Strategic Communications Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level. 
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. 
Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
•    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
•     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
•    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
•    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Islamabad

Reporting Lines

The incumbent shall work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, direct supervision of FAOR and in close collaboration with FAO programme and project staff, and in regular consultation and coordination with the Regional Communication Officer (FAORAP).

Technical Focus

The Strategic Communications Specialist will lead the development and implementation of communication strategies to raise visibility of FAO’s work, ensure donor recognition, and support advocacy around food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. This includes media engagement, content development, social media, and alignment with FAO’s global standards.

Tasks and responsibilities

In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will:

Lead Strategic Communication Planning and Advisory
•    Provide strategic leadership in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the FAO Pakistan communications and advocacy strategy, ensuring alignment with FAO corporate communication priorities, SDG messaging, and country programme objectives.
•    Advise senior management on reputational risk, public engagement strategies, and brand positioning in complex or sensitive communication contexts.

Oversee and Guide Communications at National and Subnational Levels
•    Provide oversight and quality assurance of all communications initiatives across FAO project offices in Pakistan, ensuring coherence, alignment, and innovation across internal and external communications.
•    Serve as a mentor and technical lead for communications staff in field locations, building capacity and ensuring alignment with global best practices.

Strategic Engagement and High-Level Partnerships
•    Build and maintain strong relationships with high-level media representatives, communications leads from government counterparts, development partners, UN agencies, and FAO HQ and regional offices to amplify visibility of FAO’s work in Pakistan.
•    Represent FAO Pakistan in strategic UN Communication Group (UNCG) meetings and regional/global communication platforms.

Content Oversight and Messaging Alignment
•    Provide final clearance and strategic messaging guidance on all major communication materials including success stories, policy briefs, advocacy campaigns, documentaries, and external media responses.
•    Ensure quality control and alignment with FAO's editorial guidelines and communications tone across all platforms.

Lead Integrated Communication Campaigns
•    Design and implement large-scale national communication and visibility campaigns, including those linked to key international days (e.g., World Food Day), global launches, or flagship programme milestones.
•    Integrate multi-channel approaches (traditional, digital, events, influencer/advocacy engagement) with measurable results frameworks.

Reporting
•    Produce high-level communication reports and success metrics for donors, senior management, and external partners.

Crisis and Risk Communication
•    Serve as the lead communications advisor during crises or emergencies, developing key messaging, FAQs, and communication protocols in coordination with the FAO crisis management team and relevant UN entities.

Innovative Content and Digital Leadership
•    Spearhead digital communication innovation, including social media analytics, digital storytelling formats, and data visualization to enhance user engagement and information accessibility.
•    Ensure the FAO Pakistan website and digital platforms are regularly updated and effectively used for advocacy and public engagement.

Visibility and Donor Communication
•    Work closely with programme teams to develop tailored visibility and communication plans for donor-funded projects, ensuring compliance with visibility guidelines and amplifying donor contributions through targeted narratives.

Capacity Development and Internal Communication
•    Lead capacity-building initiatives for FAO staff and partners on effective communication skills, storytelling, media engagement, and digital communication.
•    Strengthen internal communications systems, channels, and protocols within the FAO Pakistan country office and field teams.
•    Ensure that all publications and documents to be disseminated via the FAO document repository are timely processed through the corporate Publications Workflow System (PWS), from their planning to production and dissemination.

Perform other related duties, as assigned by the supervisor:

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 Communications, Journalism or Media Studies
•    Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible work experience at the national levels in strategic communication 
•    Working knowledge of English 
•    National of Pakistan

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Strong writing & communications skills. 
•    Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams is essential.
•    Extent of experience in Communications and media relations;
•    Extend of experience in UN or similar settings would be considered an asset;
•    Extent of experience in digital strategy and storytelling
•    Excellent writing, editing, and speaking skills in English and Urdu. 
•    Extent of experience in creating content for various communication products
•    Extent of experience in communication, diffusion strategies and techniques, reporting and documentation, and media.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION