Communications and Social Media 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 over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims 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 FAO Subregional Office for West Africa focuses on advancing agrifood systems transformation in line with its Strategic Framework 2022–2031, which emphasizes Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment, and a Better Life, ensuring that no one is left behind. The office supports 15 countries in the region, emphasizing strategic communication and social media engagement to position FAO as a trusted technical leader and advocate for sustainable agricultural practices.

Job Overview:
The Communications and Social Media Specialist will play a crucial role in enhancing FAO SFW's digital presence and outreach. The primary objective of this position is to produce engaging, high-quality social media content that aligns with FAO's priorities and results across West Africa. The specialist will focus on creating youth-friendly, innovative, and people-centered digital storytelling that amplifies FAO's work and values. This role requires a blend of creativity, technical skills, and an understanding of the agrifood sector, as the specialist will be responsible for developing content that resonates with diverse audiences, particularly youth, farmers, and rural communities. The position involves close collaboration with various teams within FAO to ensure that the messaging is credible, accurate, and impactful, thereby supporting advocacy, resource mobilization, and public engagement.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: developing creative and engaging social media content such as short videos, visuals, infographics, and captions; supporting real-time storytelling during field missions and events; humanizing FAO's work through compelling narratives that highlight the contributions of farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and communities; identifying digital trends and storytelling formats that resonate with target audiences; adapting complex technical messages into accessible digital content; maintaining institutional tone and cultural sensitivity; coordinating with program teams to ensure accurate representation of FAO's interventions; contributing to social media content calendars; drafting posts for FAO platforms; managing regional social media channels; monitoring engagement metrics; and ensuring compliance with FAO's branding and communication standards. The specialist will also be expected to perform other communication-related tasks as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in communication, journalism, digital media, agriculture, rural development, marketing, or a related field. They should have at least 2 years of relevant experience in communication, social media management, and digital content creation, particularly in the agrifood sector. Full proficiency in English and French is required, along with the nationality of Senegal or residency in the country with a valid work permit. Candidates should demonstrate a strong interest in agriculture, food systems, climate action, and rural livelihoods, as well as the ability to create engaging digital content that resonates with diverse audiences.

Educational Background:
A university degree in communication, journalism, digital media, agriculture, rural development, marketing, or a related field is essential for this position. This educational background provides the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of communication in the context of agrifood systems and the digital landscape.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in communication, social media management, and digital content creation. Candidates should have a proven track record of developing communication materials, managing online platforms, and supporting awareness and visibility campaigns, particularly in the agrifood sector. Experience in creating engaging digital content that resonates with youth and rural audiences is highly valued.

Languages:
Full proficiency in English and French is mandatory for this position. These language skills are essential for effective communication and engagement with diverse stakeholders in the region. Knowledge of additional languages spoken in West Africa may be considered an asset, enhancing the ability to connect with local communities and audiences.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Dakar, Senegal, and is expected to be a full-time role. The specialist will work closely with various teams within FAO and may be required to travel for field missions and events. The role emphasizes creativity, innovation, and a strong commitment to FAO's mission of achieving food security and sustainable agricultural practices. Compensation and benefits will be in accordance with FAO's policies and standards.