Communications Officer NOB, Johannesburg (12 Months Renewable Fixed Term Contract)

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WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to end global hunger. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no** child goes to bed hungry** and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

In emergencies, WFP gets food to where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After an emergency, WFP uses food to help communities rebuild their shattered lives. Present in nearly 80 countries, the organization has the global footprint, deep field presence and local knowledge and relationships necessary to provide access to nutritious food and contribute to the lasting solutions, especially in many of the world’s most remote and fragile areas. We manage an operating budget of approximately $5.9 billion each year, distributing 12.6 billion rations to those most in need. We reach an average of 80 million people with food assistance in around 80 countries each year. The World Food Programme office in Johannesburg is a Regional Office coordinating and supporting the delivery of humanitarian assistance to 11 Southern Africa countries including, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Malawi, Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville.

For more on WFP and what we do, please go to http://www.wfp.org/videos/zero-hunger

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

This role is found in Johannesburg Regional Bureau. The Job holder operates with minimum supervision and is heavily involved in day-to-day activities, analytical and provides advice on less complex issues. In RBJ, the job holder will report to the Regional Director or the designate, with functional supervision from the Director of Communications or the designate.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

WFP RBJ Communications, Advocacy and Marketing Unit aims to enhance public awareness and understanding of WFP’s work in the region. It aims to improve brand recognition through a variety of communication avenues to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. The Unit’s work extends to include WFP’s programme work and partnerships with donors. In this regard, the Unit’s work spreads over a spectrum of tasks which include creating creative content, media engagement, developing stories, writing and editing external documents. The candidate must have a creative eye for a story and understanding of the audience

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Support the team in developing and implementing a communications work plan in order to maintain and enhance the visibility and reputation of WFP.

2. Support creative content development for external relations, power point presentations, media releases and social media relations.

3. Draft press releases, media briefs, talking points and speeches.

4. Generate high quality written content, including op-eds and human-interest stories covering a breadth of WFP work in Southern Africa.

5. Support the team in planning, managing and evaluating communications campaigns and events that impact the views of the public, opinion leaders and donors.

6. Provide support in developing and implementing a social media plan which leverages content, platforms, networks and partners to enhance coverage and support of WFP’s activities.

7. Produce social media content.

8. Prepare communications products, including content such as text, presentations, data visualization, infographics, graphic design, photos, videos and audio for use across a range of platforms.

9. Monitor and analyze traditional and social media to inform the development and/or evaluation of communication activities and strategies.

10. Help 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.

11. Manage the unit’s knowledge management and inventory of content and communications materials

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
• Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
• Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
• Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
• Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
• Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
• Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
• Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
• Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
• Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
• Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
• Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level Media and Influencer Relationship Management Demonstrates ability to build and sustain effective collaborative relationships with key media contacts and influencers in area of expertise to raise the profile of WFP, build relationships and further organisational aims. Media and Communication Expertise Facilitates open verbal or written communication with media and influencers as required (i.e. through preparation of tailored written or visual materials presentations, and official documentation) to convey tailored messages. Engages in mutually informative discussion with media and influencers. Specialised Knowledge in Communications Uses sound theoretical knowledge of communications concepts to generate or facilitate the generation of effective communication materials across various media. Applies this to define work plans aligned to identified areas of WFP’s communications strategy. Sociopolitical Contextual Understanding Demonstrates deep understanding of the multilateral/interagency environment and the dynamics in which WFP operates which influences approach to working, policy development and decision making. Communication Strategy and Planning Applies advanced understanding of WFP communications strategy and best practice to effectively develop strategies to engage with media and other significant external stakeholders within area of responsibility. Oversees implementation, providing recommendations for improvement.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced University degree in Journalism, Marketing, Communications or other relevant field, or first university degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses

Experience:

Minimum 3 years of professional experience in Journalism or communications

Language:

National Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language

CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION

• This is a 1 Year Renewable Fixed Term Contract
• Net monthly salary range: R55 590 to R65 472
• Benefits: 30 Days Annual Leave, Pension & Medical Insurance

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Thursday, 18 February 2021, 11:59 South African Time

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This position is only open to South African Nationals

Qualified female applicants are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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.