Organizational Setting

The Office of Communications (OCis 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 communicationrelated operations.

The post is located in the Office of the Director, OCCDD of the Office of Communications at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Communication Officer reports to the Deputy DirectorGeneral (DDGand the Director of the Office of Communications (OC.

Technical Focus

Media relations, multimedia communications and internal corporate communication.

Key Results

Planning and delivery of OCC programmes, products and services and development of related policies and specialized tools and systems, using 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 Organizationwide committees and working groups and represents FAO at interagency 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 communications.
•  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

•  Actively supports the development of communication plans, tools and relevant material as well as documents for events, meetings, webinars and other initiatives under the responsibility of the Deputy DirectorGeneral (DDG, in line with corporate communication strategies, policies and guidelines.
• Researches, prepares factchecking, edits and produces professional communications materials for various audiences and ensures their timely dissemination via corporate and noncorporate communications channels, working closely with the Office of Communications (OC.
•  Contributes to high quality multimedia and digital content for dissemination via FAO’s intranet and globallevel platforms in close collaboration with OCC.
• Provides advice and support on communicationrelated issues and liaises with Divisions/Offices/Centres in the Stream for proper and timely organization of events, meetings, conferences, webinars, etc.
• Drafts talking points, briefs, fact sheets, speeches, etc. for the DDGB and Senior Managers in the Stream.
•  Reviews and edits written documents, including speeches, prepared for Senior Management in close consultation with the subject experts.
• Coordinates communication initiatives in the DDGB Stream.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in communication, social science, journalism, political science, international relations or a related field of international relations.
•  Seven years of relevant experience in communication, public information, international relations, web publishing and/or social media networks.
•  Working knowledge (proficientlevel of English and limited knowledge (intermediatelevel of one of the other official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanis.

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.
•  Extent and relevance of experience in the field of communication services for prominent organizations, particularly at the international level, including substantive experience in journalism, advocacy or communications and marketing, or in closely related fields.
•  Extent and relevance of experience in drafting highquality written materials for a wide variety of audiences.
•  Demonstrated ability and experience in drafting and editing in English.
•  Very good technical affinity for media contexts including knowledge of a wide range of multimedia, web and digital tools.
•  Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
•  Working knowledge (proficient – level of another FAO language is an asset.