Communications and Advocacy Specialist

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;
· provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
o assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
o position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
o 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 Isabela Province, Philippines (with field missions within the province and Cagayan Province).

Reporting Lines

The Communications and Advocacy Specialist will report to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), in collaboration with the Project Team Coordinator, Programme Management Specialist, and Community Resilience and Emergency Response Adviser.

Technical Focus

The Communications and Advocacy Specialist will provide technical in documenting, producing, and disseminating information and communication materials that highlight the project’s results, good practices, and human-interest stories. The role aims to enhance visibility of the project and strengthen coordination with partners and stakeholders.

Tasks and responsibilities

· Lead the implementation of the project's communication, visibility, advocacy, and knowledge management strategy in accordance with FAO, donor, and UN branding guidelines.
· Provide strategic communication and advocacy advice and technical support to FAO, government counterparts, implementing partners, and other stakeholders to promote project objectives, key messages, and best practices.
· Develop, write, edit, and produce communication, advocacy, and visibility materials, including news articles, human-interest stories, social media content, photo captions, brochures, posters, infographics, press releases, talking points, event briefs, policy briefs, and donor communication products.
· Develop and implement advocacy campaigns and communication initiatives to increase awareness and promote the adoption of anticipatory action and disaster preparedness approaches among target stakeholders.
· Document project milestones, field activities, trainings, and events through high-quality photography and videography, and provide guidance to implementing partners on documentation standards and visibility requirements.
· Ensure compliance with FAO privacy, consent, branding, and data protection protocols in the collection and use of photos, videos, and other communication materials.
· Coordinate with government agencies, local government units, implementing partners, UN partners, the FAO Regional Office, Headquarters, media organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen communication, advocacy, visibility, and public engagement.
· Monitor and analyze media coverage, social media engagement, and the effectiveness of communication and advocacy activities, and recommend improvements where necessary.
· Conduct field missions to collect communication materials, success stories, lessons learned, and good practices, and translate these into compelling advocacy and knowledge products.
· Maintain and regularly update an organized repository of communication and knowledge products, including photos, videos, publications, and other multimedia resources.
· Prepare communication and advocacy inputs for donor reports, project reports, and knowledge products by documenting communication results, visibility outputs, and advocacy achievements.
· Prepare and submit an end-of-assignment report summarizing key accomplishments, lessons learned, and recommendations.
· Perform other related duties as required to support the effective implementation of the project's communication, visibility, and advocacy objectives.
· Ensure that all communication materials follow appropriate review and clearance processes and comply with FAO/OCC standards, including:

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

· Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, development studies, or related fields.
· At least 5 years of relevant experience in communication, documentation, or media work, preferably within development, humanitarian, or UN projects.
· Working knowledge (level C) of English
· National of the Philippines

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

· Experience in preparing press releases, op-eds, news articles, interviews and advocacy messages for relevant media houses and outlets, including publishing, newspaper, online news, radio and television mediums.
· Experience in web content management, editing software and other desktop publishing.
· Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context and within multidisciplinary and different cultural background teams
· Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills in English and Filipino.
· Proficiency in photography, videography, and basic graphic design considered an advantage.
· Familiarity with FAO or UN communication standards and visibility guidelines is desirable.
· Willingness to travel to project sites as required.
· Working knowledge of relevant local dialects is an advantage
· Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog
· General knowledge and skills in the use of standard software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION