Communication Specialist

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.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has approved the Government of India’s GEF6 Green Ag. Project titled, “Green-Ag\: Transforming Indian agriculture for global environmental benefits and the conservation of critical biodiversity and forest landscapes”.

Therefore, the project objective is to catalyse transformative change for India’s agricultural sector to support achievement of national and global environmental benefits and conserve critical biodiversity and forest landscapes. The project is organized around two components. The first component strengthens the enabling framework and institutional structures to mainstream bio-diversity (BD), sustainable land management (SLM), climate change mitigation (CCM) and sustainable forest management (SFM) policies, priorities and practices into India’s agricultural sector. The second component demonstrates replicable “Improved agricultural and conservation practices” for sustainable production, resilient livelihood advancements, habitat improvements, and delivery of tangible BD, LD, CCM, and SFM benefits.

The project works at the national, state and pilot site levels. The project’s five demonstration states are\: i) Madhya Pradesh, ii) Mizoram, iii) Odisha, iv) Rajasthan and v) Uttarakhand. Site level project effort focuses upon high conservation priority landscapes (e.g. protected areas) within each of these states.

The position will be based in New Delhi.

Reporting Lines

Under the over all supervision of the FAO Representative in India, Assistant FAO Representatives and guidance of the Project Managers and Communication Head, the communication specialist will undertake the following tasks.

Technical Focus

Expertise in development and visual communication.

Tasks and responsibilities

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

• Develop and maintain communication materials for FAO projects, ensuring brand consistency and visibility.
• Design and produce visibility materials for the GEF 6 project, including digital, print and audio-visual content.
• Support content development by drafting, editing, and reviewing reports, case studies, and policy papers.
• Train and mentor state-level communication affiliate workforce while coordinating video production and advocacy events.
• Undertake mission travel to project locations for photo and video documentation, as and when required.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing among project states and stakeholders through government portals, events, and multimedia materials.
• Manage the approval process for communication products, including logo and copyright coordination.
• Develop and promote project-specific updates on FAO India’s website and social media platforms.
• Collaborate on video production, motion graphics, and design coordination with external agencies as needed.
Social Media Tasks\:
• Collate information and develop appropriate digital assets, in line with global FAO key messages, terminology, standards and guidelines, and day-to-day management of country social media channel (https\://x.com/FAOIndia), as per the FAO social media guidelines and in support of country strategies, liaising and coordinating with the relevant technical officers, Regional Communication Officers (RCO) and OCC, as appropriate, and relevant supervisor for clearance.
• Ensure that all communication products comply with global FAO key messages, terminology, standards, and guidelines.
• Prepare a monthly social media content calendar with innovative and issue-focused content to promote the work of FAO country office.
• Undertake other tasks as assigned by FAOR and AFAORs.

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

• Master Level degree in social science, journalism, communications, public relations, design or related fields.
• At least three years of relevant experience in interdisciplinary research and in developing media and communication material, especially relevant for web publishing, information management and hypermedia applications in relevant development sector with responsibilities as described above.
• Working knowledge of English.
• National of India.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in preparing press releases, op-eds, news articles, interviews and advocacy messages for relevant media houses and outlets, including publishing, newspaper, online news, radio and television mediums.
• Excellent communication, reporting and presentation skills in English (both written and spoken).
• Experience with photography and videography; and knowledge of editing software, preferably Adobe Creative Cloud is an advantage.
• Experience and skill in managing social media accounts, will be an asset.
• Ability to work efficiently with minimal direct supervision and to coordinate and supervise the communication and information outputs of the State Project Offices.
• Ability to provide editorial support to high quality reports and publications.
• Ability to handle stress and meet deadlines.
• Experience of working with UN agencies and familiarity with UN rules and regulations is an asset.
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams is essential.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION