Communication 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. With 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and support to countries, ensuring effective operations aligned with international standards of accountability. The current Country Programming Framework (CPF) for 2022-2025 outlines four priority areas: One Health, climate change response, food safety, and governance, gender, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Job Overview:
The Communication Specialist position is critical for ensuring effective communication and visibility of FAO's work in Vietnam. The incumbent will collaborate closely with the FAO Country Office in Hanoi and will be responsible for developing and disseminating communication materials that align with FAO's strategic objectives and donor requirements. This role involves creating engaging content for various media platforms, managing social media channels, and ensuring that communication strategies are effectively implemented. The Communication Specialist will also play a key role in promoting FAO's projects and initiatives, enhancing the organization's visibility and impact in the region. The position requires a proactive approach to media relations, digital communications, and knowledge management, ensuring that FAO's messages resonate with target audiences and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Communication Specialist will undertake a variety of tasks, including:

• Project Communication and Visibility: Develop articles, social media posts, and other communication materials to promote project visibility, ensuring compliance with donor and FAO guidelines. Coordinate the production of success stories and visual products, support the design of presentations and reports, and maintain a project photo bank and video library.
• Country Office Communications and Advocacy: Support the implementation of the FAO Viet Nam Communication Strategy, prepare press releases and speeches, and coordinate communication plans for major events.
• Media Relations and Partnerships: Maintain and expand the media contact list, build relationships with journalists, and coordinate media engagement during events.
• Digital Communications and Social Media: Manage FAO Viet Nam's website and social media platforms, develop a content calendar, and monitor engagement metrics.
• Knowledge and Information Management: Support the dissemination of newsletters and coordinate joint communication initiatives with other UN agencies and partners.
• Other Duties: Provide interpretation and translation services as needed and undertake additional communications-related tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or related fields. A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in communications and public relations is required, along with a working knowledge of English and Vietnamese. Candidates must be nationals of Vietnam or residents with a valid work permit. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills, teamwork abilities, and a results-focused mindset. Familiarity with FAO's communication standards and guidelines is advantageous, as is experience working within the UN system.

Educational Background:
The position requires a university degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or a related field. This educational background is essential for understanding the principles of effective communication and media relations, as well as for developing high-quality communication materials that align with organizational goals.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 years of relevant experience in communications, public relations, and media engagement. This experience should include a proven track record of developing communication strategies, managing media relations, and producing high-quality content for various platforms. Experience working with international organizations, particularly within the UN system, is highly desirable and will enhance the candidate's ability to navigate the complexities of communication in a global context.

Languages:
Proficiency in both English and Vietnamese is mandatory for this position. Candidates must demonstrate strong writing and reporting skills in both languages, as effective communication with diverse stakeholders is a key aspect of the role. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Hanoi, Vietnam, and is expected to be a full-time role. Candidates will be assessed against minimum requirements, FAO core competencies, and technical/functional skills. The role may involve occasional travel within the country for project-related activities and events. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO's policies and standards.