Reporting LinesStaff members deployed for surge support report to the FAO Representative.
The Communication Officer will work in close collaboration with the Resource Mobilization and Communications team in the Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER) as well as the Office of Communications (OCC) and the Regional Communication Officer.Technical FocusMedia relations, strategic communication.Key ResultsContribute to the development and strengthening of external communication efforts, web publishing, digital content creation and media-relations activities of the Organization.Key Functions• Researches and analyzes technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support internal and/or external communication;• Produces a variety of information and reports as well as input for communication-related documents and web pages• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases;• Participates on multi-disciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other departments and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices;• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.Specific Functions• Supports and/or leads in the planning, development and implementation of a communications plan for the regional/country office.• Drafts initial public communication content at the onset/escalation of a crisis to ensure proactive FAO positioning, and provides regular updates as warranted through appropriate products and channels tailored to target audiences.
o Content to communicate early on may include: what is happening on the ground (e.g.
impact of crisis/shock on agrifood systems and rural communities); references to FAO's know-how and value-added; and relevant FAO data, statistics and knowledge.o Content to communicate as the situation evolves may include information and products that highlight FAO priorities/achievements in support of the Government and affected communities.o Products can include, but not be limited to: key messages; media talking points/holding lines; digital/social media assets); photos, videos and testimonies to produce multimedia human-interest stories; opinion pieces; publications (e.g.
thematic reports, policy briefs, flagship publications, etc).o Direct support should be provided to the FAOR as lead FAO spokesperson in the country, including managing media requests and drafting content for the FAOR's social media platform(s).• Provides quality communication support to Senior Management in anticipating, mitigating and resolving communications/public relations issues/problems, crisis communications and risk / reputational risk management.• Contributes to designing, planning and organizing effective media coverage of activities and events and arrange for media contacts, briefings (including at the biweekly Geneva press briefings and the daily New York noon briefings when appropriate), press conferences, interviews, media reportages to field projects, in collaboration with the regional and liaison communications officers and OCC media team.• Establishes and maintains relationships with international and national media, working with national communications staff as appropriate.• Organizes and coordinates communications aspects of high-level/Ministerial events.• Serves as a FAO spokesperson when appropriate, in agreement with the FAO Representative.• Participates in and represents FAO as a member of the UN Country Team (Humanitarian) Communication Coordination Groups.• Develops strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to elicit support for and maximize impact of communication objectives.• Engages with technical leads in the Regional Office, country office, UN partner agencies and other partners to develop content and implement campaigns.• Develops or supports capacity building of FAO national communication focal points, when needed.• Provides advice and expertise to technical staff and senior representatives in the area of communications from social media, external relations/outreach, media relations, donor engagements, etc.• Ensures compliance of all communication materials with FAO guidelines, policies and clearance processes, including:o FAOSTYLE (, o FAO terminology o FAO Brand and policy book (available to staff)o Social Media policy • Performs other duties as required.______________________________________________________________________________________________________CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWINGMinimum Requirements• Experience in communication, public information, journalism, international relations.Competencies• Results Focus• Teamwork• Communication• Building Effective Relationships• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous ImprovementTechnical/Functional Skills• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable;• Experience in humanitarian contexts is desirable.
FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency REMUNERATIONEmployees will maintain the contractual status, benefits and medical plans by which they are covered when performing their normal functions for the time of the deployment.
