Communications Officer (CST I)

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency dedicated to fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works globally to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing one of the largest hunger crises in the world. Hunger and conflict exacerbate each other, with armed conflict and widespread displacement prevailing for the past 25 years. Multiple other crises further compound DRC’s humanitarian challenges. North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri are the provinces where war and unrest have been most protracted. Three out of every four internally displaced people live with host families, many of whom were already struggling before taking in strangers in need. The number of acutely food-insecure people stands at 27 million, making access to food a daily struggle for a significant part of the Congolese population. An estimated 3.4 million children are acutely malnourished.

Under its Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2021-2025, the World Food Programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo aims to provide:

• Unconditional food-resource transfers to crisis-affected and food-insecure populations.
• Nutrition prevention activities against moderate acute malnutrition among children under age 2 and pregnant and lactating women.
• Nutrition treatment activities for children under age 5 and pregnant and lactating women suffering from moderate acute malnutrition.
• A school feeding program for children at school. Nutrition prevention activities against stunting.
• Support for smallholder farmers and asset creation and livelihood interventions.

JOB PURPOSE:

To implement the communications plan by supporting and delivering a range of communications activities, providing research and analysis, and prioritising effectively. The job holder will operate with minimal supervision and will be heavily involved in day–to-day activities, analytical work, and provide advice on less complex issues. He/she will report to the Head of Unit or to a more senior Communications Officer.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (Not all-inclusive, not exhaustive):

• Implement country-specific communication work plans designed to maintain and enhance the visibility and reputation of WFP, as well as support fundraising activities, ensuring alignment with overall communications and WFP strategies.
• Contribute to communications through good research, analysis of assigned areas of work and timely preparation and distribution of information products to target audience(s).
• Maintain a contact list of journalists and media outlets and support the flow of news/information about WFP’s work to the media, to support regular and appropriate communications.
• Support the social media plan by developing social media content, and utilising platforms, networks and partners to enhance coverage and support of WFP’s activities.
• Generate donor specific visibility content including text, photos, videos and audio for use across a range of integrated online platforms, in order to support global and country fund-raising activities, ensuring consistency with corporate messages.
• Monitor and analyse traditional and social media to inform the development and/or evaluation of communication activities and strategies.
• Coordinate timely, clear, and culturally appropriate information across channels to support program adaptation and humanitarian access through community engagement.
• Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with more complex analysis and queries.
• Collate outreach data contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reports.
• Support communications activities that enable informed decision making and ensures consistency of information presented to the media and other stakeholders.
• Support capacity building of WFP staff on all aspects of communication, including community-centered communication practices, provides advice and guidance within areas and level of expertise, to ensure that all activities meet desired standards of consistency, quality and impact. For example, the design and review of training materials.
• Liaise and interact with WFP staff and external counterparts to support aligned activities and a coherent approach to communications within WFP.
• Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to support WFP to quickly respond and deploy food and needed resources to affected areas at the onset of a crisis. Other as required.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Has gained experience in utilizing specialist communications techniques to enhance functional outputs
• Extensive experience in leading on communications with communities issues in conflict settings
• Has provided direction and instruction to more junior staff members within area of expertise

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

EDUCATION: Advanced University degree in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

EXPERIENCE: At least three (3) years of postgraduate professional experience in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications or relative business stream or First University degree with additional years of related work experience.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Ability to use sound theoretical knowledge of communications concepts to generate or facilitate the generation of effective communication materials across various media.
• Ability to apply advanced understanding of WFP communications strategy and best practice to effectively develop strategies to engage with media and other significant external stakeholders within area of responsibility.
• Demonstrates ability to build and sustain effective collaborative relationships with key media contacts and influencers in area of expertise to raise the profile of WFP, build relationships and further organisational aims.

LANGUAGE: Fluency (Level C) in French and English.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.