Communication Specialist Job Ref. LIB/FAO/082309

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall direction of the FAO Representative, and Technical Supervision of Assistant FAO Representative for Programme, the Communication Specialist will provide strategic direction and communication support to enhance visibility of FAO’s programme in Liberia. In regular consultation and coordination with the project leads, the communication focal points of the Regional Office for Africa, Office of Corporate Communications, and the Sub-regional Office of West Africa, the consultant will ensure the development and implementation of the country communication strategy. Activities and output under the strategies will be coordinated in coherence with the organizational/corporate communication policy and operational guidelines. The candidate will perform the following tasks:

Technical Focus

The Communication Specialist is responsible for all corporate and internal communication activities of the Organization and shall ensure coherence and consistency in FAQ’s corporate messaging and communications’ outputs, as well as enables cost­ effectiveness in use of communication-related resources across the Organization.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The incumbent will undertake the following:

•    Develop and implement country specific communication strategy by identifying stakeholders, goals, objectives and timelines and consulting with thematic and technical teams.
•    From the outcome of the results and activities of the project, adopt the Project’s reporting format and develop a Communications Strategy and Plan of Action for the duration of the Project.
•    Comply with the FAO corporate and regional communication strategies and closely coordinate plans and activities with the Regional Communication Officer.
•    Develop communication plans for specific activities and target key messages tailored to certain audience (including donors, beneficiaries, partners, and the public), and disseminate information efficiently and effectively.
•    Coordinate, produce and disseminate communication and advocacy materials, including brochures, human interest stories, posters and other visibility products in close coordination with focal points in RAF and in observance of corporate and branding guidelines.
•    Develop a media database and partnerships with media organizations and journalists; interact and pitch stories of Calibri interest; organize media field visits.
•    Coordinate media engagement during events and missions and collect visual and audio footage for both publication and archiving of events and missions.
•    Create policy briefs and other strategic communication publications.
•    Develop and produce communication products to highlight all projects and including but not limited to key messages, briefs, brochures, talking points, success stories and presentations; also travel to field, as necessary, to ensure collection/production of stories, interviews, photos and videos.
•    Draft press releases and talking points; organize press conferences; prepare media kits; provide information to querying journalists; manage flagship FAO events (e.g., World Food Day, project launches, workshops , etc.).
•    Cover high-level and high-visibility events; ensure media coverage and disseminate live information to highlight messages.
•    Provide visibility for all project activities
•    Produce content for online and social media channels such as the website, Flickr, Twitter, etc. Write and edit web posts and ensure content is interesting and visually appealing. Increase FAO Liberia’s social media engagement and feature stories that will appeal to audience.
•    Work closely and train colleagues as communication champions and how to deal with the media by providing key messages and basic tips on media engagement.
•    Participate and represent FAQ in inter-agency communication meetings (UN Communication Group) and ensure FAO representation and participation in UN events.
•    Monitor communication plans and address gaps to improve effectiveness and quality.
•    Prepare and submit the draft final report, including all project activities, impact assessment, and lessons learned, and make recommendations for follow-up assistance in the agricultural sector.
•    Perform other related duties as required.
•    Liaise with the Office of Communication (OCC) 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

•    Master’s Degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, communication for development or a related field;
•    Minimum of 5years of experience in Corporate Communications, Public Information, Journalism, International Relations or agriculture/rural development sector communication and work experience with National and international NGO’s, UN Agencies, Government, and donors
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO language (Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, Russian). For PSA, working knowledge of English.

• Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Successful passing of the Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) in English at the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.
  The GGST is administered to applicants when required before the administration of a written assessment and/or interview.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential
•    Extent and relevance of experience in coordinating and managing complex multimedia communication, especially in areas relevant to FAO’s mandate
•    Extent and relevance of experience in publishing policies and processes and of key issues and developments affecting technical and scientific publishing
•    Demonstrated ability to project positive corporate images, reporting on key achievements and effectively advocating vision and priorities to internal and external stakeholders

Selection Criteria

•    Knowledge in corporate communications, public information, journalism, international relations or closely related fields
•    Independent worker and excellent skills working as part of a team;
•    English proficiency in writing; expertise in preparing high quality print and digital publications and products.
•    Very high skills/knowledge of background related to the ToR’s Requirements
•    Experience with UN, and other International Organizations would be an asset
•    Nationals of Liberia are encouraged to apply.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency