Advisor – Strategic Communications

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 help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition. It works towards making agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, ensuring 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, particularly the goal of achieving zero hunger by 203

• The Office of Communications (OCC) within FAO is responsible for leading the organization's corporate and internal communication efforts, ensuring consistency in messaging, promoting effective communication strategies, and enhancing the visibility of FAO's work globally.

Job Overview:
The Advisor – Strategic Communications will play a pivotal role in advancing FAO's communications strategy, focusing on the development and implementation of audience-led, data-driven global campaigns. This position is crucial as FAO transitions towards a more strategic approach in its communications, emphasizing the importance of understanding audience needs and utilizing data to inform messaging and outreach. The Advisor will be responsible for establishing systems and processes that enable the organization to deliver impactful campaigns that align with FAO's institutional goals. This includes launching high-profile campaigns aimed at resource mobilization and advocacy, driving digital transformation through the use of AI and digital tools, and ensuring that communications efforts are coherent across various levels of the organization. The role requires a deep understanding of communication strategies and the ability to generate insights from audience data to optimize campaign performance.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Advisor will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Building and implementing systems and processes for the Office of Communications (OCC) and FAO to deliver audience-led, data-driven global campaigns.
• Leading the launch of significant multi-year campaigns focused on resource mobilization and advocacy.
• Driving digital transformation by deploying digital tools and AI-assisted workflows to enhance communication efficiency.
• Guiding the integration of systems for targeted outreach and performance tracking for global audiences.
• Generating audience insights through qualitative and quantitative research to inform campaign strategies.
• Developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the performance of communication initiatives.
• Supporting capacity building within FAO's communications network through training and best-practice guidance.
• Collaborating with various branches of FAO to ensure local insights inform global communication strategies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in communications, marketing, public relations, international relations, or a related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in multi-channel campaigns, digital transformation, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy is required. Additionally, candidates must have a working knowledge of English at proficiency level C, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as communications, marketing, public relations, or international relations. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to compensate for the lack of an advanced degree. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of global communications and the strategic approaches necessary for effective stakeholder engagement and advocacy.

Experience:
The position requires at least 10 years of relevant experience in the field of communications, particularly in developing and executing multi-channel campaigns. Candidates should have a proven track record in digital transformation and stakeholder engagement, demonstrating their ability to lead initiatives that align with organizational goals. Experience in advocacy and the ability to work independently in a multicultural environment are also essential for success in this role.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position, with proficiency level C being the minimum requirement. This level of proficiency ensures that the candidate can effectively communicate and engage with diverse stakeholders. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in a multilingual organization like FAO, where communication with various international partners is crucial.

Additional Notes:
This position is part of a roster of communications consultants, meaning that inclusion does not guarantee employment but allows shortlisted candidates to be considered for future assignments over the next three years. The role is expected to be full-time, and candidates should be prepared to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment. FAO emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in communications, particularly regarding data handling and confidentiality. The organization also values continuous improvement and encourages candidates to demonstrate a proactive approach to enhancing workflows and team efficiencies.