Communication Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, which was established in 194

• FAO's mission is to eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, making agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable. The organization operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of approximately 12,000 employees. FAO's work is focused on improving agricultural productivity, ensuring security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and promoting sustainable management of natural resources. The Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) specifically supports FAO's initiatives on inclusive rural transformation, gender equality, and social inclusion in agrifood systems, developing policy analysis, technical guidance, and communication materials to enhance the visibility and accessibility of its work.

Job Overview:
The Communication Specialist will play a crucial role in enhancing the visibility and accessibility of the work conducted by the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) at FAO. This position involves a wide range of communication activities aimed at disseminating information about ESP's initiatives and ensuring alignment with FAO's corporate communication priorities. The specialist will be responsible for drafting and editing various communication products, managing social media content, and supporting the production of visual and multimedia materials. The role requires collaboration with internal teams and external partners to effectively communicate complex information to diverse audiences, ensuring that the messages are clear, engaging, and aligned with FAO's standards. The specialist will also assist in planning and executing communication strategies, contributing to the overall mission of promoting gender equality and social inclusion in agrifood systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Communication Specialist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Supporting daily communication activities for ESP, including the preparation and coordination of communication plans and work schedules.
• Assisting with FAO publication processes by compiling inputs, ensuring consistency in titles and metadata, and tracking publication proposals.
• Drafting, editing, and proofreading a variety of communication materials such as news articles, press releases, newsletters, and social media posts.
• Translating complex technical information into accessible content for different audiences.
• Managing social media channels by preparing posts, adapting messages, and monitoring engagement.
• Supporting graphic design tasks, including creating simple layouts and visual assets that adhere to FAO's visual identity.
• Assisting in video and multimedia production, including script development and coordination of editing processes.
• Providing communication support for events and campaigns, including logistics and post-event communication outputs.
• Maintaining organized communication repositories and ensuring efficient collaboration across teams. 1
• Monitoring and reporting on communication activities, including tracking dissemination and compiling analytics.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet specific qualifications to be considered for the Communication Specialist position. For consultants, an advanced university degree in communication, journalism, public relations, international relations, or a related field is required. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. For PSA positions, a university degree in a relevant discipline is necessary, along with at least one year of relevant experience in communications or related areas. A working knowledge of English is mandatory, and familiarity with FAO communication standards is an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in fields such as communication, journalism, public relations, international relations, development studies, social sciences, graphic design, digital media, multimedia production, or economics. For PSA roles, a university degree in a relevant discipline is sufficient, along with the requisite experience in communications.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the Communication Specialist position varies based on the type of contract. For consultants, extensive experience in communication-related roles is expected, particularly in drafting and editing communication products. For PSA candidates, at least one year of relevant experience in communications, public information, or related fields is required. Familiarity with social media management and graphic design is also beneficial.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another FAO official language would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

Additional Notes:
The position is likely to be full-time, and candidates may be assessed against FAO's core competencies, which include results focus, teamwork, communication, and building effective relationships. The role may involve collaboration with international teams, and candidates should be prepared to adhere to FAO's communication standards and guidelines. Specific details regarding contract duration, seniority level, and compensation may be provided during the recruitment process.