National Communications Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO is the recognized leader in the fight to eradicate hunger and rural poverty and in the promotion of agriculture, fisheries and livestock while promoting sustainable management of the environment and natural resources for the benefit of communities and rural people. One of FAO's corporate goals is to increase visibility of the good work being done at country and regional level in Asia and the Pacific. While the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) has dedicated staff to help achieve this goal, dedicated
Specialists in media outreach at country-level are required to increase visibility in national vernacular media and beyond.

FAO has been working in Timor-Leste since 1999 and mainly supported the government on emergency operations and early recovery from political crises and natural disasters. Later in 2012, FAO established its representation office in the country as a response to the government’s request to focus more on enhancing food security. FAO Timor-Leste’s existing Country Programming Framework focuses on enhancing i) nutrition, food security, and sustainable agriculture, ii) economic opportunities and decent work for all, and iii) sustainable management of natural resources and resilience to climate change.

FAO Timor-Leste seeks to engage a National Communications Specialist to support the planning, development, and dissemination of communication and outreach products.

Reporting Lines

The National Communication Specialist will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative to Indonesia and Timor-Leste and the day-to-day supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Program), in close collaboration with project and country office staff.

Technical Focus

The National Communication Specialist will support designing, developing, and implementing communication and related activity for different project and programs in FAO Timor-Leste. He/she will ensure media effective presence of the FAO as a dynamic and organization that works to strengthen food security and to promote agriculture, fisheries, livestock and the sustainable management of natural resources to the benefit of communities and rural people in Timor-Leste.

Tasks and responsibilities

In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will\:
• Support the BH to draft, develop or update the communications and visibility plan and budget for specific project and FAO Timor-Leste.
• Produce communication products in line with corporate messages (briefs, leaflets, posters, brochures, presentations, etc.);
• Implement planned and ad hoc communications and visibility activities for specific projects and FAO Timor-Leste.
• Facilitate the organization of official events including, but not limited to project launches, conferences, inauguration, handover ceremonies, etc. in Dili and other municipalities
• Provide, review, and quality assurance of all projects and corporate communication and visibility materials and ensure their availability in both English and Tetun languages
• Prepare a monthly communication and visibility update and plans for the project, office and donors
• Assist in the preparation of the projects’ quarterly briefs
• Identify communication priorities, liaise with relevant parties and identify follow-up actions within the country office
• Prepare talking points, draft press releases, and liaise with media outlets to ensure coverage and visibility of projects and the country office
• Strictly adhere to and implement FAO’s Corporate Communications Policy, Publication Guidelines, and other communications and visibility-related policies and guidelines
• Maintain online communication and visibility platforms (e.g. Facebook page, twitter, website) and disseminate information according to or strictly following FAO and donor guidelines
• Build and maintain a thorough repository of project communications and visibility materials
• Oversee and coordinate FAO implementing partners’ communication and visibility actions
• Proactively formulate or develop good beneficiary feature story possibilities for multimedia platforms
• Participate and contribute to programme management meetings and plans
• Provide communications training and advice to FATOL project staff and consultants on all aspects related to communications and visibility;
• Perform any other relevant ad hoc tasks, 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

• University degree in communications, journalism, media relations OR disciplines relevant to FAO’s work
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in communication and visibility guidelines for development institutions such as FAO
• Working knowledge of English and Tetum
• Timorese National

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

• Experience in /familiarity with communication and visibility guidelines for development institutions such as FAO
• Knowledge and skills on production of communications materials, organizing media or other events, managing social media platforms
• Above-average translation skills
• Strong communications, computer, and report writing skills
• Ability to work independently
• Level, extent and relevance of proven experience in the field of communication and media relations;
• Level and relevance of academic qualifications
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written ability to work under minimal supervision

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION