Communications Specialist (Climate Change)

Organizational Setting

The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) works to ensure that countries and stakeholders respond to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. OCB provides a cross-organizational coordination role on these issues and is the focal point to major multilateral environmental agreements, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Office also assists FAO Members in their responses towards the interlinked challenges of food security, climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation including through facilitating access to climate and environmental financing such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). In addition, OCB hosts the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme, the Secretariats of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, as well as FAO’s work on environmental safeguards and leads the Programme Priority Areas on Climate Change (PPA BE1) and Bioeconomy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture (PPA BE2).

The position is located under the Climate Change team in OCB, which provides policy advice and technical support to FAO Members on climate change including in the areas of mitigation, adaptation, transparency and loss and damage. The team is also leading the development of knowledge products and tools (i.e. NEXT, ABC-Map) and is supporting coordination and technical linkages with international climate processes and bodies, including the UNFCCC, IPCC, and related constituted bodies and workstreams, ensuring alignment of programme activities with global climate policy and scientific frameworks.

Reporting Lines

The Communications Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the Climate Change Team Leader and the direct supervision of a designated Officer within the team, as appropriate. When activities are carried out in countries, the consultant will be required to work in close collaboration with the relevant FAO Representation and Regional or Country Office.

Technical Focus

Planning, design and implementation of external communications for projects and activities related to climate change and agriculture, including adaptation, mitigation, transparency, climate finance, and loss and damage, in support of the implementation of the FAO Climate Change Strategy and its Action Plan.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Communications Specialist will support the planning, delivery and monitoring of communication activities across the Climate Change team in OCB. Working in close collaboration with the OCB communications focal point, external partners, and relevant FAO divisions and country offices, the incumbent will:
•     Act as the focal point for the communications activities of the Climate Change team, ensuring coherence and alignment with FAO corporate communication standards and the FAO Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan;
•     Develop and implement a communication strategy for the Climate Change team, covering its workstreams (adaptation, mitigation, transparency and finance), including objectives, target audiences, channels and key messages;
•     Lead the internal and external communications activities for specific initiatives and projects, ensuring consistent messaging and visibility of results. 
•     Research, draft and edit stories of change,  impact stories and human-interest features based on project results and work at field level, including through interviews and inputs from country offices;
•     Coordinate the team's communications around international events, meetings and negotiation processes (e.g. UNFCCC sessions, COPs), including the preparation of related materials and messaging;
•     Develop key messages and coordinate the production and drafting of knowledge and communication products (brochures, fact sheets, speaking points, press releases, social media content, web articles, and audiovisual materials);
•     Develop social media content for review and dissemination across relevant FAO channels;Directly manage or oversee communications consultants, designers and other external service providers, ensuring timely delivery and quality of outputs;
•     Maintain relevant websites and web pages, keeping content current, and regularly review, report on and act upon web and social media analytics to improve reach and engagement;
•     Work with members of the Climate Change team, OCB communications focal points and colleagues across OCB on communications planning, key messaging, promotion of publications, webinars, events and related outreach activities;
•     Liaise with  external service providers and relevant FAO clearance focal points to ensure all communication materials are cleared and comply with FAO corporate and branding standards;
•     Ensure compliance with donor visibility and communication requirements across relevant projects and programmes;Monitor, evaluate and report on the results of communication activities against agreed indicators, and provide periodic progress reports to the Climate Change Team Leader and supervising Officer;
•     Perform any other related duties as required.

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

•     Consultants should hold an advanced University degree in Journalism, Communications or close related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. A first level degree with 2 years of additional experience may be considered as equivalent.
•     (ii) PSA Subscribers should have an University degree in Journalism, Communications or close related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO
•     A minimum of one year (Category C), five years (Category B) or ten years (Category A) of relevant professional experience in communications for development, particularly in the agriculture and climate sector, is required.
•     Working knowledge (proficiency level C) of English is required.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

•     Experience in developing communication and outreach campaigns and establishing partnerships and networks for improved communications.
•     Strong media outreach skills and digital communication skills, including handling media inquiries, and managing social media campaigns.
•     Excellent analytical and conceptual skills, as well as gender-sensitive and cross-cultural competency. 
•     Ability to operate effectively as part of a team, contributing positively to team operations and working relationships. 
•     Work experience at field/project level, with the United Nations, non-governmental organizations or similar.
•     Demonstrated ability in media outreach and the identification of appropriate media outlets and channels. 
•     Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to gather information from different sources and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
•     Knowledge of FAO tools and activities on climate change is considered an asset. 
•     Knowledge of additional UN official languages, particularly Spanish and French, is considered an asset.