Communications Officer

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. In Ukraine, FAO has been active since 2003, focusing on emergency humanitarian response and agricultural development, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict since February 2022.

Job Overview:
The Communications Officer position is crucial for the strategic coordination and operational management of communications within FAO Ukraine. This role involves supporting the development and implementation of the FAO Ukraine Communications Strategy, ensuring that all communications align with FAO corporate standards and donor visibility requirements. The officer will work closely with various stakeholders, including the Head of Office, Communications Coordinator, and other colleagues across FAO Ukraine offices, to enhance the visibility and effectiveness of FAO's communications efforts. The position requires a proactive approach to managing communications workflows, media relations, and content production, ensuring that all outputs meet the highest quality standards and are delivered on time.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Communications Officer will be responsible for a wide range of tasks, including but not limited to:

• Supporting the development and annual revision of the FAO Ukraine Communications Strategy and workplan.
• Coordinating the implementation of communication activities across projects, ensuring timelines and quality are met.
• Drafting and reviewing communication materials such as press releases, news stories, and social media posts.
• Managing media relations and developing an annual media outreach plan.
• Ensuring compliance with donor visibility requirements and preparing communication packages for donor visits.
• Providing strategic communication support for public events and high-level missions.
• Establishing service-level standards for communication requests and monitoring compliance with communication planning requirements.
• Collaborating with staff at all levels to ensure consistent and accurate communications across the organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in journalism, mass communications, development communications, international relations, public relations, social or political sciences, or any other relevant field. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in strategic communications, media relations, or public relations is required. Candidates should have a working knowledge of English and Ukrainian at Level C, and must be nationals of Ukraine. Proven experience in coordinating communication workflows and managing teams is essential, preferably within an international organization or NGO.

Educational Background:
The position requires a university degree in a relevant field such as journalism, mass communications, or international relations. Candidates must have their educational qualifications recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED), ensuring that their degree is from an accredited institution.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in strategic communications, media relations, or public relations. Experience in developing and implementing strategic communication plans and managing communication teams in complex emergency or development contexts is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage day-to-day workflows effectively.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Ukrainian is mandatory, with both languages required at Level C. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory for this position.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and based in Kyiv, Ukraine. FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted, and FAO only considers higher educational qualifications from accredited institutions. For further employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.