WFP: Communications Associate – Dili

Organization Mission

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food and technical know-how to change lives through the promotion of long-term development assistance and self-reliance.

Context

Under the direct supervision of the WFP Communications Officer, the UN Volunteer will support WFP’s technical assistance to the Government around sustainable development through the lens of a food security and nutrition-focused communications strategy centred around WFP’s partnership with the Government in improving food systems and nutritional outcomes. Employing audiovisual, photographic, and visual materials, the assignment will highlight WFP’s contribution to protecting vulnerable populations, promoting inclusive development, and upholding human dignity, while also strengthening partnerships with government institutions and development partners and raising awareness of coordinated responses to food insecurity and humanitarian needs.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Communications Officer, and working alongside the National Communications Assistant, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Content Production

– Assist in the production of high-quality videos, photographs, and graphic design materials for social media platforms, website and digital channels, and print materials (e.g., reports, briefs, banners, etc.),

– Support the development of storytelling products highlighting WFP’s impact (e.g., schoolchildren benefiting from WFP’s technical assistance to the Government around school meals), and Contribute to the editing and packaging of multimedia content aligned with WFP’s branding guidelines

Digital & Social Media Support

– Contribute to creative ideas for social media campaigns, including international and national commemoration days,

– Support content planning aligned with editorial calendars, and

– Assist in the adaptation of content for different platforms (e.g., Facebook, X, etc..)

Visibility & Partnerships

– Participate in efforts to ensure proper visibility of donors, WFP, and government counterparts in all communication materials.

– Support documentation of field activities, missions, and events that highlight sustainable development initiatives

Content Management & Archiving

– Support the organization and maintenance of photo and video archives.

– Assist in the proper labelling, metadata, and accessibility of multimedia assets.

– Support the development of a structured digital asset management system

Required Skills and Experience

Demonstrated interest or experience (up to 3 years) in:

– Video production and editing,

– Photography,

– Graphic design, and

– Social media content creation

– Experience working with UN agencies or international organizations is an asset

Demonstrated interest, knowledge, or experience with:
– Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)

– Video editing and post-production

– Photography and lighting techniques

– Social media trends and digital storytelling

– Basic animation/motion graphics skills are an advantage

Skills in:
Proficiency in Windows MS Office (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc)

Basic knowledge of graphic design software, such as Canva, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe premiere etc…

Core Competencies

Creativity and storytelling ability

Strong visual and aesthetic sense

Attention to detail

Ability to work under tight deadlines

Teamwork and collaboration

Cultural sensitivity and adaptability

Strong organizational skills

Living Conditions

Timor-Leste’s living conditions reflect both its natural beauty and the challenges of being a young, developing nation. The country offers stunning coastlines, mountains, and a warm tropical climate, with a culture that is welcoming and community-oriented. Infrastructure is limited, with healthcare and education systems still developing, and advanced medical care often requiring travel abroad. Transport is simple and inexpensive, while food is affordable, especially local produce and seafood. Safety is generally good, though occasional political unrest can occur, and utilities such as electricity and internet may be inconsistent. Overall, living in Timor-Leste combines affordability and natural charm with the realities of limited services and economic challenges.

Location of the workplace

WFP’s country office in Timor-Leste is in the centre of the capital Dili and within a commercial compound that hosts a supermarket, an insurance company, restaurants, and other services. Several ATMs are within walking distance. Commuting to the office from residential neighbourhoods traditionally takes between 15 and 20 minutes. Having a private, designated mode of transportation – either car or scooter, which can be purchased or rented locally – would be advantageous. For the UN Volunteer, WFP provides a car to and from the office during the work week for the duration of their assignment or until the UN Volunteer secures their own transportation to/from the WFP country office. Staff is not eligible for UN plates. Insurance schemes exist but many drivers do not have insurance on their vehicles.

Housing

There is a variety of housing available for rental, ranging from apartments to houses. Most international communities live in compounds that ensure a generator in case of power outages. Costs range from USD 800 – USD 2,000 for one-bedroom apartments and are usually serviced and have air-conditioning. One can expect to pay more to rent a house.

Bottled drinking water is available for purchase from numerous locations throughout Dili. The country offers basic infrastructure and, especially in Dili, there are basic health service providers.

Conditions of Service

The Conditions of Service, available here: https://explore.unv.org/cos, outline the policies and rules governing UN Volunteer assignments. Full information on entitlements at the duty station can be accessed here: https://app.unv.org/calculator.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity’s policy