Communications Assistant SC 5

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance as a means to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of extreme weather. WFP operates globally, with a mission to ensure that no one goes hungry, and it has been recognized for its efforts, notably being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 202

• The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. WFP has a workforce that is diverse, skilled, and high-performing, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, and it values integrity, collaboration, commitment, humanity, and inclusion in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Communications Assistant SC 5 position at WFP is crucial for supporting the development, preparation, and execution of communications campaigns aimed at target audiences. The role involves a variety of tasks that require coordination, administrative support, and specialized services. The job holder will be responsible for monitoring and coordinating materials, schedules, and facilities, as well as providing support for special events and media projects. The position is particularly important in the context of Sri Lanka, which faces significant challenges due to natural disasters such as cyclones and floods. The WFP is implementing a program to assist vulnerable communities, and the Communications Assistant will play a key role in ensuring effective communication of these efforts to the public and stakeholders. This includes preparing content for various media platforms, conducting research, and monitoring media coverage to inform strategic decisions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide coordination, administrative, and specialized services to support staff in developing and executing communications campaigns for target audiences.
• Monitor and coordinate materials, schedules, facilities, and clearances, and provide support for special events, video/film, photographic, and radio projects.
• Conduct clearly defined research and prepare reports, providing data that enables informed decision-making.
• Monitor traditional and social media, reporting relevant information to senior staff to inform the development and evaluation of communications activities and strategies.
• Prepare content for traditional and social media platforms and printed materials, ensuring consistency with corporate messages and standards.
• Distribute communications guidelines for WFP staff to refer to when creating content.
• Manage and maintain records and databases, such as journalist and media outlet contact lists, ensuring the information is accurate and readily available.
• Respond to a variety of queries and requests for support, following standard processes and obtaining guidance as required to ensure timely and accurate resolution of all inquiries.
• Liaise with WFP staff and the media in a timely manner to facilitate effective communication.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of five (5) years of related work experience in communications or a similar field. They should demonstrate an ability to perform routine communication techniques and activities in line with WFP's operating standards. Experience in media relations and producing written and creative communications materials is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience in providing ad-hoc guidance to new staff members, showcasing their ability to mentor and support colleagues in communications practices.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is the completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in a related functional area is desirable, indicating that candidates should have some formal training or education in communications, public relations, or a similar field to be considered for the role.

Experience:
The role requires candidates to have at least five years of relevant work experience. This experience should include routine communication techniques and activities, demonstrating familiarity with WFP's operational standards. Candidates should have a proven track record in media relations and the production of written and creative communications materials, which are critical for the successful execution of the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory for this position, as effective communication in English is essential for the role. Additionally, a working knowledge of Sinhala or Tamil is desirable, as it would enhance the candidate's ability to communicate with local stakeholders and audiences in Sri Lanka, thereby improving the effectiveness of WFP's communications efforts in the region.

Additional Notes:
This position is offered as a Service Contract and is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is open to nationals only, meaning that only candidates who are citizens of Sri Lanka are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is set for 20 October 2026, and candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through the WFP online recruiting system. The organization emphasizes that it does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. The selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to ensure a safe and inclusive work environment.