Head of Communications, Advocacy and Marketing P4 - Berlin, Germany

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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 help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. 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.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading organization that saves lives in emergencies and changes the lives of millions of people around the world. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger by 2030. Every day, WFP works 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 to thrive. On average, WFP reaches more than 80 million people with food assistance in 82 countries each year.

WFP’s Global Office Germany in Berlin was established in 2004 to strengthen the partnerships with the government authorities of Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein as well as for media and public relations in the German-speaking parts of Europe.

Throughout the past years, Germany emerged to be WFP’s second largest bilateral government donor. This rapid evolvement of the partnership with Germany consequently led to new tasks, which strongly influence the daily work of the Berlin CAM team.

JOB PURPOSE

In support of WFP’s resourcing, partnerships and positioning goals, Communications, Advocacy and Marketing function strives to shape public opinion as well as influence policy makers, supporters and donors in Germany to sustain funding for humanitarian assistance as well as for longer-term development activities.

The incumbent will be responsible for driving the development and implementation of WFP`s CAM strategy to enhance visibility and position WFP as thought-leader in ending hunger in Germany through media-related activities, public mobilisation campaigns, policy-focused advocacy with key stakeholders and influencers. S/he will establish a systematic approach to identify issues of strategic importance and advocacy opportunities and partnerships for WFP, ensuring effective coordination of CAM in support of global priorities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy

• Develop and coordinate the implementation of the communication, advocacy and marketing strategies and campaigns for Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein, including setting clear goals and objectives, defining key tasks, messaging, audience targeting and analysis in order to maintain and enhance the visibility of WFP.
• Lead development and drive implementation of in-market marketing strategy to increase brand awareness, trust and attributes and maximize WFP positioning in order to set the preconditions for fundraising and expand public’s support;

Media relations:

• Act as a spokesperson for WFP in Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein, effectively addressing media enquiries, arranging interviews and press meetings and explaining information in a compelling way.
• Collaborate closely with CAM colleagues at HQ, Regional Bureaux and Country Offices for consistence in pitching and messaging plus media, advocacy and marketing campaigns to increase understanding of WFP’s work and its mission.
• Monitor negative perception and real or potential reputational risk to WFP through unfavourable media coverage or negative social media sentiment, resulting in negative donor, partner or public perception.
• Oversee a contact list of journalists and media outlets and ensure a regular flow of news/information about WFP’s work is distributed to the media, and reputational risks are identified and managed.
• Draft speeches, statements, op-eds, policy papers, press releases, reports, magazine and newspaper articles for publication.

Build brand partnerships and maximize stakeholder’s engagement;

• Build and maintain partnerships through extensive networking and proactive collaboration with the media, advocacy groups and visibility partners.
• Identify and manage brand partnerships i.e. media and visibility partners, Goodwill Ambassadors/influencers, creative agencies etc. to increase WFP's brand and lift the creative content and digital marketing capacity
• In close collaboration with the Berlin Director and Government Partnerships Team, ensure timely and accurate communication and contact to partners, donors/ministry officials, opinion formers and other appropriate audiences to build WFPs brand and advocate for political and financial support, and build new alliances
• Plan and execute targeted campaigns that favourably impact the views of the public, opinion leaders and donors in order to raise WFP’s profile and support fundraising activities.
• Define a social media plan for the assigned area which leverages social media content, platforms, networks and partners to enhance coverage and support of WFP’s activities.
• Facilitate and oversee the generating of a range of 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 fund-raising activities, ensuring consistency with corporate messages.

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Position WFP as thought leader in ending hunger;

• Position WFP as a thought leader that produces valuable evidence-based research for both the wider UN community and external partners from the private sector to think tanks to academic institutions.
• In collaboration with Global Advocacy team, build on advocacy initiatives to map out key target audiences, opportunities for influence and messages with specific recommendations.
• Collaborate closely with CAM colleagues at HQ, RBs and COs for consistence messaging and advocacy efforts to ensure understanding of and support for our goals of saving lives/changing lives and prevent and minimize reputational risks.
• Represent WFP at meetings, conferences, government, parliament and civil society to ensure the issues of concern to WFP are properly understood and appropriately covered.

Provide strategic guidance and management of CAM team in Berlin:

• Lead and manage a team of Communication Officers, develop work plans, set objectives, monitor performance, and ensure appropriate development to enable high performance.
• Provide strategic advice and ensuring integrated communication efforts across WFP’s outfits targeting German audiences e.g. ShareTheMeal and WFP Innovation Accelerator.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

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

Experience:

Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience and a proven track record as a communications and advocacy specialist, journalist, PR or spokesperson, or a combination of the above.

Language:

•Fluency on written and oral English language.

• Fluency on written and oral German language.

•Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language, Portuguese is a strong advantage.

Knowledge & Skills:

•Exceptional verbal and written communication skills;

•Expert knowledge of Germany’s media scene

•Familiarity with political and funding environment in Germany.

•Experience pitching stories to and giving interviews to media;

•Excellent analytical skills

•A track record as a strategic thinker, creative problem solver, with an ability to work very collaboratively and influence change.

•Fluency with digital platforms like Facebook and Twitter;

•Knowledge of WFP, the United Nations and the UN system is highly desirable.

•A high level of computer literacy (eg Word, Excel, databases, desktop publishing skills)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. This position is however classified as “non-rotational” which means the incumbent shall not be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified as rotational.

The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. He/she will be required to travel abroad sometime to remote and difficult locations.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. For more details please visit icsc.un.org

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

30 October, 2020

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Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries 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.