Senior Communication Officer (Head Of The Digital And Multimedia Branch)

Organizational Setting

The Office of Communications (OCC) is responsible for all corporate and internal communication activities of the Organization. It ensures coherence and consistency in FAO's corporate messaging and communications' outputs, as well as enables cost-effectiveness in use of communication-related resources across the Organization. The Senior Communication Officer (Head ofthe Digital and Multimedia Branch) leads the Digital and Multimedia Branch of OCC, supporting the implementation of the division's strategic objectives including by overseeing the branch's creation of multimedia content and its dissemination across all digital platforms and Multimedia channels.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Communication Officer (Head ofthe Digital and Multimedia Branch) reports to the Director, OCC.
 
Technical Focus
Digital communications and Multimedia relations.

Key Results
Leadership, technical and policy expertise for the planning, development and implementation of office work, projects, products and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework and Corporate Communication Strategy.

Key Functions
• Leads multidisciplinary team(s), leads and/or participates in teams/committees, leads and/or participates in organization-wide committees and represents FAO at inter-agency meetings.
• Analyses strategic/business/service 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 support to operational, policy, system, tools and reporting frameworks.
• Supervises staff, oversees the delivery of multi-disciplinary programmes, policies, products and services and prepares a variety of plans, strategies, reports and proposals.
• Promotes and pilots new concepts and initiatives, manages related projects and consultants and plays a lead role in the implementation process of communication strategy and policy.
• Plans and develops consultation/communication/information/training programmes and products to promote understanding of programmes, services and policies as well as increased capacity development.
•  Performs other duties as required. 

Specific Functions
• Provides overall strategic direction to the activities of the Branch (web/social/photo/video/audio/digital asset management) taking into account the evolving industry practices and technologies, and the needs of the audiences.
• Leads the planning, development and implementation of multimedia content creation for web, social media, external media outlets (including digital, television and radio), ensuring that content is produced timely and distributed broadly in accordance with the objectives of the Organization.
• Leads, manages, mentors, trains and develops the team to ensure timely and quality delivery of output, as well as continuous improvement and development. 
• Assesses and evaluates the impacts and reach of output and adjusts strategies and improves output accordingly.
• Coordinates with FAO's Centres/Divisions/Offices, Regional, Subregional and Country Offices and other partners to plan and facilitate the work of the Branch.
• Oversees FAO's corporate web, social media, digital asset management and other digital pillars such as photo, video and audio outputs, in collaboration with the Digitalization and Agri-informatics Division (CSI) and in line with appropriate governance mechanisms.
• Develops strategic relationships with key partners, including various industry players, knowledge partners, digital platforms, broadcast outlets (photo agencies, TV and radio), to promote FAO's global digital media presence.
• Manages the Branch's human and financial resources; formulates work plans and budget, and manages staff performance.

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in communication, journalism, social or political science or a related field.  
• Ten years of relevant experience in communication, public information or journalism, with strong emphasis on digital communications.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies
•     Results Focus
•     Leading, Engaging and Empowering
•     Communication
•     Partnering and Advocating
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
•     Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills
• Extent and relevance of experience in communication services for prominent organizations, particularly at the international level, including media relations, online communication and social networks, along with direct experience in journalism.
• Extent and relevance of experience in coordinating and managing complex interdisciplinary communication outputs as well as the production of complex technical content for external audiences, especially in areas relevant to FAO's mandate. 
• Sound leadership skills; sound judgment, ability to resolve complex issues. Sound judgment in applying expertise to complex and/or sensitive issues, which are typically broad in scope.
• Demonstrated communication (spoken, written, public speaking and presentational) skills, including the ability to convey and present sensitive issues/positions.
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.