Job Description - Strategic Communication and Outreach Specialist (2501113)
CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: 2501113
Strategic Communication and Outreach Specialist
Job Posting
23/Apr/2025
Closure Date
07/May/2025, 9:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: NSP
Job Type
Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: Consultant
Primary Location
Italy-Rome
Duration: Up to 11 months with possibility of renewal
Post Number: N/A
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device.
* 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.
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 Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) enables the transition to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable plant production and protection through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices in order to increase production in a sustainable manner in order to eradicate hunger while preserving the natural resources and environment for future use.
The post is located in the Office of the Director, Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP).
Reporting Lines
The consultant will report to the NSP Director and will work with NSP Technical Teams and the Office of Communications (OCC). Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes.
Technical Focus
Technical leadership in strategic communication for NSP Division.
Tasks and Responsibilities
In accordance with FAO’s corporate communication policies and practices, and ensuring the quality and consistency of communication products with FAO standards, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
* Lead the development of strategic communication products and materials to amplify the visibility and impacts of NSP work at global scale e.g. key messages, brochures, newsletters, factsheets, reports and social media posts.
* Under the guidance of OCC, identify opportunities to promote NSP work and impacts, e.g. online media, social media, TV stations, podcasts, and other outlets.
* Lead the development of speeches and presentation materials for the Director and Deputy Director of NSP.
* Lead strategic engagement with other divisions and decentralized offices to produce high impact communication tools, products and materials.
* Manage, in collaboration with the relevant teams, the divisional input to corporate social media accounts.
* Contribute to the development of strategic communication efforts to strengthen NSP partnership and resource mobilization efforts.
* Support resource mobilization effort of the division in collaboration with technical teams from NSP and other divisions or offices.
* Under the guidance of OCC, and in consultation with the technical experts of the division, provide timely response to media requests and other communication related requests.
* Produce/draft communication-related documents, multimedia products, online content, press releases and strategic speeches.
* Ensure that all materials follow FAO guidance on communications, policies and procedures.
* Other tasks as requested by the Director of NSP.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
* Master’s degree in communication studies, journalism or related fields.
* 8 to 10 years of relevant experience in strategic communication, journalism, media engagement or related fields.
* Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English.
FAO Core Competencies
Selection Criteria
* Good understanding of strategic communication and high-level skills in written and visual forms of communication.
* Demonstration of previous work in strategic communication and their impact.
* Work experience in more than one location or area of work.
* Extent and relevance of experience in the field of communication services for prominent organizations, particularly at the international level, including substantive experience in journalism.
* Extent and relevance of experience in drafting high-quality written materials for a wide variety of audiences.
* Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
* FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing).
* Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list.
* Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/.
* Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
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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