Communications Officer

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WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis. We are committed to promoting diversity and the principle of equal employment opportunity for all our employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of religion or belief, ethnic or social background, gender, gender identity and disability.

Job Title: Communications Officer

Grade: NOB

Type of contract: Fixed Term

Duration: 12 months

Duty Station: Suva, Fiji

Vacancy Number: 828184

Date of Publication: Thursday 6 July 2023

Deadline of Application: Friday 21 July 2023

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT

The Pacific is one of the world’s most disaster-prone regions, with Pacific Island Countries ranked among the most vulnerable in the world to natural disasters due to rising sea levels and increasing severe weather patterns caused by the effects of climate change. Of the 20 states with the highest average disaster losses scaled by GDP, eight are Pacific Island countries.

Building on its engagement in the Pacific since 2015, WFP works with Pacific governments and partners to improve capacity to reduce the risk of, prepare for and respond to disasters. This is achieved through strengthening coordination mechanisms in logistics, emergency telecommunications and food security, as well as data and cash preparedness. This is done in close collaboration with national partners, including those who lead the national coordination mechanisms through training and ongoing engagement and support.

WFP is seeking a qualified individual to fulfil the role of Communications Officer to support the Pacific Multi-Country Office (MCO) in advancing its communications, advocacy and external messaging goals under its new Multi-Country Strategic Plan (MCSP) 2023-2027. While managing the day-to-day communications function of the MCO, the Communications Officer will need to strengthen – and establish where needed – Communication systems, processes, procedures and protocols. Located within the Partnerships, Reporting and Communications unit, the Communications Officer will need to work across functions, notably with the regional Clusters and mechanisms (ETC, Logistics, Food Security, and Pacific Regional Cash Working Group), Programme, OIM/Reporting, and Finance/Budget and Programming.

The Communications Officer will be under the direct supervision of the Head of Partnerships, Reporting and Communications and be responsible for the following duties.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Implement country specific communication work plans designed to maintain and enhance the visibility and reputation of WFP, as well as support fundraising activities, ensuring alignment with overall communications and WFP strategies.
2. Contribute to communications through good research, analysis of assigned area of work and timely preparation and distribution of information products to target audience(s).
3. Maintain a contact list of journalists and media outlets and support the flow of news/information about WFP’s work to the media, in order to support regular and appropriate communications.
4. Support the social media plan by developing social media content, and utilising platforms, networks and partners to enhance coverage and support of WFP’s activities.
5. Generate 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.
6. Monitor and analyse traditional and social media to inform the development and/or evaluation of communication activities and strategies.
7. Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with more complex analysis and queries.
8. Collate outreach data contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reports.
9. Support communications activities that enable informed decision making and ensure consistency of information presented to the media and other stakeholders.
10. Support capacity building of WFP staff on all aspects of communication, provides advice and guidance within area and level of expertise in order to ensure that all activities meet desired standards of consistency, quality and impact. For example, the design and review of training materials.
11. Liaise and interact with WFP staff and external counterparts to support aligned activities and a coherent approach to communications within WFP.
12. Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to support WFP to quickly respond and provide mandated services at the onset of a crisis.
13. Other as required.

EXPECTED COMMUNICATION OUTPUTS (but not limited to):

• Stories, social media posts, videos, images, infographics, photos posted to digital channels
• Social media calendar created and adhered to,
• Media messages,
• Press releases and News articles,
• Other content for media, WFP Pacific wfp.org web page on and other platforms.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

EDUCATION: Advanced University degree in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional 2 years of related work experience and/or trainings/ courses.

EXPERIENCE: 3 years or more of solid, responsible and relevant work experience in communications related fields.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

- Has gained experience in utilising specialist communications techniques to enhance functional outputs

- Has provided direction and instruction to more junior staff members within area of expertise.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS: Excellent written and verbal communications and interpersonal skills; analytical skills; and ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure as part of a team. Proficient in MS Office package, particularly in Microsoft Excel.

LANGUAGE: Fluency in spoken and written English and Fijian is required.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, interested candidates are invited to apply via (https://www.wfp.org/careers/job-openings).

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. We want to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible.

Please contact us at [email protected] to advise us of any accessibility needs you may have.

About WFP

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

WFP is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce. WFP has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority or discrimination. 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 WFP Employees are expected to demonstrate the competencies and standards of behaviour aligned with our core values and defi ned in the WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK, namely:

• Leading by example with integrity,

• Driving results and delivering on commitments,

• Fostering inclusive and collaborative teamwork,

• Applying strategic thinking,

• Building and maintaining sustainable partnerships.