Communication and Advocacy Consultant, Centre d'Excellence, Abidjan

Communication and Advocacy Officer

Regional Centre of Excellence against Hunger and Malnutrition (CERFAM)

1. ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide 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.

2. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

On the 5th October 2018, WFP and the Government of Côte d´Ivoire signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a partnership framework to establish a Regional Centre of Excellence against Hunger and Malnutrition (CERFAM) in Abidjan, Côte d´Ivoire.

CERFAM will contribute to strengthening the capacities of governments in West and Central Africa to accelerate results towards SDG2, through partnerships, south-south cooperation, technical assistance, advocacy and research. CERFAM is a knowledge exchange hub that aims at identifying, documenting and promoting best practice and innovative solutions to achieve Zero Hunger, as well as reinforcing national capacities to meet food security and nutrition demands in the region and beyond.

The Communication and Advocacy Officer will play a major role in this endeavour.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the guidance of the Regional Centre’s Director, the main responsibilities of the Communication and Advocacy Officer are to:

1. Develop and implement a communication and advocacy strategy that positions the Regional Centre of Excellence as a strategic partner for solutions to end hunger and malnutrition
2. Build awareness of the Regional Centre of Excellence to internal and external stakeholders;
3. Engage stakeholders and contribute to influence policy
4. Coordinate, commission and/or draft reports, publications and knowledge management products pertaining to the Regional Centre of Excellence
5. Manage media relations, digital content platforms and social media

KEY TASKS

IV.1 Advocacy and Communication

• Undertake a stakeholder analysis to guide advocacy and communication plans, strategies and approaches of the Centre;
• Lead the design and implementation of a communication and advocacy strategy that analyses the situation, identifies advocacy issues, set goals and objectives; analyze policy and power, identify targets and influencers, develop an action plan, resourcing and implementation of the plan; Design and implement a communication plan to generate greater awareness, understanding and support for hunger and malnutrition solutions and the work of the Regional Centre in south-south cooperation, partnership and capacity strengthening;
• Advise management about opportunities for the Regional Centre’s thought leadership on food security and nutrition with tactics and messaging to impact appropriate audiences;
• Advise and coordinate external communication (including the review of all content) to engage with public, educational institutions, non-governmental agencies, government partners, UN partners, and donors;

IV.2 Reputation Management and Media Relations

• Lead on managing reputational risk issues – leveraging WFP Regional and Headquarters competencies as needed;
• Ensure that responses to direct or indirect requests for information about the work of the Regional Centre provide understanding of its objectives, policies and activities;
• Manage relations with the media – draft, edit texts for news releases, feature articles, briefing notes, backgrounders, Questions & Answers (Q&A), arrange interviews; and provide content;

• Establish and maintain list of media representatives contact and handle media inquiries;
• Handle media teams during visits by delegations and arrange media events

IV. 3 Content Production and Digital

• Support the Regional Centre generate and/or facilitate the production of compelling content including, text, photos, videos and audio for use across a range of integrated online platforms and media, to support advocacy, brand building, as well as illustrate and demonstrate impact of the Regional Centre’s work for fund-raising activities;
• Ensure the Regional Centre’s webpage and online profile is updated regularly and is further developed incorporating the use of social media.
• Support outsourcing companies on the preparation of a wide range of multi-media products, including audio and visual materials, and handle the growing demands of the Regional Centre’s website for such products;
• Respond to the Regional Centre’s demand for content generation by accompanying the implementation of the Regional Centre’s implementation plan/strategies and preparing information for internal and external use

IV.4 Reporting

• Contribute to the production and dissemination of knowledge management products to stakeholders;
• Coordinate all reporting activities (review, edit, prepare reports) with the technical area leads of the Regional Centre and assist in the preparation, writing and editing of all other reports required by Headquarters;
• Monitor and review regular sources of information and data required for preparation of reports and support on the establishment of a database of contacts and implementation results of the Regional Centre;
• With assigned team, contribute to ensure that standard procedures and templates are followed to drive the quality, consistency and standardization of information management and reporting
• Perform other related duties as required.

5. IMPACT AND RESULTS

• By exchanging with, and communicating alongside academia, researchers, governmental services and policy influencers, the Regional Centre is established as an authority on innovative solutions and shared best practices to end hunger and malnutrition;
• Evidence base on successful practices is disseminated to appropriate audience and the Regional Centre is recognised, quoted and referenced;
• Specific partners and stakeholders are familiar with, understand, support, participate and are willing to contribute (fund) to the mission, purpose and activities of the Regional Centre;
• Impact of the Regional Centre in contributing to achieve SDG 2 is illustrated and donors understand that the centre is effective and efficient and maximises the value of their investment.

6. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED