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:
(i)    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii)    provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
(iii)     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
(iv)    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
(v)    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Syria.

Reporting Lines 

The Reporting and Communication Specialist (RCS) will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Syria, guidance from the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and FAO Communication Specialist, and under direct supervision from the Building Local Resilience in Syria (BLRS) Project Manager. The incumbent will be responsible for executing the following reporting and communication functions

Technical Focus

In the framework of FAO Syria’s Building Local Resilience in Syria (BLRS), which sets to target small holder farmers residing in targeted BLRS farming communities using a resilience approach, FAO Syria is implementing interventions that seek to improve medium–long term food security and resilience for targeted communities in Syria. The BLRS project prioritizes women, young people and persons with disabilities (PwDs) who are in chronic need in Aleppo, Deir-ez-Zor, Hama, Homs, and Rural Damascus governorates. Based on lessons learnt from past projects and through promoting climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices and gender-responsive activities.

The Reporting and Communication Specialist (RCS) will accomplish below key responsibilities and tasks:

Tasks and responsibilities

Reporting duties 
•    Assist in the initial review of the consolidated qualitative and quantitative input for progress and final reports from the project implementation team, in line with donor requirements,
•    Assist in the final preparation, consolidation and review of progress/terminal reports, publications and communication materials, while ensuring quality and alignment with FAO’s editorial policy,
•    Assist in editing /revising other reporting requests and project and operation documents such as project documents, assessment reports, periodic reports, implementing partner progress reports etc,
•    Provide effective support to the BLRS project implementation team, in terms of reviewing and monitoring of assigned work as well as elaboration of relevant analysis, documents and reports, including consolidating master files for planned and ongoing BLRS activities,
•    Review data quality in collaboration with the Information Management Specialist (IMS) and maintain and file BLRS project records and reference files on various subjects, including supporting the data management unit in compiling results data on BLRS project activities to support accurate narrative and results reporting,
•    Support the review and preparation of routine documentation and correspondence related to assigned procurement actions, including procurement plan etc,
•    Plan for meetings, seminars and events: collaborate with the logistics team and prepare correspondence, compile and make administrative arrangements.

Communication duties 
•    Develop publication content for the BLRS project achievements, highlighting cases studies and success stories, in both English and Arabic languages for printing and wide dissemination through social media when needed. Products must be in line with the BLRS communication plan,
•    Write press releases and stories about BLRS project activities, including FAO programme activities when requested, in both English and Arabic languages and contribute to the development of diversified communication products guided by and in collaboration with the FAO Communication Specialist,
•    Communicate with relevant Resilience Officers (ROs) and partners regarding programme initiatives, results, success and lessons learnt,
•    Assist in the distribution of FAO publications, reports, and materials to relevant stakeholder (FAO staff including FAOSY, FAO RNE, FAO-HQ, donors, other UN agencies, INGOs, and other any other possible target audience … etc,
•    Develop collateral visibility material samples (folders/banners etc.) for reporting and mass production,
•    Under the guidance of the Communication Officer, support the production process of the FAO communication and publications products/items by closely liaising with service vendors (printing companies, production house etc.) to ensure high quality of final products,
•    Produce visual materials and videos of FAO programmes human interest stories and success stories from the field, including managing FAO’s Nabta Facebook page and
•    Perform other functions as required

FAO Standards and guidelines:

Liaison with the OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, 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

•    The candidate must have at least a university degree in relation to thematic areas such as – literatures- science- agriculture.
•    More than 5 years’ experience in reporting and communication with reference to experience in writing, and with progressive hands-on expertise in the production of quality reports and communication materials/products.
•    Working knowledge of English and Arabic
•    National of Syria.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Writing and oral skills in Arabic and English.
•    Good communication, analytical, presentation and reporting skills, and an excellent team player.
•    Communication skills and ability to operate under pressure;
•    Competency in the use of MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint computer packages.
•    Proven experience with UN regulations and procedures will be an added advantage;
•    Good interpersonal skills

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION