Communication Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Afghanistan is investing, across all 34 provinces, in resilience reinforcing actions that focus on protecting agriculture livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash-incomes, and safeguarding critical agriculture sectoral development gains achieved over the past couple of decades through revitalizing rural markets and economy. In 2023, FAO will contribute to the humanitarian components of the UN Strategic Framework 2023-2025 through four priority actions: (i) Safeguarding Wheat Seed Security, (ii) Enhancing Local Production of Nutritious Food, (iii) Livestock Protection and Dairy Sector Support, and (iv) Restoring Irrigation Structures to Boost Cash Incomes. FAO will also contribute towards resilience building activities and longer-term transformational processes as part of the implementation of the UN Strategic Framework 2023-2025

This a National Project Personnel position – SB4.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, and the direct supervision of the Head of Communication Reporting and Outreach, and in close collaboration with the Regional Communication Team in RAP and with the Reporting and Outreach Team in the Office for Emergency and Resilience (OER) at Headquarters, as well as in consultation with FAO staff and relevant stakeholders (government, UN, NGOs, resource partners, etc.) in Afghanistan.

Technical Focus

The Communication Specialist will support the development of outreach and advocacy tools and materials, enhance media relations and social media activities in line with the FAO Representation in Afghanistan communications strategy.

Tasks and responsibilities

Communication products

• Ensure that all communication products (brochure, newsletter, banners, publications) follow the FAO style guidelines • Prepare photo and video missions in collaboration with the Digital Communication Officer: procure videography and photography services, prepare mission briefs, ensure the timely implementation of items. • Support the production and publication of photo galleries and video. • Collect information from the field to generate case studies, lesson learned reports, quarterly newsletter and social media content with Facebook being in Dari and Pashto. • Monitor social media analytics to inform content creation in collaboration with the Digital Communication Officer and Head of Communication • Participate in the development of communications strategies and plans both for the Representation as well as for specific projects as required. • Write success and feature stories, best practices to be published on the FAO in Afghanistan website. • Regularly update the FAO in Afghanistan website and the support its revamp to adapt it to Sitefinity. • Procure and distribute merchandising and visibility items according to the FAO standards. • Regularly update the Communications Unit Tracker to keep track of all communications products and media coverage, • Provide assistance with the translation of materials into Dari and Pashto • Assist the FAO Representative to coordinate media information on agricultural related events, situational analyses with line ministries, UNAMA and the UN Country Team. • Participate in the development of communications plans for campaigns or key events like The World Food Day, World Food Safety Day.

Liaison role

• Develop effective working relationships, consensus and agreements with national stakeholders • Represent FAO at the UN Communications Group, Liaise and work closely with RAP Communications Unit • Consult with CTOs of the various FAO projects at least once a month for updated information and guidance on items for wider communication • Work closely with various partners, specifically for disseminating information and reports

Media relations

• Foster and maintain media relations with key Afghan media outlets and journalist to help raise FAO’s profile and visibility • Facilitate media interviews with the FAO Representative and other FAO personnel. • Pitch stories and op-eds to relevant Afghan media. • Prepare press releases, media advisories and ensure wide distribution to national and international media in collaboration with UNAMA, RAP, OER, and OCC. • Conduct media monitoring and prepare media coverage reports on an ad hoc basis. • Update the media contact list regularly. • Support the creation of a media mailing list in Listserv. • Organize and conduct media field trips with national journalists. • In close coordination with Programme unit, identify communication priorities for inclusion in the communication strategy plan and ensure these are regularly updated as to reflect the current FAO representation priorities. • Submit a brief end of assignment report in English, summarizing the work undertaken, with the conclusions and recommendations. • Perform any other related duties or functions as assigned by the supervisor. • Duty travel to be undertaken as requested/required. • Liaise with the Office of Communication (OCC), 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; 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). 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

• Advanced (Master’s) degree or University (Bachelor’s) degree one relevant subject communication, journalism, public administration, agriculture economics, nutrition and food security, social sciences, or closely related fields; • For advanced degree at least five (5) years of professional experience in communication and knowledge management applied to agriculture research particularly in food security and nutrition and agriculture sector. • For university degree at least seven (7) years of professional experience in communication and knowledge management applied to agriculture research particularly in food security and nutrition and agriculture sector. • Working knowledge (level C) of English and the local languages (Pashto and/or Dari). • National of Afghanistan.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience and knowledge of the FAO rules and regulations and good skills of multi-stakeholders coordination, operations and management; • Knowledge and understanding of MAIL Programme and procedures. • Strong written and oral English communication skills. Pashto and Dari is an added advantage. • Ability to identify and resolve problems expeditiously and pragmatically; • Should possess tact, good initiative and sound judgment, and have the ability to establish and maintain good working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds; • Ability to use a logical and structured approach to collate, archive and synthesis information; • Understanding of FAO’s mandate.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.