Communications Officer

WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance

BACKGROUND
WFP is the largest agency delivering humanitarian cash. Over the last decade, cash-based transfers have become an increasing share of the World Food Programme’s portfolio. In contexts where markets and financial sector are functioning, WFP delivers cash-based transfers to:

• Empower vulnerable people with choice to meet their essential needs in their local markets,
• Boost these markets, and
• Help governments strengthen national social protection systems and establish their own G2P payment platforms.

Through its new Assurance Framework - rolled out to Country Offices in late 2020, WFP is able to provide assurance to donors and governments that the right people are receiving the right value of cash at the right time.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The CBT division in Rome is looking for an experienced strategic and digital communications professional to lead WFP’s internal and external communications efforts with the objective of positioning the organization as a trustworthy partner of choice to governments, donors and beneficiaries. The main objectives of this assignment are to:

• ‘Socialize’ the importance of existing guidance in formats that are useful to country office management so that they can better integrate cash within strategic portfolios.  A key part of this is to make the field aware of the CBT services portfolio offered by HQ to support COs to deliver well.
• Ensure corporate communications produced by other functional areas are aligned with the CBT corporate strategic direction.
• Drive visibility through increased social media presence and advocacy efforts.
• Contribute to the global discourse on digital financial inclusion.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Cash Communications Coordinator will report to the Deputy  Global Coordinator of Cash transfers and will be responsible for defining and implementing effective external and internal communications strategy and plans for cash-based transfers, case-study management and “socialization” working closely with management and cross functional staff, including but not limited to communications officers in HQ, RBs and COs to ensure activities support corporate objectives. Specific responsibilities include:

1. Develop a corporate cash-based transfers internal and external communications strategy in order to maintain and enhance the visibility for and reputation of WFP in CBT, support fundraising activities, and drive policy advocacy, ensuring alignment with WFP corporate strategy.
2. Develop key messages and sound bites that promulgate WFP’s corporate cash strategy and position the CBT division as an influencer internally and externally.
3. Define a social media plan for cash which leverages staff expertise and social media content, platforms, and networks to amplify critical topics, and contribute positively to global debates related to cash.
4. Continuously scan the horizon for the most important communications opportunities and ensure effective interventions.
5. Identify relevant decision makers and influencers, and work with Communications and Programme Officers to develop a cash communications workplan and content calendar to support the high-level themes WFP aims to reinforce, with specific campaigns, activities and messages tailored by audience.
6. Increase understanding of cash-based transfers and fast-evolving sector trends across the organization. Plan and deliver internal communications so employees understand and embrace WFP’s cash strategy.
7. Build effective collaborations and partnerships internally and externally to align activities and ensure a coherent approach to communications.
8. Provide advice and support to HQ, RB and CO staff on cash communications, ensuring compliance with wider WFP and communications strategy and taking into account the specific context and audience.
9. Ensure effective design and delivery of communications products that convey well the desired message to targeted audience(s).
10. Integrate internal and external CBT communications with CBT Operational Information Management.
11. Work with the Media Team to ensure cash-related work is adequately represented in news/information about WFP’s work distributed to the media, and related reputational risks are identified and managed.
12. Define performance indicators, and coordinate accurate and timely reporting, contributing to a WFP wide view of communications activities that enables informed decision-making, evaluation of objectives and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
13. Lead capacity building of WFP staff on cash-related communications and provide advice to senior management in order to ensure impactful communications.
14. Contribute to preparedness actions, providing recommendations and guidance and monitoring the management of communications specific risks.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT

• Fully fledged internal and external 5-year cash communications strategy (2022 – 2026) including a social media strategy and a 2-year rolling work plan.
• A set of metrics to monitor the implementation and success of the strategy.
• Consistently exceptional posts on WFP’s public and internal platforms.
• Strong working relationship with the Communications, Advocacy and Marketing Division in HQ, and with Communications Officers in key country offices.
• Relevant and up-to-date core cash communications materials: media messages, talking points, speeches, presentations, infographics, web posts, press releases, fact sheets, guidance, advocacy material, as needed.
• A set of case-studies profiling best practices.
• Policies, strategies and guidance socialized.
• Any other tasks, documents, and briefing material requested by the Deputy of Cash Transfers.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education: Advanced University degree in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications, Marketing or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.

Experience: A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in specialised, issues-based strategic, technical, digital and integrated communications, advocacy, and marketing practices and knowledge of the external context in which these apply.  Has managed teams of staff in the delivery of communications projects. Has provided expert guidance in leading projects and substantial input into function practices and policies. Experience in design management. Field experience and knowledge of WFP's assistance programmes, especially cash-based.
 

Skills and Knowledge:

• Ability to provide advice on communications issues; and to analyse and interpret material of a complex nature.
• General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures governing administration.
• Resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgement, tact, negotiating skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and in a team and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description.

Languages: 

Excellent oral and writing skills in English (proficiency/level C). Proven ability to write highly concise documents in English. An additional UN language is considered an asset: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese.

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

 Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Deadline for applications: 10 December 2020

Ref.: VA No. 131545

Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero-tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.