National Communication Assistant

Organizational Setting

The main aim of FAO Country Office, headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments 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. FAO Kyrgyzstan assists the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to develop policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO participates in the development and implementation of field projects in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development. This requires the integration within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at increasing production and productivity, addressing climate change, and managing natural resources; and enhance rural livelihoods.

In this context, the FAO is implementing in collaboration with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the GCF- funded project “Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investment in Forests and Rangelands (CS-FOR)” (GCP/KYR/020/GCF). Project activities are aligned to the immediate needs, as well as longer term development challenges associated with Agenda 2030 and beyond. The project objective is to increase carbon sequestration through supporting climate investments in forests and rangelands and through reducing drivers of degradation and emissions via institutional support, participatory ecosystem-based sustainable management of natural resources and green growth investments. This assignment will contribute to project objective, such as to contribute to the development of a low carbon-emission and climate-resilient economy, while capitalizing important co-benefits from adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

Reporting Lines

The National Communication Assistant provides support to the project under the general supervision of the FAO Representative for Kyrgyzstan and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative, in close collaboration with the technical supervision of LTO and operational leadership of the National Project Coordinator and close cooperation with the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), technical guidance by the REU Communications Officer and in collaboration with the REU communications team and National Communication Specialist (FEKYR), the National Communication Assistant will undertake the following duties in accordance with FAO standard practices and guidelines:

Technical Focus

Communication, project operational and administrative support.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop a communications work plan for an initial one-year period. • Assist in the development and implementation of a communication plan for the CS-FOR project in accordance with current projects’ activities. • Coordinate and improve communication work of the office with project partners (ARIS, Forest Service MoA KR, RKDF), media partners, the private sector, CSOs, donors, etc. • Organize regular awareness-raising campaigns to reach both women and men, including vulnerable groups (such as female-headed households, low-income families, unemployed) and ensure media coverage of CS-FOR project activities. • Coordinate, produce, establish and disseminate gender-sensitive CS-FOR project and FAO communication products including collection and analysis of gender-disaggregated data (brochures, booklets, project bulletins, reports, posters, newsletters, presentations, human interest stories and other visibility products in observance of corporate and branding guidelines of GCF, FAO. • Assist in the procurement process of media company services and organizing Press-Tours and study tours to pilot districts. • Assist in the development and posting on social media for CS-FOR project; • Monitor statistics for CS-FOR project’s social media channels. • Support with the creation of gender-responsive content, such as short articles, interviews, infographics, etc. • Support with the creation of content for social media, such as graphic cards, posts, slideshows etc. • Rewrite and edit written outputs, such as feature articles, press releases etc. • Proofread articles and other communication materials. • Support production of audio-visual materials, such as video interviews, podcasts etc. • Assist with the organization and coverage of events with no less than 30% participation of women. • Assist in interactions with the media, with a view to maximizing visibility, enhancing reputation, and forestalling negative media reaction to any CS-FOR project activity; • Participate in the planning and coordination of outreach events and social cohesion activities using digital communication tools and in close cooperation with local media. • Assist in the monitoring and analysing of current events, public opinion and press, identify issues and trends, and inform management on possible action/responses using digital communications and other communication tools. • Assist in the creation and promotion of digital content, different formats and/or platforms (e.g. infographic, videos, etc.), including the proposing of topics, undertaking research, writing drafts, obtaining clearances, editing copy, and coordinating design approval, translation procedures and distribution. • Liaise closely with FAO National Communications Specialist (FEKYR) to feed regional/national initiatives into corporate communications initiatives and vice versa. • Regularly update a media database and partnerships with media organizations and journalists contacts. • Perform general office tasks, administrative and other support to the wider team, as needed. • Liaise with the REU Comms and the Office of Communication (OCC), 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).

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• A University degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Political Science or a related field is required. • At least five years of progressively responsible experience in providing support to the formulation and implementation of internal and external communications and advocacy strategies and related plans. • Working knowledge of English, Russian and Kyrgyz is required. • National or Resident of the Kyrgyz Republic.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/ Functional skills

• Excellent communication and inter-personnel skills. • Proven leadership skills, demonstrated ability to promote new approaches and new practices. • Knowledge on the UN system is an asset. • Ability to create, edit and present information in clear formats, using appropriate IT functionality. • Knowledge of social media and communication strategies and methods. • Good event-planning skills. • Ability to identify relevant events and stories and communicate them to a mass audiences. • Good multimedia skills. • Advanced use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.). • Experience with social-media and website content is an asset. • Experience in handling of web-based management systems. • Photography and video shooting and editing skills desirable. • Experience in the use of social media and digital communication. • Relevant experience in media relations for United Nations or NGOs. • Knowledge of agriculture and rural development would be an advantage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.