Deputy Director, Office Of Communications

• 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 persons 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
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

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, abetter environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

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 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is the Specialized Agency of the United Nations leading international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to high-quality food.

Communication is at the heart of FAO’s mission to help build consensus for a world without hunger. The effectiveness and credibility of the Organization as a policy-making forum and unique multilingual centre of excellence, knowledge and technical expertise depends to a considerable degree on its ability to communicate its work to harness efforts to eradicate hunger.

The Office of Communications (OCC) is responsible for all external and internal communication activities of the Organization. It ensures coherence and consistency in FAO’s messaging and communications’ outputs and aims at making FAO’s communications strategic, coherent, focused and impactful, while ensuring effectiveness and efficiency in communication-related operations.

The position is located in the Office of Communications (OCC) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Deputy-Director reports to the Director of Communications (OCC).

Summary of Duties and Functions

Under the policy guidance and the overall supervision of the Director, the Deputy Director of the Office of Communications (OCC) will provide support on the strategic vision, implementation, and management of all activities of the Office. In particular, the incumbent will\:

• Support the Director in the overall management of the Organization’s internal and external communication efforts to support the Strategic Framework of the Organization, in close alignment with established priorities supporting the 2030 agenda; ensuring efficiency and synergy while creating accurate and consistent communications in the One FAO approach;
• Support the Director to oversee overall strategic direction to the work of the Office of Communications, taking into account the evolving industry practices andtechnologies, and the needs of the audiences for proper delivery of multidisciplinary programmes, policies, products, and services;
• Support the Director in coordinating, supervising and providing expert advice on the communication activities, including media relations, multimedia productions, digital content, messaging, social media, visual storytelling, outreach and promotion, web presence, publishing, and library and knowledge services;
• Engage in the development of brand awareness, including through multimedia initiatives, innovative campaigns, public and media engagement opportunities and partnerships at large;
• Develop strategic relationships with key partners such as industry players, members and knowledge partners to promote FAO’s mandate through outreach including digital presence;
• Promote and pilot new concepts and initiatives, manage and implement related projects and multidisciplinary teams;
• Ensure effective and efficient management of Communications outputs by all branches, including through proper planning, monitoring, quality control and evidence-based reporting, as well as cost-effective use of financial and human resources, in line with set communication strategy and results-based management principles;
• Analyse strategic objectives, reform priorities and the latest trends in communication to provide critical input into plans and strategies, functional stream work plans and priorities as well as supporting operational, policy,system, tools and reporting frameworks;
• Foster teamwork and communication among staff and across organizational boundaries; ensure that the communications strategies and information campaigns are harmonised with overall goals and objectives of FAO;
• Support the Director in ensuring recruitment of highly qualified staff, mentoring, coaching and supporting career development of staff, and by implementing effective approaches for performance management;
• Build and maintain strong professional relations in the area of communication with the Organization’s partners, including other United Nations’ institutions and the Rome-based UN Agencies;
• Represent the Office of Communications at inter-agency, internal and external meetings as required, and handle day-to-day matters in the absence of the Director;
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in communications, journalism, international relations or related area;
• Minimum twelve years of relevant experience in communication, advocacy, journalism, or related fields in an international context;
• Ability to lead and work effectively with a diverse team of people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting;
• Demonstrated professional skills and competence in the area of communication and public information, including a knowledge and understanding of the digital and multimedia channels of international communication; track record of public engagement and editorial judgement;
• Relevant international experience in communications and outreach in the United Nations system or similar contextat the highest levels;
• Demonstrated political judgement in an international environment;
• Proven negotiation skills, maturity, tact and diplomacy;
• Demonstrated management and strategic leadership skills;
• Understanding of the governance and legal frameworks within international organizations;
• A broad understanding of FAO’s work is desirable;
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate- level B) of another FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Leadership Competencies