Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by the FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. The Operations Unit in the Representation is responsible for the overall progamme development, programme implementation, day to day coordination, monitoring, resource mobilisation and reporting.

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Reporting Lines

The incumbent will report to the Assistant FAO Representative-Programme.

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Technical Focus

Communications to assist projects implemented by FAO Botswana and the SWM Community Conservancy Project (ACT-KAZA)

Tasks and Responsibilities

Working under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Botswana (FRBOT), and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative-Programme, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

• Develop and implement country specific communication strategy by identifying stakeholders, goals, objectives and timelines and consulting with thematic and technical teams.
• Comply with the FAO corporate guidelines and strategy and work in line with guidance from the Office for Communications (OCC),the Regional Communication Officer and project coordinators at FAO Botswana.
• Develop and implement communication plans for specific activities and target key messages tailored to certain audience (including donors, beneficiaries, partners, and the public), and disseminate information efficiently and effectively.
• Coordinate, produce and disseminate communication and advocacy materials, including brochures, human-interest stories, posters and other visibility products in close coordination with focal points in RAF and in observance of corporate and branding guidelines.
• Lead the preparations for the FAO Botswana quarterly newsletter.
• Develop media database and strengthen partnerships with media organizations and journalists; interact and pitch stories of interest; organize media field visits.
• Coordinate media engagement during events and missions and collect visual and audio footages for archiving of events and missions.
• Create policy briefs and other strategic communication publications.
• Draft press releases and talking points; organize press conferences; prepare media kits; provide information to querying journalists; manage flagship FAO events (e.g., World Food Day, project launches, workshops, etc.).
• Cover high-level and high-visibility events; ensure media coverage and disseminate live information to highlight messages.
• Produce content for online and social media channels such as the FAO website, Flickr, Twitter, etc, in line with OCCI. Write and edit web posts and ensure content is interesting and visually appealing. Increase FAO Botswana’s social media engagement and feature stories that will appeal to audience.
• Work closely and train colleagues as communication champions and how to deal with the media by providing key messages and basic tips on media engagement.
• Support and assist FAO in inter-agency communication meetings (UN Communication Group) and ensure FAO representation and participation in UN events.
• Monitor communication plans and address gaps to improve effectiveness and quality.
• Coordinate production of stories from the field such as documentaries and photo essays; this includes drafting TORs for production team, writing script, conducting interviews, managing vendors, arranging logistics, etc.
• Assist the Field Assistant Coordinator and the Regional Coordinator in the implementation of the SWM CC Project Communication Strategy, including the design and production of awareness material, drafting of pre-production briefs for project videos and the design of other targeted and strategic communication to project stakeholders, in line with the communication strategy.
• Engage local, regional, national and international media as required under the SWM CC communication strategy
• Translate technical information and material in Setswana, summarize and simplify complex technical information into clear messages appropriate for the intended target audience (both in English and Setswana).
• Liaise with the project partners to assist in the development of a community-based communication plan and develop materials in line with this plan.
• Liaise with the SWM KaZa communication officer and communication focal points of other project partners to co-design and co-produce relevant material to support project and programme activities in the KAZA region.
• Liaise monthly with the SWM Communications Coordinator to update the SWM website.
• Post updates weekly on social media platforms, as well as on the internal SWM KMS.
• Attend national technical working groups, workshops and other relevant project events/field visits, as required, with the Field Assistant Coordinator and/or the Regional Coordinator, to document project updates and progress through photography and videography.
• Keep up-to-date shared folders with all project communication material (communication products, photos, footage, etc.) and share with project partners as required.
• Act as a liaison between SWM CC Coordinating Unit, project stakeholders and the media.
• Perform other duties as required by the SWM CC Coordinating Unit.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:

Minimum requirements

• University degree in journalism or communications, or equivalent work experience in the field of communication combined with a university degree in a related discipline.
• A minimum work experience of 3 years in communications or related field;
• Competency in Adobe Suite software related to photography, videography and graphic design (e.g., Premiere Pro, Light room, InDesign, Illustrator)
• Working knowledge of English and Setswana
• National of the Republic of Botswana or resident with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience working in Africa, and ideally southern Africa;
• Knowledge of food and nutrition security, and key stakeholders;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively, and to analyze and communicate technical topics and data;
• Maturity and ability to work in a team in a dynamic and changing environment.