DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS11 May 2025-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)
WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.
ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme is the worldโs largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.
To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.
WHY JOIN WFP?
WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Communications and Media team is responsible for managing the visibility and reputation of WFP globally. As the leading humanitarian agency dedicated to hunger and food security, WFP communicators span the globe, supporting frontline operations in more than 120 countries. This award-winning communications team utilizes the latest technologies across media, digital platforms, content gathering, advocacy and influencer programs to ensure authentic, transparent and engaging storytelling on behalf of WFPโs operations and brand.
THE ROLE
The Senior Communications Officer reports to the Director of Communications and Media and helps to lead the Global Media team. This role requires a proactive, solutions-oriented communicator with deep media expertise, a strong digital mindset, and a strategic approach to team leadership, messaging, and crisis communications.
You will be responsible for managing a high-performing, newsroom-style team of communications professionals spread across multiple regions. You will develop and implement comprehensive media strategies that: build WFPโs brand, grow understanding of our unique value proposition as the lead humanitarian agency on food security issues, update stakeholder audiences on critical WFP frontline operations, manage reputational risks and more.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):
- Lead the development and implementation of media strategies aligned with WFPโs global communications priorities.
- Manage a globally dispersed media team, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
- Cultivate and leverage a strong network of Tier 1 global media relationships, across traditional and digital news outlets that span print, broadcast, podcasts, and emerging formats.
- Serve as a media spokesperson, representing WFP in high-profile media engagements, and prepare senior leaders for interviews and press interactions.
- Oversee the production of high-quality media content, ensuring clarity, consistency, and accuracy under tight deadlines.
- Guide the planning and execution of multimedia strategies and integrated communications campaigns, ensuring cross-functional alignment and delivery.
- Design and oversee strategic internal and external crisis communication plans and support reputational risk mitigation.
- Drive WFPโs presence across digital and social platforms, aligning content distribution and engagement strategies for maximum amplification.
- Coordinate with Regional and Country Offices to ensure effective messaging in all regions and provide tailored support and guidance.
- Track, measure, and evaluate media engagement efforts and campaign performance using relevant metrics and insights.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of communication processes and outputs across the function.
- Other as required.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Education: Advanced University degree in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience.
Experience:
- At least 11 years of journalistic/communications experience with a minimum of 7 years managing a global team of communicators
- Proven experience managing a newsroom-style team of globally dispersed media and/or communications professionals focused on high-profile, geo-political issues.
- Demonstrated ability to work horizontally across large organizations and serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership.
- Expertise in developing and executing integrated communications and multimedia strategies.
- Strong track record managing reputational risk and developing crisis communication strategies.
- Outstanding writing and editorial skills, with the ability to produce compelling content under pressure.
- Proven experience as a media spokesperson and in preparing others for tier 1 media interviews.
- Deep understanding of the changing global media landscape, including digital, social, and alternative platforms.
Language: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language).
โMORE ABOUT YOU
You have:
- A strategic mindset with the ability to respond quickly and effectively in dynamic and fast-changing environments.
- A digital-first approach, with a clear understanding of how to leverage platforms and tools for global content distribution.
- A solutions-focused attitude, capable of managing complex challenges with creativity and collaboration.
- Strong cross-cultural communication skills and an ability to work in a highly matrixed international environment.
- A passion for WFPโs mission, and a commitment to communicating our impact clearly and compellingly.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Geographical Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term International Professional position as well as a rotational contract with a probationary period of one year.
WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel, visa and shipment allowances, 30 daysโ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance. For more information, visit https://icsc.un.org/.
The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Rome, Italy which is a family duty station to take up this assignment.WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.
Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: global.inclusion@wfp.org
NO FEE DISCLAIMER
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.