Communication and Advocacy Expert

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The European Union (EU) has established the Cambodia Programme for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Fisheries Sector (CAPFISH). The overall objective of the CAPFISH Programme is to support the Royal Government of Cambodia in the achievement of its long-term vision of social and economic development, food security and poverty reduction as initiated with the Deep Fisheries Reforms and laid down in the National Strategic Development Plan. The Programme is structured in two components: one on aquaculture (i.e. CAPFISH-Aquaculture, adopted in 2016, EUR 30 million) and one on capture fisheries (i.e. CAPFISH-Capture Fisheries, adopted in 2019, EUR 92.7 million).

The stated objective of the capture fisheries component of the CAPFISH-Capture Fisheries Programme is for Cambodia to have sustainable capture fisheries, contributing to food security and poverty reduction. The CAPFISH-Capture Fisheries Programme comprises three interrelated pillars: 1. fisheries management and conservation; 2. post-harvest and trade; and 3. improvement and diversification of fisheries communities' livelihoods. The CAPFISH-Capture Fisheries Programme functions through direct Budgetary Support to the Royal Government of Cambodia Fisheries Administration (FiA) and by Complementary Support provided through the FAO (fisheries management and conservation pillar), UNIDO (post-harvest and trade pillar) and NGOs and Civil Society Organisations (improvement and diversification of fisheries communities' livelihoods pillar).

This Complementary Support project (FAO-CAPFISH-Capture Fisheries) supports the fisheries conservation and management pillar within the CAPFISH-Capture Fisheries Programme. The specific outcome that the project will work to achieve within its timeframe and resources is improved capacity to strengthen fisheries management at the community, district/provincial, and national levels.

Reporting Lines

The Communication and Advocacy Expert reports directly to the Chief Technical Advisor (Team Leader), under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Cambodia. He/she will work in coordination with the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and the Technical Assistance Team (TAT), and in close collaboration with the FAO Representation in Cambodia (FACMB) relevant units.

Technical Focus

The Communication and Advocacy Expert will be responsible for the implementation of the Communication and Visibility strategy of the project. In regular consultation and coordination with the National Communication Officer, FACMB, and, if necessary, the Regional Communication Officer, FAORAP, the Communication and Advocacy Expert shall ensure coherence with FAO’s corporate communication policy and operational guidelines as well as with EU requirements for all communication and information outputs.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Communication and Advocacy Expert will:

• Lead the implementation of the project’s overall communication and visibility strategy;
• Oversee and maintain close, regular and timely coordination between FAO, FiA and EU;
• Engage with technical leads for the 3 components of the CAPFISH-Capture Fisheries Programme to develop ways to implement joint information campaigns;
• Provide expert advice to internal and external partners on strategic communication, written communication, and best practices;
• Develop capacity building initiatives to raise the level of efficiency of FiA, FiAC and project’s provincial communication focal points;
• Work with the project staff responsible for the various project outputs to communicate to fishery stakeholders and the general Cambodian public information about the project and its accomplishments;
• Work with the relevant staff of the project and FiA to produce communication materials and ensure those materials are distributed to communities, target beneficiaries, government authorities, and other stakeholders so that they are aware and understand the project, its major results and lessons learned;
• Work with the project’s CTA to identify subjects and project results that are appropriate for advocacy work, and follow through appropriately as directed by the project’s CTA;
• Be responsible for updating project information and results on FAOKH website and contributing to the FAO main website;
• Work with the relevant staff of the project and FiA to identify and publicize good practices and lessons learned in relation to project activities;
• Participate in the Technical Working groups (TWGFi) and support FiA in the facilitation of workshops and meetings as required;
• Work closely with the project gender mainstreaming team to assist FiA and relevant stakeholders to promote gender equality and raise awareness on indigenous people and youth and child labour issues;
• Support project and FiA monitoring and evaluation activities including the establishment of baselines, progress reporting and work planning in relation to Communication;
• Ensure the project’s knowledge products are preserved, especially those that are not time-sensitive. Arrangements will be made with FiA, the main target agency of this project, and with the FAO Representation in Cambodia to identify mechanisms for knowledge storage.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in communication, journalism, social or political science, or a related discipline
• 10 years of relevant experience in communication, public information or journalism, media relations, international relations with emphasis in communication strategy and partnership development;
• Working knowledge of English and Khmer
• National of Cambodia

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of communication services for prominent organizations, particularly at the international level
• Extent and relevance of experience in drafting high-quality written materials for a wide variety of audiences
• Extent and relevance of experience in multimedia production is considered a strong asset
• Understanding of FAO and EU policies and programmes is considered a strong asset
• Proficiency in the use of publishing software and other relevant computer applications is considered a strong asset