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National Communications Specialist

Dhaka

  • Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  • Location: Dhaka
  • Grade: All levels - NPP - National Project Personnel - Local Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Communication and Public Information
    • FABGD
  • Closing Date: Closed

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

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

Qualified female applicants are encouraged to apply.

People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.


Organizational Setting

FAO Bangladesh assists the Government to formulate policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and utilize environmental and natural resources in a sustainable way. It contributes to the development of FAO’s field programme projects in the country and implements them in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) seeks a Communications Specialist to support the Dhaka Food Systems project (DFS). DFS project seeks to meet the challenge of feeding one of the world’s fastest growing megacities, Dhaka. It works with young people, the private sector, local governments, the national government, and civil society organizations. The DFS project adopts a dynamic and multi-stakeholder approach to sustainability in order to improve access to nutritious food for all of Dhaka’s population, including the poor.

This requires an effective communications campaign that can motivate young people to act, influence public opinion, raise public awareness, provide information to critical audiences, and build momentum and support towards an inclusive food policy that meets the needs of Dhaka’s present and future.

FAO seeks an enthusiastic, experienced, and creative Communications Specialist with a range of communications skills who can take the lead for DFS communications. He/she will need to devise and implement a communication plan for the project which will help to maximize the project’s visibility, outreach, and advocacy with varied audiences ranging from high-level government officials, poor residents in Dhaka (who may be illiterate), and international organizations. They will need to be able to use a range of communications methods effectively (written documents, video, photography, and social media).

Reporting Lines

The National Communications Specialist is SC 8 position under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in the Bangladesh, works in close collaboration with the other team members and communications unit in FAO Bangladesh, under direct supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser of Dhaka Food Systems. The incumbent will also work in regular consultation and coordination with the Regional Communication Officer and FAO’s Office of Communications (OCC).

Technical Focus

The National Communications Specialist will work as part of a multidisciplinary team on a day to-day with the overall aim of ensuring a continuous engagement of the various project stakeholders and partners through-out the project period.

Tasks and responsibilities :

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) for the Dhaka Food systems project, and under the guidance of the International Communications Specialist, and the Regional Communication Officer, the National Communications Specialist will:

  • Develop, maintain and update a communication strategy and workplan, in line with programme priorities and the corporate communications strategy for the Dhaka Food System project.
  • Research and produce communications materials (in both high-quality English and Bangla) including news releases, human interest stories, newsletter content, brochures, opinion articles, talking points, donor reports, and social media content for the Dhaka Food System project, FAO in Emergencies projects, and other FAO Bangladesh projects as required.
  • Develop and articulate key messages for external communication and advocacy purposes.
  • Edit texts of a technical nature in order to ensure accuracy, clarity, cohesion and conformity with FAO house-style English, policy and practice.
  • Develop and coordinate production of engaging and informative multimedia products (video and radio) in line with guidelines from the Office of Corporate Communication (OCC).
  • Oversee graphic design solutions including publication templates, visual presentations, pamphlets, info-graphics, icons, and other publication materials that illustrate information and make it legible to different audiences.
  • Take high quality photos and commission professional photography according to OCC production guidelines and advance collaboration with OCCM Photo Editor
  • In close collaboration with OCC, support and promote the World Food Day campaign and other observances campaigns including international years, days and UN Decades, on the national level by adapting communication material in Bangla when possible and disseminating them among partners.
  • In close collaboration with OCC, regional and national communications officer, create content for sharing via existing FAO social media channels that raises visibility with key target audiences.
  • Cultivate relations with the media, organise and facilitate media coverage for events, guide media engagement for technical experts. Support the DFS CTA to monitor and evaluate the impact of communication materials and advocacy events/campaigns to target audiences.
  • Set up, organize, and maintain an archive of images and video content.
  • Organize and archive key project documents.
  • Prepare, edit, and submit key project documents for publishing approval.
  • Liaise with the procurement team to initiate and oversee procurement of printed and other communications materials.
  • Lead project communications for World Food Day and other campaigns.
  • Represent FAO at the country UN Communications Group and ensure that FAO’s priorities are reflected.
  • Ensure visibility of projects and FAO Bangladesh in project partners’ materials and publications, and provide guidance on the correct use of the FAO logo, in line with corporate guidelines;
  • Organise procurement of communications products.
  • Perform other duties as required.

The incumbent shall familiarize him/herself with, and ensure mandatory coherence of, FAO’s corporate communication policy and operational guidelines for all communication and information outputs.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

  • University degree in journalism, communication, public relations or related discipline
  • A minimum of five years of experience in media relations and communications in the Bangladesh office of an international organization, non-governmental organization or industry or, alternatively, media in Bangladesh is required
  • Strong speaking and writing ability in English and Bangla
  • Bangladesh Nationals

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

  • Excellent writing and editing ability in English and Bangla.
  • Excellent people skills – ability to work with a wide range of people from different backgrounds.
  • Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Ability to explain complex information in a clear and concise way.
  • Adapt writing style to different audiences.
  • Able to come up with creative communication ideas and solutions.
  • Strong sense of visual presentation – the candidate needs to be able to present information so that it is clear and visually appealing.
  • Graphic design skills with experience using graphic design programs including Adobe Creative Suite (In-Design, Illustrator, Photoshop).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: Careers@fao.org
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
  • Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications
  • For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
This vacancy is now closed.