Communication Assistant

Organizational Setting

The 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 UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
(i)    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii)    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
(iii)    assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
(iv)    Position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation;
(v)    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are 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.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Nepal, direct supervision of Assistant FAOR (Programme), Programme Manager, overall technical supervision of Communication Specialist, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks:

Technical Focus

The incumbent will ensure the implementation of the country communication strategy. Activities and output under the strategies need coordination and coherence with the organizational/corporate communication policy and operational guidelines.

Tasks and responsibilities

In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will:

•     Collaborate with project personnel, government counterparts for handling the communication business.
•     Support in managing social media channels – from content drafting till publishing and performance analytics. 
•     Develop and produce high-quality content (text and audio-visual) for various communication channels, including press releases, social media, newsletters, and website updates.
•     Coordinate with technical teams to create informative and engaging materials such as fact sheets, brochures, and reports.
•     Assist in managing relationships with local and international media, including drafting media briefs and press releases.
•     Monitor media coverage and prepare daily press clippings.
•     Support in fa organizing press conferences, briefings, and media visits
•     Develop communication campaigns that align with FAO’s goals and objectives, along with the marking of national as well as international days.
•     Facilitate the dissemination of key messages and information to FAO staff through newsletters, internal bulletins, and intranet updates.
•     Assist in organizing internal as well as external events and workshops.
•     Provide communication support for FAO events, including drafting speeches, designing promotional materials, and managing logistics.
•     Capture and disseminate outcomes from events through various channels.
•     Monitor the impact of communication activities and report on key performance indicators (KPIs).
•     Provide recommendations for improving communication strategies and tactics based on feedback and evaluations.
•     Support in managing thematic/regional/country social media channels, primarily Facebook and X, as per the FAO social media guidelines:  https://www.fao.org/communications/policy/social-media/en/   

FAO Standards and guidelines:

•  Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes. 
•  All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including: 
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en   
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia   
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en  
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en   
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm   
FAO Names of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en      
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff). 
•  Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements 
  
•     Bachelor’s degree in mass communication, Media Technology, Journalism, Public Relations or related field
•     A minimum of 3 years of experience in communications, preferably within the food security, agriculture, and climate change 
•     Working knowledge of English and Nepali language.
•     National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

•     Excellent computer skills, including experience in working with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Publisher), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) as well as working with multi-media products.
•     Experience and equipment proficiency in video, photography, and audio.
•     Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
•     Experience in communication campaign management, content planning, designing and results analytics.
•     Strong understanding of branding guidelines and visual identity systems in institutional communications.
•     Ability to optimize digital content for cross-platform performance (web, social media, multimedia formats).
•     Good judgment and ability to organize office work and prepare correspondence on own initiative.
•     Demonstrable experience in developing and implementing effective media and communication materials in support of outreach and visibility
•     Excellent organizational skills. Proven ability to manage multiple projects with attention to detail and deadlines;
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION