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- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
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.
The Office of Communications (OCC) leads FAO’s corporate and internal communication efforts. It ensures consistency in messaging, promotes cost-effective communication strategies, and supports the Organization’s visibility and outreach goals.
This announcement aims to identify and vet qualified candidates for inclusion in a roster of communications consultants. Inclusion on the roster does not guarantee employment but allows shortlisted candidates to be considered for future assignments over the next three years.
Reporting Lines
The Advisor reports to the Directors of the Office of Communications (OCC) and works closely with OCC teams, technical divisions, regional offices, and country offices.
Technical Focus
Communication is at the heart of the Food and Agriculture Organization mission, supporting advocacy, knowledge dissemination, and stakeholder engagement at national, regional, and global levels. FAO is undergoing a strategic shift toward audience-led, data-driven communications to enhance impact and efficiency across its decentralized offices.
In this context, the Advisor – Strategic Communications will champion the shift towards strategic, audience-led and data-driven approaches aligned with FAO’s institutional goals and the four betters and with a strong focus on establishing systems, processes and capacity to deliver high-impact campaigns.
Tasks and responsibilities
The Advisor will play a central role in advancing FAO’s communications strategy and will:
· Build and put in place the systems, processes and capacity for OCC and FAO to deliver audience-led, data-driven global campaigns and international advocacy initiatives supporting institutional objectives including resource mobilization, knowledge uptake, and advocacy goals.
· Take a central role in the launch of high-profile, multi-year campaigns focused on resource mobilization, knowledge and key advocacy positions.
· Drive digital and AI transformation by deploying shared digital tools, AI-assisted workflows, content analytics, and reporting dashboards to support coordinated global campaign delivery and efficient and effective communications.
· Guide the integration of appropriate systems to enable targeted outreach, segmentation, and performance tracking for global audiences and partners. Develop audience segmentation models to strengthen targeting across FAO priorities and global stakeholder groups.
· Generate and apply audience insights, including qualitative and quantitative research, to inform campaign strategy, messaging, channel selection, and continuous optimization across global communications initiatives.
· Develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess campaign performance, user engagement, and ROI for major global communication initiatives.
· Support capacity building across FAO’s communications network, through training, tools, and best-practice guidance to strengthen campaign delivery, including across regional and country offices. Contribute to cross-organizational collaboration to ensure coherence between corporate, regional, and country-level communications around flagship global campaigns and international moments.
· Work with the OCC’s Global and Technical Coordination branch (OCCGD) to establish feedback loops with technical divisions, regions and country offices ensuring local insights and content inform global communications strategies.
FAO Standards and guidelines:
• 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
· Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in communications, marketing, public relations, international relations, or related field. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
· At least 10 years of relevant experience in multi-channel campaigns, digital transformation, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy.
· Working knowledge of English (proficiency level C).
FAO Core Competencies
· Results Focus
· Teamwork
· Communication
· Building Effective Relationships
· Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
· Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing audience-led, data-driven global communications campaigns, including multi-channel campaign architecture, audience segmentation, and performance optimization.
· Proven ability to design and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks, including KPIs, ROI measurement, and reporting dashboards for large-scale communications initiatives.
· Strong command of digital communications tools and platforms, including content management systems, social media management tools, email marketing platforms, and campaign analytics tools.
· Experience deploying AI-assisted workflows and content analytics to improve communications efficiency, content production, and audience targeting.
· Experience designing and delivering capacity-building programmes, including training, toolkits, and best-practice guidance for geographically dispersed communications networks.
Selection Criteria
· Proven expertise in data-driven communications, digital platform oversight, and capacity building.
· Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a multicultural, multilingual environment.
· Preferred experience includes: audience-led communications campaigns, data-driven impact evaluation, capacity building.
· Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
· Proactively looking for ways to improve workflows and team efficiencies, and deadline oriented.
· Self-sufficient, accountable and able to work autonomously with minimal supervision.
· Strong attention to detail, critical thinker, strong work ethic, and positive attitude while routinely exercising sound judgment.
· Awareness of ethical and sensitive issues in the context of data and communications. Ability to handle assets that contain confidential information.
· Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain processes and train colleagues.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
- Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
- For more information, visit the FAO employment website
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
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