Communication Specialist - Resilience

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Communication Officer, and in consultation with the Office of Corporate Communications, the consultant will provide communication support to FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF).

Technical Focus

The assignment will focus on providing strategic direction and communication support to enhance visibility of FAO’s activities and initiatives on resilience.

The Communication Consultant - Resilience will\:

• Develop communication plans for specific activities and target key messages tailored to certain audience (including donors, beneficiaries, partners, and the public), and disseminate information efficiently and effectively.
• Coordinate, produce and disseminate communication and advocacy materials, including brochures, human-interest stories, posters and other visibility products in close coordination with focal points in RAF and in observance of corporate and branding guidelines.
• Develop series of briefs highlighting Regional Initiative 3 achievement in key thematic areas of focus. RI3\: strengthen resilience among vulnerable farming and pastoral communities (Building Resilience in Africa’s Drylands)
• Develop a media database and partnerships with media organizations and journalists; interact and pitch stories of interest; organize media field visits.
• Coordinate media engagement during events and missions and collect visual and audio footage for archiving of events and missions.
• Create policy briefs and other strategic communication publications.
• Draft press releases and talking points; organize press conferences; prepare media kits; provide information to querying journalists; manage flagship FAO events (e.g., World Food Day, project launches, workshops, etc.).
• Cover high-level and high-visibility events; ensure media coverage and disseminate live information to highlight messages.
• Produce content for online and social media channels such as the website, Flickr, Twitter, etc. Write and edit web posts and ensure content is interesting and visually appealing. Increase FAO RAF’s social media engagement and feature stories that will appeal to audience.
• Work closely and train colleagues as communication champions and how to deal with the media by providing key messages and basic tips on media engagement
• Monitor communication plans and address gaps to improve effectiveness and quality.
• Coordinate production of stories from the field such as documentaries and photo essays; this includes drafting TORs for production team, writing script, conducting interviews, managing vendors, arranging logistics, etc.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, marketing, digital communication, public relations, or other relevant field
• Minimum of ten years of relevant experience in the field of communication
• International work experience in both developed and developing countries
• Fluency in written and spoken English, French an asset

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in communication and outreach in international and field positions preferably in the UN system or similar context
• Relevance of experience in strategic communication, media outreach, publications, digital communication, campaigns, etc.
• Proven experience in writing (candidates will be required to send samples of work and undergo an assessment)
• Knowledge in resilience, climate change and related area of work
• Experience in organizing international meetings, campaigns, high-level conferences, etc.
• Technical knowledge on digital communications such as social media and other channels; publications with knowledge in working on applications and desktop publishing tools; photography and videography
• Knowledgeable in media relations and have established networks with media partners
Ability to strategize and mobilize resources