Communication Specialist

Organizational Setting

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

Reporting Lines

The Communication Specialist will report to the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme, and direct supervision of the Project Team Leader.

Technical Focus

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing the project “Support to Agriculture and Agribusiness Enterprises in Mindanao for Sustainable Development” with funding support from the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The project aims to contribute to the attainment of sustainable peace and development and inclusive growth in Mindanao through support to the improvement of agriculture and fisheries-based livelihoods, and accelerated agriculture-based enterprises. Various agricultural infrastructures (Animal Housing, Commodity Processing facilities, Multi-purpose drying pavement and storage facilities, etc.) are on-going and to be constructed. These agricultural infrastructures and facilities will help boost the development of the agribusiness enterprises of community-based organizations supported by the FAO project in the project sites in Maguindanao and Cotabato provinces.

The Communications Specialist will provide guidance and leadership in implementation of communication efforts to strengthen awareness of stakeholders and the general public on project activities and achievements thereby raising the profile and visibility of the project “Support to Agriculture and Agribusiness Enterprises in Mindanao for Sustainable Development”.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Design and implement communications plan in collaboration with the project team; • Write, produce and disseminate various communication materials including success press releases, press/media kits, media briefings, write ups on key project events and accomplishments, and factsheets, for a variety of local and national communication channels including print media, websites, e-news and blogs, • Organize press conferences and media interviews; develop and maintain strong relationships with media organizations and practitioners; • Assist and provide guidance in documenting project activities and events; • Prepare speeches for FAO Representative and other senior management officers representing FAO in major events such as meetings and conferences; • Provide editorial, design, and production support for all project publications including brochures, leaflets, social media postings, and reports, project markers, and other project visibility materials; • Ensure that all communications materials produced and disseminated online adhere to FAO branding guidelines;

• Liaison with the Office of Communication (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 ( 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. • Perform any other tasks as assigned by the AFAOR – Programs and Project Team Leader

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University Degree in one or more of the following: Development Communications, Social Science, and Journalism or related fields; • Working knowledge of English • Minimum of 5 years progressive experience on development communications experience or any engagement related to public information, journalism and internal relations; • National of the Philippines of resident of the country with valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Selection Criteria

• Able to be based in Cotabato City and/or conduct missions to the project sites in Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces.