ABOUT THE COMPANY:

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.

Organizational Setting
The Office of Communications (OCC) is responsible for both external and internal communications of the Organization.

It aims at making FAO’s communications strategic, coherent, focused and impactful, while ensuring effectiveness and efficiency in communication-related operations.

The position is located in the Office of the Director, Office of Communications (OCC) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Communication Officer (Strategic Communications) reports to the Director, Office of Communications.

Technical Focus
Communication, media relations, strategic communications, outreach and advocacy activities.

Key Results
The planning and delivery of OCC programmes, products and services and the development of related policies and specialized tools and systems, through the use of comprehensive communication and publishing expertise.

Key Functions
• Leads projects and/or work teams, leads and/or participates in office teams, provides services and/or professional expertise on Organization-wide committees and working groups and represents FAO at inter-agency meetings.
• Plans and delivers programmes, products and services including related policies, systems and tools to facilitate effective media relations, as well as internal and external corporate communication.
• Analyses information, data, statistics, relativities, trends, problems and/or issues to support effective communication delivery, new initiatives and the preparation of plans, strategies, reports, policies and/or other products.
• Provides specialist advice and expertise to internal and external partners on specific or complex cases, strategic communication, written communication, policy interpretation issues and/or best practices, etc.
• Manages special projects and provides guidance to consultants for the development and implementation of new products, tools and systems.
• Develops information, training materials and products to increase understanding of programmes, services and policies; promotes capacity development.
• Develops relevant performance criteria and indicators to evaluate programmes, products and services.

Specific Functions
• Identifies opportunities and develops communication and outreach strategies for the preparation and organization of outreach and fundraising activities aimed at advancing the communication priorities of the Organization both at headquarters and Decentralized Offices.
• Liaises with governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, the media and the general public to develop partnerships and/or new forms of collaboration for awareness raising, outreach and/or fundraising activities.
• Leads trust fund projects related to communication, outreach and/or fundraising activities.
• Manages all aspects of special field visits involving partners, celebrities and media, in the context of the Office’s outreach activities.
• Coordinates the preparation of promotional material (video spots, flyers, banners, press releases, etc.) and supervises implementation of related outreach initiatives.
• Monitors financial aspects related to trust funds (e.g.

monitoring of trust funds and contributions received establishment/closure of bank accounts).
• Ensures communication coordination of key corporate initiatives and projects between FAO projects both at national and international levels, including but not limited to the 2025 FAO’s 80th Anniversary and the launch of the Global Food and Agriculture Museum and network and other relevant activities and new initiatives.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in communication, social science, journalism, political science or a related field of international relations.
• Seven years of relevant experience in communication, public information, journalism, international relations or related field.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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

Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Demonstrated professional skills and competence in the area of communication and public information, including knowledge and understanding of international communications, track record of public engagement and editorial judgement.
• Relevant international experience in communications and outreach in the United Nations system.
• Demonstrated political judgement in an international environment.
• Proven negotiation skills, maturity, tact and diplomacy.
• Understanding of the governance and legal frameworks within international organizations.
• A broad understanding of FAO’s work is desirable, including a host country collaboration framework.
• Extent and relevance of experience in outreach, communication and advocacy, with emphasis on media relations and partnerships with governments and other institutions.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of Italian is highly recommended for this position.