Communication Specialist

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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

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.

The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) works to ensure that countries and stakeholders respond to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, keeping food and agriculture sustainability high on the 2030 agenda. OCB assists FAO Members in their responses to the challenge of climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as developing the adaptive capacities of agriculture, fisheries and forestry to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and other natural resources. OCB coordinates FAO’s work on climate change, biodiversity and the environment, serving as the focal point for a multidisciplinary and global approach to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Convention of Biological Diversity and topics including bioenergy, ecosystem restoration, green and climate-resilient agriculture and Globally Important Agriculture Heritage Systems.

Reporting Lines

The Communication Specialist will report to and work under the overall supervision of the Knowledge Management Officer in OCB.

Technical Focus

Technical advice on the planning, design and implementation of communications and outreach for projects, strategies and services in connection with the FAO Strategic Objectives, field programmes and activities implemented by OCB workstreams on climate change, biodiversity and environment.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Communication Specialist will engage in the following areas of work\:

• 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.
• Develop stories of change and impact based on OCB project results and work at field level.
• Ensure targeted dissemination plans are in place for knowledge materials and news items to ensure they are widely disseminated to identified audiences including FAO conference, council and other high-level meetings, via relevant channels and media outlets.
• 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 widely disseminated Op-eds, news articles and web stories.
• Plan and support extensive and impactful media outreach campaigns related to key days, report launches and major events.
• Coordinate the production and draft the text of knowledge products (brochures, fact sheets, speaking points, social media messaging, etc.);
• Coordinate and upload finalized publications in the FAO Publications Workflow System (PWS);
• Create new and migrate webpages and websites using Sitefinity.
• Maintain relevant websites and webpages and regularly review and report on analytics;
• Coordinate the translation of text, including web text, news articles and publications;
• Support outreach and promotion of flagship publications and major events by sharing knowledge materials and the results of projects through various FAO social media channels;
• Upload publications in the FAO Publications Workflow Systems and monitor and report on publication downloads
• Liaise with the OCB Knowledge Management Officer on content of communications materials developed and to ensure communication materials are cleared and comply with FAO corporate standards.
• Perform other duties as required.

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\:
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 in related technical certification in communication, journalism, sustainable development or social sciences with a focus on agrifood systems, climate change, biodiversity and the environment or a related field.
• One to four years (for CAT C) and at least five years (for CAT B) of relevant experience in communication for development, particularly in the agriculture, climate, biodiversity, or environment sector as well as on issues such as gender, youth and formal education and capacity building. This should include experience in preparing knowledge products and running social media campaigns, writing news articles, managing list servers, and updating/creating webpages.
• Working knowledge (Proficiency level C) of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian. (Working knowledge of English (Proficiency level C) for PSAs)

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in developing communication and outreach campaigns and establishing partnerships and networks.
• Excellent analytical and conceptual skills, as well as gender-sensitive and cross-cultural competency.
• Ability to operate effectively as part of a team, contributing positively to team operations and working relationships.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work.
• Work experience at field/project level, with the United Nations, non-governmental organizations or similar.
• Research and analytical skills, and the ability to present and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability in media outreach and the identification of appropriate media outlets and channels.
• Practical knowledge and proven experience working with relevant ICT software.
• Experience of using a behavioural science approach in communications would be an asset.

Selection Criteria

• Education and experience
• Proficiency in written and verbal communication.
• Knowledge of digital communication tools and platforms
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across the organization.

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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