Communication Specialist & Knowledge Management Support

Organizational Setting

The FAO, in partnership with the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga, is currently implementing a GEF 5 Project entitled, Integrated Land and Agro-ecosystem Management Systems (ILAMS) for Tonga under the Pacific regional Ridge to Reef Program (R2R). The overall ILAMS project objective is “to strengthen the resilience of communities by enhancing land tenure systems, improving forest management, and piloting an integrated agro-ecosystem approach to rehabilitate degraded landscapes” consistent with the ridge-to-reef approach.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands and FAO Representative in Tonga; the overall technical responsibility of the FAO Lead Technical Officer; the direct management of the Integrated Land and Agro-ecosystem Management System for Tonga (ILAMS R2R) Project Manager; the direct technical supervision of the ILAMS R2R Senior Technical Adviser; in close collaboration and consultations with the Assistant FAO Representative for Tonga/FAO Country Office (AFAOR), and under the guidance of subregions Comms Officer, the incumbent will ensure coherence with corporate communications policy and guidelines.

Technical Focus

The Communications Specialist and Knowledge Management (KM) Technical Support consultant will finalise the draft of, and support implementation of key activities in, the Communications Strategy, and provide support for KM activities of the ILAMS R2R project. He/she will support the Project Management Unit (PMU) on communicating and disseminating messages from the project, and on ensuring the effective participation of stakeholders in the implementation of the project . The aim is to ensure that integrated land and agro-ecosystems management approaches are advocated in the agenda of decision-makers and politicians at the national and local level in Tonga

Tasks and responsibilities

(i) Finalise the Draft Communications Strategy already developed by the project.

• Determine the principal messages to be disseminated by the Project and the key audiences for each message;
• Determine the optimal media for conveying the messages to the targeted audience;
• Design a system for monitoring the effectiveness of the project’s communications.

(ii) Implement the Communications Strategy.

• Design, develop and support use of communication tools, conveying the project findings and outputs, including: websites, social media, posters, bill boards, leaflets, TV interviews, radio interviews, etc.
• Draft and disseminate media and press releases, as required.

(iii) Support the project’s Knowledge Management activities.

• Support the PMU in compiling data and information in a coordinated manner, linked to the M&E system.
• Support the PMU in disseminating and sharing knowledge and lessons to FAO and other global platforms, the regional R2R programme, national programmes and community level initiatives.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Higher degree in social sciences, media relations and communications with an emphasis on rural/community development
• At least 5 years’ experience in social aspects of rural development, with an emphasis on participatory approaches, communications and media relations;
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Tongan is required;
• National of Tonga

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated ability to develop communication tools – written, verbal, digital, etc.;
• Interact in a culturally sensitive and participatory manner with rural communities;
• Previous work in the agriculture sector is highly preferred.