National Communications and Visibility Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The organization operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 12,000 employees. FAO's work is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The FAO Sierra Leone Country Office plays a crucial role in implementing FAO's strategies and programs at the country level, particularly in areas related to food security, agriculture, and rural development.

Job Overview:
The National Communications and Visibility Specialist will be responsible for supporting the EU-funded project management by enhancing visibility and communication regarding project activities. This role is critical in ensuring that the project's impact is effectively communicated to stakeholders and the public. The specialist will work closely with various technical units within FAO and will be tasked with developing a comprehensive communication strategy that aligns with the project's objectives. This includes creating communication materials, organizing stakeholder engagement activities, and documenting lessons learned throughout the project lifecycle. The position requires a proactive approach to communication, ensuring that all materials and activities comply with FAO and EU guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will have a range of responsibilities, including:

• Collaborating with the FAO communications unit to develop a communication strategy and plan that outlines objectives, target audiences, key messages, communication channels, and evaluation methods.
• Creating and disseminating communication materials such as brochures, fact sheets, newsletters, and press releases on a monthly or quarterly basis based on field data collection.
• Organizing and facilitating at least two stakeholder engagement activities, including community meetings and workshops, to gather feedback from stakeholders.
• Coordinating with project partners, including government agencies and NGOs, to ensure consistent communication efforts and regularly sharing feedback with the project steering committee.
• Documenting lessons learned during project implementation and participating in meetings to monitor and evaluate communication effectiveness.
• Organizing radio programs and media actions to gather public feedback and inputs for ongoing project activities.
• Ensuring adequate photo and video coverage of major project events for reporting purposes.
• Regularly updating the FAO country office's website and social media accounts with project progress.
• Documenting the project's start, mid, and end phases to highlight success stories. 1
• Performing any other duties assigned by management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of experience in developing and implementing communication strategies for environmental or natural resource management projects is required. Proficiency in English is mandatory, and candidates must be nationals of Sierra Leone. Strong writing and editing skills are essential, along with experience in creating communication materials such as press releases and newsletters. Experience in organizing stakeholder engagement activities and graphic design for visibility materials is also necessary.

Educational Background:
A university degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field is required for this position. The FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in developing and implementing communication strategies and activities, particularly in the context of environmental or natural resource management projects. Candidates should demonstrate a strong background in communication practices and stakeholder engagement.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not specified as a requirement.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements. The position is based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and is likely to be a full-time role. The FAO emphasizes compliance with its standards and guidelines in all communication materials.