Communications Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. The main aim of the FAO Representation in Cambodia is to assist government 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 FAO Representation in Cambodia is developing FAO’s Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2024-2028 as well as contributing to the development of United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2024 – 2028, and providing technical assistance to the Government counterparts to develop relevant strategies and action plans. FAO Representation in Cambodia is implementing several projects and programmes under the six thematic areas, namely Food Systems; Agriculture Value Chains; One Health and Livestock Production; Fisheries; Forest, Land and Water, Data, Knowledge and Policy.

Reporting Lines

The Communications Specialist reports directly to the FAO Representative of the FAO Representation in Cambodia or his/her designated mandated representative(s). The Communications Specialist will work in close collaboration with programme and project team, and in coordination with the FAO Regional Communications Officer and the Office for Communications (OCC) at FAO Headquarters.

Technical Focus

Development and strengthening of FAO communications, visibility, web publishing, media relations, press releases and feature stories.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Ensure timely compilation, preparation, review and consolidation of progress, interim and terminal reports of country programme/projects, including the Country Annual Report, in accordance with FAO Reporting and Editorial Guidelines; • Collaborate with project/programme staff, thematic teams, implementing partners (IPs), Regional Office and Headquarters as needed to finalise report content; • Ensure quality and alignment with the organization's editorial policy and individual donor requirements; • Design and implement a communication strategy and related work plans in support of the Country Programming Framework (CPF) ensuring alignment with FAO regional and global priorities; • Lead in the preparation of priority communication materials based on the communications plan, and other communication materials as required by the country office and the projects, as aligned to the overall communications strategy; • Work with FAO Cambodia project/thematic teams to ensure a common approach in the coverage of different areas of focus, advise and provide support with sector-specific communication needs; • Contribute to the regular sharing of information on project activities, achievements and lessons learned with relevant stakeholders in Cambodia - e.g. government officials, development partners, NGOs, academic and research institutions, etc.; • Oversee and contribute to the development, design and finalization of technical policy briefs, brochures, and other communication materials; • Prepare press releases on key activities in close coordination with the FAOR and the project managers and ensure they are released to the audience on a timely manner; • Explore and organize training and capacity building activities for FAO Cambodia employee in media relations, social media and strategic communications; encourage utilization of social media channels for effective messaging; and ensure sustainability of communication initiatives; • Manage the FAO Cambodia website and Facebook page; draft project factsheets, articles, guest columns and social media messages; and monitor media coverage of FAO Cambodia activities; • Maintain contacts with key information units in the government and UN systems as well as development partners; • Arrange interviews and/or press conferences and support the FAOR in identifying relevant experts to answer media queries and participate in interviews; • Supervise the projects national reporting and communications specialists to design high impact messaging for press, TV and radio, both at national and international level, by producing short documentaries, success stories and lessons learned; • Select and propose quality photos and videos for inclusion in the FAO corporate photo database; and liaise with the FAO Regional Office (RAP) and HQ on the coverage of global events; • Establish a contact list of national and international media (journalists and broadcasters) in Cambodia; • Undertake field missions to take national/international media to project sites identified by the FAOR and Project Managers as visual and interesting stories to share with stakeholders and the world at large, capturing the value of FAO's support to the government to attain the SDGs;https://www.fao.org/3/ac339a/ac339a.pdf • Maintain contact with the Office of Corporate Communications (OCC), either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes; • 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 (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 communication, social science, journalism, political science, or a related field; • Five years of relevant experience in communication, web publishing and/or social media networks; • Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable; • Experience with high level editing, meeting rapid and constant deadlines; • Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset; • Extent and relevance of experience in the field of communication services for prominent organizations, particularly at the international level, including substantive experience in journalism; • Extent and relevance of experience in drafting high-quality written materials for a wide variety of audiences • Good analytical, presentation and training skills; • Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and deliver assignments on time; and Leading, engaging, empowering and an excellent team player.