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.

JOB SUMMARY

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Through its Country Offices, or FAO Representations, FAO assists governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to address hunger and malnutrition, and provides technical support for the sustainable development of their agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors.

The activities of the FAO Country Offices include design and implementation of country-tailored field programmes, liaison with local donor representatives, and active public awareness-raising and outreach activities related to FAO initiatives such as the World Food Day.

Reporting Lines

The Communications Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Malawi, and direct supervision of the Head of technical Unit within FAO Malawi

Technical Focus

The Specialist will provide internal and external communication support in line with FAO Malawi communication strategy and technical guidance from FAO Office of Communication (OCC).

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Develop, maintain and update the country office communication strategy and associated work plan.
•    Develop, maintain and update media relations contact list/database.
•    Collaborate with mass media through activities such as organizing project site visits, facilitating photo coverage and video/TV footage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate.
•    Draft easy-to-read articles, human interest stories, brochures, factsheets and leaflets addressing country office, project and donor visibility and communication needs.
•    Establish or maintain an up-to-date repository for communication materials including publications press releases and clippings, photographs, audio-visual material and web resources.
•    Maintain media relations by developing and continually updating contact list of journalists and media outlets covering all media (print, TV, radio, web).
•    Provide visibility support to FAO Malawi flagship initiatives such as One Country One Product (OCOP), Digital Villages Initiative (DVI) and Hand in Hand Initiative (HiHI).
•    Support the Head of Section in planning and executing strategic meetings, conferences and workshops by, among other things, drafting talking points and meeting notes.
•    Work with M&E to publicize key results and achievements using multimedia platforms.
•    Keep track of all incoming partnership requests, review them and ensure that all replies are provided timely in consultation with the Section Head and the FAO Representative, where need be.
•    Work with Operations and Finance to plan and monitor the use of communication budgetary resources.
•    Provide any other communications support as may be requested by Management from time to time.

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

FAOSTYLE (English: 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;
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).
Photos should follow the FAO Photo Library Production Guidelines:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/pu6vckocxhlc7fc/FAO_Guidelines_for_Photo_Production_202206.pdf?dl=0
For videos intended for social media, liaise with OCCI to clear the scripts prior to editing.

The social media videos should follow the branding guidelines outlined here: https://www.fao.org/3/cb5044en/cb5044en.pdf
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

•    Advance university degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Communication or related studies.
•    Minimum of three years of relevant experience in strategic planning, communication, public relations or partnership building.
•    Demonstrated understanding of agricultural systems, policies, frameworks and strategies in Malawi.
•    Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint essential).
•    National of Malawi or a resident in the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Experience in media management (web page and social networks, digital marketing) and dissemination campaigns.
•    Proven ability to write documents and elaborate communication products.
•    Desirable experience working in development organizations and in communication, development and/or knowledge management.
•    Experience in collaborative work and results-based management.
•    Experience in field work and participation in multidisciplinary teams.
•    Ability to work under the operating procedures of international organizations.
•    Ability for interpersonal relations, inter-sectoral and inter-institutional coordination.
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to analyze, systematize and write high-quality technical reports.
•    Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
•    Willingness to travel.

REQUIRED EDUCATION: Bachelor Degree

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 60