Communications and Public Relations Officer

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).

JOB TITLE:

Communications and Public Relations Officer

TYPE OF CONTRACT:

Regular Consultant

UNIT/DIVISION:

SEO/GPC

DUTY STATION (City, Country):

Seoul, Republic of Korea

DURATION:

11 months renewable

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The WFP Global Office in Seoul (SEO) is dedicated to fostering partnerships with the Republic of Korea's (ROK) government and private sector to support WFP's field operations through resource mobilization, advocacy, and strategic communication efforts. The Communications and Public Relations Officer will play a crucial role in implementing the communications plan by supporting and delivering a range of activities aimed at raising WFP's profile and assisting resource mobilization efforts in the ROK. This position is essential for advocating WFP's mission, engaging with key stakeholders, and ensuring effective communication strategies that align with WFP's overall objectives.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive):

Donor Visibility and Partnership Communications

Lead the design and implementation of communication and visibility plans to highlight the ROK’s contributions to WFP operations, ensuring visibility commitments to government and private donors are fully met. Develop communication materials such as press release, feature stories, videos, and visibility packages to showcase the impact of ROK-funded projects globally. Coordinate with relevant WFP Country Offices, Regional Offices, and Headquarters to collect, edit, and deliver field content that demonstrates the outcomes of ROK-funded activities. Ensure brand consistency and adherence to WFP’s visual identity and donor visibility guidelines across all communications products. Collaborate with partnerships teams and donor counterparts to align messaging and maximize visibility impacts.

Public Advocacy and Outreach

Implement advocacy and public engagement plans designed to enhance WFP’s visibility and reputation in the Republic of Korea, ensuring alignment with overall communications and WFP strategies. Develop creative and audience-tailored communication products that convey WFP’s mission, impact, and values, linking global narratives with the ROK’s contribution and solidarity. Identify and manage relationships with WFP Goodwill Ambassadors and influencers for campaigns, events, and content creation to maximize outreach and public engagement. Maintain and develop a contact list of journalists and media outlets and manage the regular flow of news/information about WFP’s work to the media, ensuring reputational risks are identified and managed. Design and implement event planning and coordination (public campaigns, ceremonies, exhibitions, etc.) ensuring quality visibility, logistics, and messaging coherence.

Social Media and Digital Communications

Coordinate and deliver digital communication strategies and plans targeting Korean audiences to strengthen WFP’s brand and online presence. Curate, produce, and manage high-quality digital content – including graphics, videos, and written posts – for WFP Korea’s 6 social media channels, website, and email newsletters. Monitor online and social media trends/conversations, providing timely and relevant updates to enhance audience engagement and manage reputational risks. Track performance metrics and analyze audience insights to optimize digital engagement strategies. Plan and implement paid social media campaigns to increase reach, visibility, and engagement with target audiences.

Additional Responsibilities

Support internal communication and information sharing within the SEO team and across relevant WFP divisions. Maintain organized archives of communication materials, multimedia assets, and media coverage. Discover and communicate with vendors to design and produce visibility items. Guide and supervise junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with more complex analysis and queries. Perform other related duties as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

Online/offline activities to increase WFP’s profile in the Republic of Korea.

• Enhanced online/offline presence and engagements by 500k+ social media outreach, 30+ press releases, and major media engagements
• Implementation of 6+ major events and campaigns with partners, GWAs, and agencies
• Produced high-quality communications content and products
• Monthly updates of SEO works for external outreach
• Strategic amplification of SEO works through internal platforms
• Good visibility of ROK contributions, ensuring 100% delivery of donor requirements

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

First university degree   in Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, Journalism or other relevant fields. Advanced university degree would be desirable.

Experience:

Three to five years of experience in utilising communications techniques at professional environment

Knowledge & Skills:

Demonstrates ability to plan, 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.

Facilitates open verbal or written communication with media and influencers as required (i.e. through preparation of tailored written or visual materials presentations, and official documentation) to convey tailored messages. Engages in mutually informative discussion with media and influencers.

Uses sound theoretical knowledge of communications concepts to generate or facilitate the generation of effective communication materials across social media. Applies this to define work plans aligned to identified areas of WFP’s communications strategy.

Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and video editors preferred.

Languages:

Fluency (level C) in English language and the duty station’s language, Korean

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.