Project Communications Assistant

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.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices\:
• advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii) provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
(iii) assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
(iv) position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
(v) ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations, the academe and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, mechanization and modernization through improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in the Philippines.

Reporting Lines

The Project Communications Assistant, under the overall supervision and guidance of the FAO Representative in the Philippines, direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator of the Resilient Philippines Project (GCP/PHI/082/PAF), in close collaboration with HQ and RAP Pandemic Fund Coordinators (GCP/PHI/082/PAF), and DTRA Regional Project Coordinator (OSRO/RAS/404/USA). The Project Communications Assistant will also work under the guidance of the FAO Philippines National Communications Specialist and the FAO HQ and Regional Communications team, and in close collaboration with OCC branches and focal points.

Technical Focus

Support the implementation of Resilient Philippines Project (GCP/PHI/082/PAF) and other projects on Animal Production and Health, being implemented in the Philippines.

• One Health
• Animal Health
• Risk Communication
• Community Engagement
• Zoonotic Diseases
• Transboundary Animal Diseases

Tasks and responsibilities

• Serve as communications focal point on Resilient Philippines Project and other initiatives in Animal Production and Health, to ensure coordination between FAO and government partners and stakeholders, and efficient implementation of communications related initiatives in the Philippines;
• Develop and implement a comprehensive communication action plan or the projects in close coordination with the project team at FAO PH, RAP, and HQ;
• Provide assistance to the project team in drafting, writing and distributing reports, press releases, opinion editorials, feature articles, videos, and social media posts, on emerging infectious diseases, pandemic threats, antimicrobial resistance, transboundary animal diseases and One Health;
• Identify subjects of interest and contribute to conceptualization and development of content for communications products such as messages, success stories, media releases, advocacy and communications materials and regular newsletter updates reflecting the project outcomes;
• Facilitate production and proper dissemination of the project and FAO communications products including but not limited to audio-visual and printed materials, multimedia presentations, media releases, etc.,
• In coordination with the FAO country office communications, establish and maintain a network of contacts with communication suppliers including video/photographers, graphic designers, multimedia producers, social media specialists, etc., and media institutions to ensure the dissemination of information on the project’s regular activities and emergency response;
• Familiarize himself/herself with FAO’s corporate communication policy and operational guidelines to ensure mandatory coherence and clearance of all communication and information outputs;
• Liaise with the FAO’s Office of Communications (OCC), either through the FAO Philippines’s National Communications Specialist or the FAO ECTAD Regional Communications team, to ensure that all communications and information outputs comply with FAO’s corporate communications policies and guidelines, following appropriate review and clearance processes;
• Manage communication products/outputs produced through the Publication Workflow System (PWS) approval process including coordination of logo and copyright permissions;
• 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
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University Degree in Development Communications or related fields
• At least 3 years of experience in technical communications
• Working knowledge Level C of English
• A national of the Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Familiarity with and understanding of the work of international organizations, regional entities and national governments
• In-depth knowledge of project management and strategic planning, budgets and financial reporting
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to promote efficiency toward achieving project objectives and advanced knowledge of best business practices.
• General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION