Communication and Knowledge Management Specialist

IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

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FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and nationality

People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

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The Research and Extension Unit (AGDR) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department (AG) focuses on facilitating the transformation of agricultural innovation systems of FAO member countries through targeted policy, capacity development, knowledge sharing and rural advisory services interventions. It supports member countries to achieve food security, economic development and suitable natural resources management by unlocking the potential of agricultural innovation. The Unit manages the online platforms such as technologies and practices for small agricultural producers (TECA - www.fao.org/teca/en) and TAPipedia (www.tapipedia.org) as part of its knowledge management and outreach activities\:

• TECA (Technologies and practices for small agricultural producers) is a free online knowledge-sharing platform to improve access to proven technologies and practices for smallholder farmers.

• TAPipedia, developed within the context of the Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP), is an information sharing system designed to enhance knowledge exchange in support of Capacity Development (CD) for Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS).

AGDR is also in charge of the FAO component of the Small Farms, Small Food Businesses and Sustainable Food Security (SALSA) research project (e.g. Work Package 7). SALSA aims to provide a better understanding of the current and potential contribution of small farms and food businesses to sustainable food and nutrition security (FNS) in 25 regions of Europe and five in Africa. FAO’s main role is to coordinate the Communications and Joint Learning of the project (known as Work package 7 of the project).

Reporting Lines

The Communication and Knowledge Management Specialist will work under the overall responsibility of the Head of the Research and Extension Unit (AGDR), in close collaboration with AGDR staff, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department’s Communication Coordinator and Office of Corporate Communication (OCC).

The incumbent will contribute to AGDR’s communication and knowledge sharing activities in the framework of AGDR’s contributions to FAO’s Strategic Programmes.

Tasks and responsibilities\:

The Consultant will contribute to the enhancement of internal and external communications and knowledge sharing activities of the Unit. The Consultant will be required to liaise with the relevant Units in FAO headquarters as well as with the Regional and Country Offices, and in particular collaborate with the Information Technology Division (CIO), Office of Corporate Communication (OCC) and Partnerships Division (PSP) to ensure optimal synergies with FAO’s communication activities. The activities to raise awareness of AGDR’s work will be carried out in close collaboration with OCC and include\:

• Contribute to the development, implementation and management of a communication plan for the Unit, including key activities to be undertaken, timelines and the expected results, and taking into particular account its work on Strengthening Agricultural Innovation Systems, Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AES) and its integration into the FAO’s Strategic Framework.

• Improve and update AGDR Website, including developing new sections, ensuring compliance with corporate guidelines, develop and publish news releases, web stories, and media advisories for dissemination of activities carried out by the Unit;

• Provide support to the preparation and coordination of key events and meetings organized by AGDR (e.g. conferences, presentations, training events, visits of officials, field visits, etc.).

• Develop a variety of communication materials and provide content quality revision of the various flagship projects (e.g. project briefs, brochures, success stories, slide shows and printed banners);

• Provide support to communication activities of global and field projects in which the Unit is involved (e.g. managing social media presence, writing news and Op-eds and participating in production of multimedia products).

• Liaise with the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department’s (AG) Communication Coordinator, Office of Corporate Communications (OCC) to ensure that AGDR’s activities and results are well communicated through departmental website and any other potential communication materials that will be useful to AGDR.

• Liaise and work closely with FAO Country Offices to identify, document and publicize relevant AGDR achievements and stories to enhance visibility.

• Provide assistance to update TECA, TAPipedia and other knowledge platforms managed by Research and Extension Unit (AGDR).

• Assist and advise staff on effective communication activities for visibility and outreach of AGDR’s activities and results.

• Prepare periodic alert messages, newsletters and news stories to publicize AGDR’s work.

• Assist conduct of webinars, online discussion forums and other outreach activities of the unit and prepare related communication products.

• Establish a mechanism to ensure due diligence, recognition and acknowledgements of donors’ contributions in line with their requirements and FAO communication policy.

• Perform other related duties as required.

  CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
  Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in (for Consultants) – (MA) in Communication, Public Relations, Journalism, International Relations or equivalent professional experience / University degree (only for PSA)

• Four years of relevant experience in communication and/or Web publishing and Web content management, and/or knowledge sharing activities at national or international level

• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian. The desirable combination is an excellent knowledge of English and a good knowledge of French and Spanish.

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

  Selection Criteria
• Extent to which above minimum requirements are met

• Level of understanding of vision and mission of the FAO Research and Extension Unit

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Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

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