Knowledge Management and Communications Specialists

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to build a world free from hunger and malnutrition where food and agriculture contribute to improving the living standards of all, especially the poorest, in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner. With 195 Members and being present in over 130 countries, FAO transforms knowledge into actions and solutions worldwide, assisting Members to realize three global aspirations: 1) eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; 2) elimination of poverty; and 3) sustainable management and utilization of natural resources.

The Office of Evaluation (OED) of FAO provides results accountability to Member and FAO’s Director-General, providing the evidence base to guide their decision-making and oversight. Evaluation also contributes to learning, by offering a basis for improvements in the Organization's programmes in terms of their relevance to countries, definition of objectives, their design and implementation. OED also participates in system-wide evaluation initiatives, thereby contributing to assessments of development effectiveness by the United Nations (UN) system.

Knowledge Management and Communications are vital areas of work to enhance internal and external utilization, visibility, impact and use of the information, knowledge, and evidence contained both within and across evaluations. To this end, OED is looking for candidates to support these efforts through various roles in both knowledge management and communications.

Reporting Lines:

The direct reporting line will be to the Coordinator for Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Planning, with the overall responsibility to the Director, OED.

Technical Focus:

The Specialists will contribute to the communication, knowledge management and learning efforts internally within OED. They will also develop materials and outputs to be used across FAO, and externally with main stakeholders and partners. We are therefore seeking several candidates to assist with flexible scheduling.

Tasks and responsibilities:

Knowledge Management/Learning focus areas:

• Identify, map and analyse existing knowledge and knowledge management systems in FAO that assist in the strategic prioritization of evaluation needs, opportunities and requirements for overall OED work planning in response to the OED strategy and priorities. • Design and oversee the development of information systems to capture knowledge and information across OED for multiple uses for variety of key stakeholders (both internal and external) • Oversee the conduct and development of synthesis learning products for targeted users and uses (regional and thematic) • Organize teams and workflows to ensure timely and efficient access to user-centred quality information resources and tools supporting decision-making • With support and guidance from OED Director and Evaluation Officers, lead the development of knowledge management systems and learning products • Oversee and provide guidance to the monitoring officer, in the development of a multi-sectoral platforms, dashboards, and information monitoring systems, to facilitate planning and monitoring across OED • Identify appropriate knowledge products to be developed for knowledge sharing as well as specific strategy to reach target audience.

Communication focus areas:

• Increase accessibility, visibility, and use of evaluation material (website, social media, etc) and Develop products and coordinate the dissemination of evaluation outputs through various communications channels (reports, briefs, videos, etc) to enhance learning and use • Develop and coordinate content and implement agreed on communication and digital tools in a user-friendly, effective and appealing way. • Maintain and enhance website mapping to current evaluation outputs and communication needs considering the evaluation stakeholders and users’ needs • Knowledge of Sitefinity for OED website maintenance and development • Develop a customized digital dashboard. • Manage and oversee OED social media channels (X, LinkedIn) • 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). o Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

Carry out other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as requested by FAO.

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in public relations, communications, social science, journalism, political science or a related field • Seven years of relevant experience in communications, knowledge management and/or outreach • For consultants working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). • For PSAs working knowledge of English.

Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in knowledge management and communications • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable • Experience working with evaluation units in multilateral organizations would be considered a plus • Extent and relevance of experience in supporting large-scale conference or meetings