, Know-how in designing, coordinating, conducting technical research & impact assessment in own thematic area; 2Other Information ย
ย **Theย location of the position is currently in Rome, Italy*ย but will change once IFADโs regional office for the Asian and the Pacific division is confirmed.ย Applicants are informed that the location may be New Delhi, Beijing or Bangkok.
This position is included in IFAD internal reassignment exercise and advertised externally in parallel. Should a suitable staff member be identified during the reassignment exercise and the reassignment decision accepted, the recruitment process will be cancelled. In case no suitable candidate is identified through reassignment, the recruitment process will continue.
IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD's Human Resources Policy, the President can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in IFAD.
IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic, social or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size or sexual orientation.
Please be aware of fraudulent job offers. IFAD does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Official communication from IFAD will always come from e-mails ending in @ifad.org.
In the interest of making most cost-effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful.