Communication Specialist

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT:

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

FAO’s Land and Water Division (NSL) foresees a future whereby governments, development partners, civil society, academic institutions and the private sector and farmers, all work together to ensure that land, soil, and water resources are wisely used, conserved and restored for sustainable and resilient agrifood systems that support food security, nutrition and human wellbeing.
NSL provides policy guidance, technical and financial assistance to Member Countries in developing policies, programmes, best practices and management tools for ensuring productive and efficient use of land, soil and water resources to meet present and future demands for agricultural products, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of these resources. It promotes equitable access to and sustainable management of these natural resources with a view to enhancing productivity, livelihoods, equity, health and ecosystem services.
Under the new FAO’s Conceptual framework for integrated land and water resources management, NSL will work towards a core set of five integrated and strategic Objectives and Action Areas that have been elaborated to cut across the thematic land, water, soils, and geospatial areas of work of the Division: (1) Good Governance; (2) Wise use and restoration; (3) Mitigation and resilience; (4) Integrated solutions; (5) Data, digitalization, technology and innovation.

Contracts will be based in the Land and Water Division (NSL) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

The purpose of this call is to provide FAO’s Land and Water Division (NSL) with a roster of qualified candidates who can support NSL in the communication of FAO’s work on land, water, soil and geospatial.

Reporting Lines

The Consultant/PSA will report to the Knowledge Management Officer in the FAO Land and Water Division.

Technical Focus

The consultant/PSA will support the teams in the planning, design and implementation of communications and outreach for projects, strategies and services in connection with the work implemented by the FAO Land and Water Division.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Knowledge Management Officer and in close collaboration with the OCC branches and focal point, the incumbent will:

• Support and contribute to the preparation, production and dissemination of knowledge materials, including proofreading, editing and ensuring, according to the audience, a level of high quality technical and policy-relevant content.
• Support outreach and promotion of new NSL publications and major events by sharing knowledge materials and results of projects through relevant channels, ensuring they are widely disseminated to identified audiences.
• Showcase the results and achievements of FAO programmes and projects both internally and externally, in the build up to key events and days, reporting through news articles and web stories.
• Provide support in drafting the text of knowledge products (brochures, fact sheets, news highlights, newsletters, email announcements, social media messaging, etc.).
• Upload publications in the FAO Publications Workflow Systems and monitor and report on publication downloads.
• Maintain relevant websites and webpages, create new websites and migrate webpages and websites using Sitefinity.
• Contribute to the update and maintenance of relevant databases (publications, photos, etc.).
• Support the logistical organization of events and knowledge sharing activities, such as international conferences, seminars and webinars, technical workshops, publication launches, etc.
• Prepare reports of campaign outcomes, by analysing statistics from social media, publication downloads, website traffic and media analysis, where relevant.
• Perform other duties as required.

All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:

 FAOSTYLE (English: https://www.fao.org/3/cb8081en/cb8081en.pdf; French: https://www.fao.org/3/AC339FR/ac339fr.pdf; Spanish: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339s/ac339s.pdf; Arabic: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339a/ac339a.pdf; Chinese: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339c/ac339c.pdf);
 FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm;
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en;
 Story guidelines http://intranet.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/occ/Quick_Guides/UPDATED-Digital-Storytelling-Guide-EN-FINAL.pdf;
 Story template http://intranet.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/occ/Quick_Guides/FAO-Stories-Template-UPDATED.pdf;
 UN map standards (available to staff);
 FAO Brand and policy book (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

• University degree (for consultants) or related technical certification (for PSA) in communication, journalism, political science, international affairs or related field.
• One to four years of relevant experience for Category C consultants/PSA, at least five years’ relevant experience for Category B consultants/PSA in knowledge management or communication.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian). For PSA.SBS working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of information management, outreach, publishing and communication and event management organizations, particularly at international level.
• Experience in developing and implementing communication and outreach campaigns as well as events at global, regional and country level.
• Extent and relevance of experience in developing high-quality communication/multimedia materials for a wide variety of audiences, including non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to operate effectively as part of a team, contributing positively to team operations and working relationships.
• Research and analytical skills, and the ability to present and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of the Content Management System Sitefinity is considered an asset.
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered an asset.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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