Communication Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that all people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members – 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide and has started working in Vietnam since 1978 with its Representation (Country Office) opened in Hanoi.

FAO VN is launching the 4-year project ‘Smart Agro-ecological Transformation of Farming Systems towards Resilience and Sustainability in Middle and Coastal Zones of the Viet Nam Mekong Delta’ (STAR-FARM) project, with support from the EU. The project aims to create an enabling environment for the establishment of sustainable value chains in the Mekong Delta, based on agroecological approaches. FAO will take the management and coordination role in the consortium implementing the project. Besides FAO, the project consortium will involve research institutions (VAAS, IPSARD, CIRAD and IRD), under the leadership of the Government (MARD).

FAO VN is looking for a qualified Communication Specialist to be based in Hanoi to support the outreach and visibility of the organization and its STAR-FARM project.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under overall supervision of FAO Representative, direct supervision of the Technical Lead Official and the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), and the day-to-day coordination of the National Project Coordinator – STAR-FARM Project, and in close liaison with Information Resources Assistant of FAO Office in Vietnam

Technical Focus

The Communication Specialist will work closely with FAO Representative and project team to ensure that relevant communication, visibility and branding materials (such as project article and posts, newsletter, success stories, briefing notes, videos, project portfolio, etc.) are developed and disseminated to donors and target groups through relevant media and network channels, and make sure it aligned with the related strategy, guidelines and requirements of both EU donor and FAO.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop articles, posts and other communication materials (newsletter, brochure etc.,) to the expected quality standard and on regular basis to promote organization and project’s visibility, make sure they comply with both EU and FAO’s Communication guidelines and strategies; • Assist in developing project’s success stories and visual products (videos, infographics etc.,) per the approved communication and visibility plan; • Support the design of project’s presentations, periodical reports and technical reports/brief as required; • Provide assistance in the media interviews with FAOR and project team on project’s interventions and impacts and consolidate media reports; • Support the organization of project’s online and in-person events, field trips, donor missions including logistics arrangement, preparing event material, , drafting interview questions and answers, press releases, preparing media report etc., • Provide support to FAO’s VN workshops, seminars, campaigns, events when required; • In collaboration with Information resources assistant to contribute inputs to the content update for FAO Viet Nam website and social media channel; • Maintain the project photo bank and video library and make sure they are updated and accessible internally; • Participate in internal UN communication Group sessions to share the outreach and communication activities of the projects; • Other required activities in order to fulfill the visibility objectives as requested by the Representative. 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 ; 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

• University degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations or other related field; • 5 years of relevant experience in communications, public relations and working with media • Working knowledge of English and Vietnamese • National of Viet Nam or 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

• Work experience in journalism or public relation areas; • Work experience with UN system, FAO in particular is an advantage; • Knowledge of video production and social media content development; • Relevance experience in supporting organizing high-level events, conferences and webinars.

Selection Criteria

• Proven experience and networking skills with wide range of media agencies either as a journalist or specialist in public relations • Excellent command of English including proven writing and reporting skills