Organizational Setting

The project aims to strengthen public and private sector capacities in Brazil and Uruguay for joint and integrated water resource management (IWRM) in the Merín Lagoon Basin, with emphasis on the sustainable and efficient use of water,preservation of ecosystems and their services, and adaptation to climate change, through the development of a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and Strategic Action Programme. More info of the project can be downloaded from: https://www.thegef.org/projects-operations/projects/10550
To ensure project coordination and execution across the whole project area a binational project coordination unit will be set up. Such unit should ensure a rigorous and efficient implementation of annual work plan and budget, following Project Steering Committee and FAOs project task force guidance and decisions. This vacancy announcement is for the Binational Communications Specialist.
The position is located in various locations (Montevideo or Brasilia).

Reporting Lines

The Binational Communications Specialist will work under the supervision and report of the Budget Holder and direct guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor.

Technical Focus 

The communications specialist performs a variety of functions and actions related to the communication and dissemination work of the binational project, being responsible for the design of the Communications Strategy and Plan, as well as its implementation incorporating gender-sensitive approaches.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Lead the design and implementation of the communication and advocacy strategy with gender approach through digital media and printed materials.
•    Lead the elaboration, implementation and monitoring of the advocacy plan for sustainability of the project´s results and lessons learned.
•    Disseminate and register the participation of other members of the project team in the dissemination of the project´s progress and achievements in different fora.
•    Develop communication materials that summarize didactically the activities and targets of the project, including gender aspects, as well as its implementation schedule and scope of intervention.
•    In coordination with the CTA-B, support the design of the project image keeping consistency with the relevant guidance of FAO and the institutions participating in the project.
•    Design and update the digital platforms to share relevant official information on the project, considering the use of FAO social networks.
•    In coordination with the FAO communications area, advise the CTA-B on the graphic design of dissemination and training materials to be used within the framework of the project with the different governmental and non-governmental stakeholders at binational, national and local level.
•    Diagnose the communication requirements of the project and the needs of the key stakeholders at binational, national and local levels to ensure their engagement and participation in project activities.
•    Elaborate information briefs for the different target audiences on the objectives and the transformational impacts expected of the project.
•    Maintain communications and contact networks to raise awareness on the project´s strategies.
•    Identify the communications´ means of greatest reach and high concentration points of population in the localities to incorporate them in the communication strategy, seeking opportunities for collaboration as much as possible.
•    With the guidance of the FAO communications area, elaborate communication materials (infographics, audiovisuals, brochures, tri-fold brochures, videos, etc.)
•    In coordination with the FAO communication area, manage and monitor the publications uploaded to the FAO PWS system for the approval of publications made within the framework of the project.
All specific responsibilities are carried out in coordination with the institutional teams of each country and FAO offices.

Liaison with the OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes.

All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:

FAOSTYLE (English: https://www.fao.org/3/cb8081en/cb8081en.pdf https://www.fao.org/3/cb8081en/cb8081en.pdf; French: https://www.fao.org/3/AC339FR/ac339fr.pdf ; Spanish: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339s/ac339s.pdf ; Arabic: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339a/ac339a.pdf ; Chinese: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339c/ac339c.pdf) ;
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm http://www.fao.org/faoterm;
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en;
Story guidelines http://intranet.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/occ/Quick_Guides/UPDATED-Digital-Storytelling-Guide-EN-FINAL.pdf;
Story template http://intranet.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/occ/Quick_Guides/FAO-Stories-Template-UPDATED.pdf;
UN map standards (available to staff);
FAO Brand and policy book (available to staff).
Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in communication or related fields.
•    Post-graduate studies (diploma, master or doctorate) in environmental communication, public relations, management of digital communication (website and social media) or related fields.
•    Overall professional experience of 5 years in designing or implementing communication activities and strategies with diverse audiences, including different socio-cultural groups and media.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of Spanish and Portuguese is required. For PSA.SBS working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Experience in capacity strengthening at different levels.
•    Ability to manage and develop the activities through technological platforms for virtual communication and remote work environments.
•    Ability to plan, foresee risks and establish targets within his/her area of responsibility; and to contribute to the targets and objectives of the team and work group.
•    Experience in workshop facilitation and coordination of multidisciplinary teams.
•    Availability to travel within the country to the project intervention areas.
•    Demonstrated abilities for analysis, synthesis and writing to generate high quality knowledge documents/publications and communication instruments.
•    Familiarity with and a supportive attitude towards processes of strengthening local organizations and building local capacities for self-management.
•    Demonstrated capacity in project cycle management and evaluation of environmental and social projects.
•    Management of conceptual frameworks regarding social and environmental indicators.
•    Availability to travel within the participating countries to the areas where the project will be implemented. Willing to undertake regular field visits and interact with different stakeholders, especially primary stakeholders.(for Consultants only)
•    Ability to plan, foresee risks and establish targets within his/her area of responsibility; and to contribute to the targets and objectives of the team and work group.
•    Ability to manage and develop the activities through technological platforms for virtual communication.
•    Experience in workshop facilitation and coordination of multidisciplinary teams.
•    Demonstrated abilities for analysis, synthesis and writing to generate high quality knowledge documents/publications and communication instruments.

Selection Criteria 

•    Experience in developing communication strategies.
•    Specific experience in environmental communication.
•    Knowledge on the national institutional and environmental context of both countries.
•    Desirable work experience with initiatives related to rural and indigenous populations.
•    Work experience in multicultural environments and implementing a gender approach.
•    Work experience whit e-participations tools.
•    Capacity to elaborate diagnoses, collecting information from primary and secondary sources, undertake regulatory gap analyses and issue recommendations.