Technical Specialists In Communication

Organizational Setting

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Division is one of FAO's core technical divisions under the Natural Resources and Sustainable Production stream at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Division collaborates with Members and partners to promote for the responsible and sustainable management of aquatic food systems, aiming for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life. To fulfil its mandate, the Division focuses on the global development of fisheries and aquaculture through the implementation of its Blue Transformation a strategic approach that outlines a vision for sustainable and resilient aquatic food systems. Additionally, it extends support to Members through normative instruments and in collaborations with regional fishery bodies (RFBs) established within the framework of the FAO Constitution.
The posts are either home-based or located at FAO headquarters, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, Italy. 

Reporting Lines

The specialists report to the relevant NFI officers and collaborate with pertinent NFI staff.

Technical Focus 

Support to the implementation of activities and production of materials, including reports, web articles, publications, documents, media supports as well as other relevant products, to raise the profile of the FAO Blue Transformation vision, in line with the Division’s mandate.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Communication specialist will be dedicated to the promotion of the Blue Transformation activities and its impact on the field. The key functions of the consultant will be to:
•    Liaise with the network of fisheries officers in the field to identify success stories, facts and figures (for consultants only);
•    Document successful stories with the support of communication officers in decentralized offices;
•    Collaborate in the preparation and dissemination of written contents and promotional materials to support resource mobilization, including documents, materials for exhibitions, web contents etc.;
•    Act as the communication liaison with decentralized offices;
•    Contribute to the update and maintenance of the divisional database for good practices and successful stories; 
•    Provide support in the compilation and analysis of communications key performance indicators; and
•    Perform the above tasks in compliance with relevant organizational technical, security, data and quality standards and procedures, in liaison with relevant FAO departments and services.

Collaboration and liaison with the Office of Communication (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

•    Bachelor’s degree (for consultants) or technical diploma (for PSA) in communication, journalism, political science international affairs or related subject;
•    1 year (Category C consultant/PSA) or 5 years (Category B consultant/PSA) of relevant experience.
•    For consultants, working knowledge (Level C) of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge (Level B) of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, or Russian.
•    For PSA, working knowledge (Level C) of English or of another FAO official language. 

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Excellent command of English and at least another relevant FAO official language.
•    At least one year of proven experience in communications 
•    Excellent writing skills and proven capacity for storytelling
•    Experience in the field of journalism
•    Experience working in sensitive and fast-moving contexts, preferably at an international level and/or in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region
•    Excellent computer skills (MS Office essential and design software an asset)

Selection Criteria 

•    Level of experience in working with international and intergovernmental organizations or projects
•    Good working knowledge of English. Knowledge of French or Spanish will be an asset  
•    For PSA, Level A of another official language is desirable. 
•    Ability to work on multiple projects, meet deadlines and ensure quality output 
•    Experience using content management systems and other advanced tools for online publishing and content distribution will be an asset 
•    Thoroughness, reliability, communications skills, sense of diplomacy and tact 
•    Level of experience in developing high-quality communication materials 
•    Ability to draft attractive texts for communication on multiple platforms