Communications Specialist

Organizational Setting

The mandate of FAO in Jamaica, Belize and Bahamas is to support national efforts to promote food security and sustainable development. In doing so, FAO works closely with the Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Education. Recently, FAO has begun to expand its partnership to include other ministries to reflect its focus on food security and nutrition. Its beneficiaries have also been expanded to include urban and peri-urban populations.

Reporting Lines

Under the direct supervision and overall guidance of the FAO Representative for Jamaica, Bahamas and Belize, the FAO Regional Communications Officer of RLC and the Coordinator of the Latin America and the Caribbean Communications Network, the Communications Consultant will undertake the following:

Tasks and responsibilities

• Increase awareness and raise the visibility of FAO in the media, thereby positioning the Organization to be recognized as the key United Nations agency to lead the fight against hunger and malnutrition in Jamaica, Bahamas and Belize, thereby contributing to FAO´s position as a dynamic and renewed organization. • Position FAO as a central actor in national public opinion, developing a close relationship with the media, through its editors, journalists and columnists, among others, so FAO country activities and projects have national -and as far as possible- regional and global visibility. • To promote the organization’s mandate and areas of work guided by the FAO in Latin America and the Caribbean’s three Regional Initiatives, FAO’s global Strategic Framework for 2022-2023, within the framework of FAO´s Corporate Communications Strategy and the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean’s (RLC) Regional Communications Strategy. • To foster greater information and knowledge exchange with key stakeholders, development partners, NGOs and Civil Society in the agriculture sector.

Manage strategic communications

• Design and implement a national communication plan for Jamaica, Bahamas and Belize in line with the respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) and both the Regional Communication Strategy and FAO´s Corporate Communication Strategy supported by input from project LTOs/ AFAORs. • Participate in workshops, meetings, trainings scheduled and conducted by the Jamaica, the Bahamas and Belize Office and prepare a communication products on same, as appropriate • Provide the Caribbean Sub-regional Office (SLC) with weekly reports on FAO’s appearances in the media for inclusion in the RLC FAO in the Media Report • Participate in bi-monthly communications meetings and share updates on work being carried out • Ensure regular communication and updates with the National Correspondents of the Bahamas and Belize to organize, promote and support activities and events in each country • Support the Senior Officers’ Media Initiative (SOMI) • Reinforce the internal communication of the Representation, including conducting or organising communications related training for staff, as relevant • Serve as focal point for FAO publications being prepared in Jamaica, Bahamas and Belize, in close collaboration with the Officer responsible for publications in the RLC Office. • Serve as a member of the FAO Communications Network for LAC

Ensure FAO’s presence in the media and increase its digital content

• Prepare at least one human interest story per year from the Representation and for publishing on FAO HQ website • Prepare communication material such as press releases and social media posts on FAO’s work in all three countries to disseminate in the media and social media platforms • Co-manage the FAO Caribbean Twitter account and develop and solicit content from country offices, regional offices, HQ, LTOs and other partners as necessary to update several times a day the posts in the account. • Adapt to the national context and disseminate press releases originated in Headquarters and the Sub- and Regional Offices. • Manage the website of the Jamaica, Bahamas and Belize Representation by updating with all relevant information products and the press releases generated by the Representation and/or submitted by SLC or RLC, in close collaboration with the person in charge of digital channels and social networks in the RLC Office. • Manage/ co-manage the FAO Caribbean webpage by posting articles and press releases from other offices in the Caribbean • Support the presence of Jamaica, Bahamas and Belize on other FAO social media accounts such as Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, TikTok and Soundcloud

Manage information dissemination and publications and FAO products

• Develop and publish a quarterly or biannual newsletter covering important news, activities and updates from the representation • Revise, edit texts and/or documents to be published by the Representation using relevant FAO guidelines • Create visual products and design graphic products as needed for the representation using FAO guidelines • Disseminate results of programs, projects and activities undertaken by the Representation to relevant partners as requested • Create and/or update the Representation database including press contacts, international institutions and organizations interested in receiving information from FAO. • Support public communications activities of the Representation through the drafting of talking points, speeches, press releases, OP-EDs, interviews, events, photos and other communication products. • Organize interviews and aid in the preparation of presentations, and FAO advocacy documents.

Disseminate statements, FAO flagships and reports from Headquarters, the Sub-regional or Regional Offices through the local network of media contacts, institutions and organizations.

• Disseminate in relevant media outlets Op-Eds and press releases prepared by Headquarters and the Regional Office. • Support the procurement of paraphernalia and public education and outreach materials to support FAO’s work on the ground in each country

Coordinate and support events and activities regarding commemorative days, important events and other outreach efforts

• Provide support to coverage of local and regional events, workshops, etc. organized by the Representation, HQ, SLC or RLC in relation to the Caribbean and specifically Jamaica, the Bahamas and Belize • Support communications campaigns and activities in Jamaica, the Bahamas and Belize such as World Food Day (WFD) and World Soil Day (WSD) • Plan exhibitions and assist in the preparation and set up of the booth and displays for the FAO booth at major events, such as the Denbigh Agricultural Show in Jamaica. • Provide support to trade shows, agricultural shows etc. where FAO is a partner • Liaise with the Government and partners to organise events and other activities

General support to FAO’s work and the work of UN Jamaica

• Strengthen FAO relations with government counterparts, donors, NGOs and CSOs, media and other United Nations agencies • Serve as member of the UN Communications Groups for Jamaica and the Bahamas (joint) and for Belize and support joint national activities of the groups.

Any other required activity in order to fulfill the objectives as requested by the Representative, Regional Office or Headquarters.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, marketing, public relations, public information or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. • 5 years or more experience in writing articles, press releases, opinion pieces, talking points / speeches is highly desirable. • Working knowledge of English. • Nationality of Jamaica or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical Focus

• Good documentation, record keeping and report-writing skills

Selection Criteria

• Experience in planning and implementing campaigns/strategies, including involving digital communications is required. • Prior demonstrated relevant experience in strategic communication, digital content creation and information dissemination • Previous work with an international organization or UN organization preferred