In Western Africa Regional Bureau in Dakar, Senegal, a Senior Regional Communications and Advocacy Officer provides leadership and strategic guidance to the Strategic Communications and Media unit.

In order to expand its over-sight function to WFP operations, WFP RBD is seeking to build a roster of consultants ready to be deployed at the regional or mainly country level when opportunities become available.

PURPOSE OF THE ROSTER

This call for the roster is published to give an opportunity to applicants to express interest in being part of this roster to undertake the key accountabilities listed below when the opportunities arise.

This vacancy announcement is not related to any current open position. However, all applications received will be reviewed and will be subject to a selection process to assess the relevant professional experience and qualifications of the candidates.

A Communication Consultant would be responsible for the Key accountabilities listed below.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Develop, maintain and update an appropriate work plan for the assigned area, which implements the corporate communications strategy, in order to maintain and enhance the visibility and reputation of WFP, and support fundraising activities, ensuring alignment with WFP strategy.

2. Plan, manage and evaluate communications campaigns that favourably impact the views of the public, opinion leaders and donors in order to raise WFP’s profile and support fundraising activities.

3. Prepare communications products that effectively convey the desired message to targeted audience(s).

4. Maintain and develop a contact list of journalists and media outlets, and manage the regular flow of news/information about WFP’s work to the media, ensuring reputational risks are identified and managed.

5. Define a social media plan for the assigned area which leverages social media content, platforms, networks and partners to enhance coverage and support of WFP’s activities.

6. Generate and/or facilitate the production of donor specific visibility content including, text, photos, videos and audio for use across a range of integrated online platforms, in order to support global and country fundraising activities, ensuring consistency with corporate messages.

7. Track and analyse traditional and online media, to identify trends and/or issues, and propose solutions and ideas to improve the effectiveness of communication strategy and activities.

8. Manage junior communications officers/team, develop work plans, monitor performance against objectives, and ensure appropriate development to enable high performance.

9. Coordinate and prepare accurate and timely reporting on communications activities that enables informed decision-making, evaluation of objectives and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.

10. Build capacity of WFP staff on all aspects of external relations communication, providing advice, guidance and training to ensure consistent, quality communications activities that deliver the desired impact.

11. Work in close collaboration with counterparts to align activities and ensure a coherent approach to communications within WFP.

12. Contribute to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance and monitoring the management of communications specific risks.

13. Other as required

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced University degree in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience:

Five (5) to ten (10) years of relevant progressively responsible professional post-graduate experience in journalism, media, communications or any other related fields.

Languages: Fluency (level C) in both written and spoken English and French.

WHY WORK WITH US?

This is an opportunity for exciting and challenging assignments in a multi-cultural and interdisciplinary team, based in a unique location, West Africa, on a topic with high relevance. In addition, we offer:

▶️Meaningful and impactful careers: – Our day-to-day work makes a difference in the lives of the people we serve

▶️Continuous learning and training: – We provide learning tools for our staff to continually develop their careers

▶️Multicultural and stimulating work environment: – We encourage gender and cultural diversity to make our teams stronger

Join us to make a difference, watch this video to know more about us!!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• All applications received will be reviewed and go through a selection process to assess relevant experience and qualifications. Based on the assessment results, successful candidates will be placed in a roster at consultant level II. Applicants who meet the selection criteria may be contacted for further interviews or assessments and to confirm their continued interest and availability for short-term opportunities ranging between 1 to 11 months.

• The roster validity is for a period of 24 months from the date on which the candidate is notified of their success.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 15 January 2025

• WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

• All employment decisions are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

• No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

• All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment.

• WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.

• WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

Special notice on office relocation: WFP and other UN Agencies will be moving to the new United Nations House, 30 kilometers from downtown Dakar. The duty station will remain in Dakar, Senegal.

Special recommendation:

Before you apply, please confirm that both (i) your on-line profile and CV are accurate and up to date, (ii) your CV should include your employment history, academic qualifications, and language skills.