National Communications and Knowledge Sharing Specialist (Gender)

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

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting

The Sub-Regional Office for Central Asia of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-SEC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing strategies for addressing food security, agriculture and rural development priorities in the sub-region. The Organization’s technical assistance includes institution building, development of knowledge and competencies, and exchange of experience among countries facing the challenges of transition.

Starting October 2021, FAO SEC will be implementing a three-year project entitled “Leaving no one behind: greater involvement and empowerment of rural women in Turkey and Central Asia (GCP/SEC/018/TUR)” funded by the Government of Turkey. The project aims to improve the socio-economic status of rural women by developing rural women’s entrepreneurial skills and at the same time, providing policy advice to state institutions involved in formulating and implementing agriculture and rural development policies and programmes.

Reporting Lines

The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator for Central Asia (SRC, SEC), overall technical guidance of the REU Communications Officer and guidance and technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) of the “Leaving no one behind” project. S/he will work with the Project Technical Officer (TO) and National Project Manager at SEC, and cooperate closely with the relevant national authorities and various stakeholders, as well as the FAO SEC Technical and Field Programme Units.

Technical Focus

• Communications, visibility, outreach, knowledge management
• Produce a variety of communications and knowledge sharing materials
• Promote knowledge sharing and good practices at meetings, conferences, websites
• Awareness raising on gender issues

Tasks and responsibilities

In line with FAO’s Corporate Communications Strategy and Policy, the National Communications and Knowledge Sharing Expert will perform the following tasks:

• In close consultation with the project LTO and the NPM, prepare the project communication plan;
• Continuously contribute to revising and updating of the communication plan for the ‘Leaving no one behind” project
• Under the technical guidance of FAO colleagues propose and elaborate the advocacy and visibility materials for the project in Turkish and English (e.g. press-releases, web stories, leaflets introducing the project, case studies and promising practices documented during the project, materials on raising awareness on the importance of gender equality, etc. )
• Facilitate the printing and dissemination of all information materials, knowledge products used and/or produced by the project
• Provide additional communication support, as may be necessary in the course of project implementation.
• Perform regular media monitoring and share the results with the REU Communications team.
• Liaise with the UN Country team and pitch project stories and social media for further promotion.
• Establish a solid network of media contacts and liaise with them to raise awareness about the project and its activities.
• Perform any other related duties, as needed.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant university degree in journalism, communication, public relations or related discipline
• Minimum five years of relevant experience in communications and outreach activities, or related fields
• An excellent command of English and Turkish
• National of Turkey or resident in the country with a regular residence/work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated capability to manage and coordinate implementation of communications and knowledge sharing activities
• Excellent communication skills in English, both orally and in writing, and ability to draft technical reports in English
• Working knowledge of the Russian language is an asset
• Familiarity with the UN and its programmes in the country is an asset
• Familiarity with gender/ agriculture/ rural development themes is a strong asset

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