Communications Specialist

Mission and objectives

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) leads international efforts to defeat hunger and achieve food security for all. FAO works to ensure that people have regular access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food while promoting sustainable agricultural development, resilient livelihoods, and the sustainable management of natural resources. FAO supports countries in achieving better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. Specifically, FAO aims to: - Eradicate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition. - Promote sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and food systems. - Improve rural livelihoods and reduce poverty through inclusive economic opportunities. - Strengthen resilience of communities to disasters, climate change, and other shocks. - Support governments and partners with evidence-based policies, technical expertise, and capacity development. - Conserve and sustainably manage natural resources, biodiversity, and ecosystems. - Advance gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive development in agrifood systems. Through partnerships with governments, communities, civil society, and development partners, FAO contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Context

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. FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve food security and nutrition. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to lead active and healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. FAO Country Offices, operating under overall corporate guidance and in line with the FAO Strategic Framework, provide policy advice and technical support to countries in FAO’s mandated areas. They work through partnerships, resource mobilization and active country programmes to deliver technical assistance, strengthen national capacities and provide core services, while fully observing international standards of accountability and results-based management. The offices deliver national programmatic priorities as articulated in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has worked with Papua New Guinea since 1975 to support national priorities in food security, agriculture and sustainable development. With a dedicated FAO Country Office established in Port Moresby in 2013, FAO supports the country through Technical Cooperation Programmes, joint United Nations initiatives, regional actions and partnerships to transform agrifood systems, promote investment and trade, sustainably manage natural resources and build resilience to climate change and disasters, with a strong focus on climate-smart agriculture. FAO Papua New Guinea (FAOPG) is strengthening its communications systems to improve visibility, accountability and knowledge sharing across programmes and partners. This includes: · Managing the FAO PNG website (https://www.fao.org/papua-new-guinea/) (Sitefinity CMS, https://sfcs.fao.org/Sitefinity/dashboard) · Strengthening social media presence (primarily Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/FAOinPNG) · Establishing structured communications workflows, trackers and editorial planning · Ensuring compliance with FAO corporate communications policies (FAO Style-- https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en, branding (https://digital-media.fao.org/CS.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&VBID=2A6XUVRZ69XF&PN=1&WS=PackagePres), and OCC clearance) This assignment directly supports continuity of communications functions, including handover of systems, governance processes and capacity building of national staff.

Task Description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head of Office or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Communications Specialist will: 1. Website management (Sitefinity CMS) • Maintain and update FAO PNG website with timely, accurate content • Draft, edit, and publish web stories aligned with FAOStyle • Ensure compliance with FAO branding hierarchy and clearance processes • Coordinate inputs from programme teams and ensure completeness of content • Monitor basic web analytics and flag performance trends 2. Social media management (Facebook-first approach) • Plan and schedule content aligned with programme priorities and campaigns • Draft posts using clear, audience-friendly messaging • Ensure alignment with FAO branding and corporate tone • Coordinate with technical teams for content sourcing • Track engagement and contribute to simple performance reporting 3. Content production (results-focused storytelling) • Develop human-interest stories, features and news content • Support visibility of key initiatives (e.g. project launches, donor-funded programmes) • Ensure outputs are publication-ready and compliant with FAOStyle • Support development of captions, talking points and key messages 4. Communications governance and tracking (CORE PRIORITY) • Maintain and update a central communications tracker (with assigned owners, timelines, status) • Support implementation of clear workflows for: o Content clearance o Website publishing o social media approvals • Develop or refine: o Editorial calendar o Content pipeline (idea → draft → clearance → publication) • Flag bottlenecks, risks and gaps in content delivery 5. Knowledge management and handover systems • Support documentation of communications processes (SOPs, guidance notes) • Maintain shared repository of content assets and templates • Contribute to institutional memory (handover notes, trackers, content logs) • Ensure continuity of systems beyond the assignment 6. Capacity building and mentoring (HIGH VALUE-ADD) • Provide structured support to national staff on: o Website content management o social media practices o FAO Style and branding compliance • Promote best practices in communications planning and coordination • Encourage ownership by programme teams for content contributions 7. UNV volunteerism contribution • Promote volunteerism through FAO communications where relevant • Document volunteer experience and contributions to development outcomes Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Competencies and values

· Professionalism and accountability · Planning and organization · Corporate communication · Teamwork and collaboration · Knowledge sharing and client orientation

Living conditions and remarks

This is a remote assignment, and the selected UN Volunteer will perform duties from their approved remote work location in accordance with the host entity’s arrangements. Regular virtual engagement with the FAO Papua New Guinea team and stakeholders is expected. Papua New Guinea is a culturally diverse country with rich traditions and varied geographical landscapes. FAO’s work supports sustainable agriculture, food security, climate resilience and rural development across the country. Effective collaboration requires sensitivity to local customs, respect for cultural diversity and the ability to work with colleagues and partners from different backgrounds. Although the assignment is remote, occasional travel may be required subject to operational needs and funding availability. The successful candidate should be adaptable, self-motivated and capable of working independently while maintaining close coordination with geographically dispersed teams. Papua New Guinea offers a unique and rewarding development context, providing opportunities to contribute to meaningful and impactful programmes. Flexibility, professionalism and a collaborative approach are essential to succeed in this dynamic working environment. Papua New Guinea is a unique and culturally rich country with significant opportunities to contribute to sustainable development and food security. While this assignment is remote, successful engagement requires cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and effective collaboration with geographically dispersed teams and stakeholders. Flexibility and the ability to work independently in a dynamic international environment are essential to the success of this assignment