National Consultant - Media and Communication Specialist

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 main aim of the country offices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) that are headed by a FAO Representative, is to assist the Government to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. One of the key issues identified in discussions with the Govt of Nepal counterparts is the need to enhance communication and visibility activities/efforts for the FAO country program in Nepal, including the identification of needs and opportunities for mainstreaming Communication for development (ComDev) components in support of the FAO Country Programme Framework (CPF) for Nepal and specific projects. To this end, under the overall supervision of the FAO Representation Office in Nepal, and in close collaboration with FAO HQ, FAO RAP, government and donor counterparts, national/international partners and stakeholders, the incumbent will assume the tasks as mentioned in the TOR.

Reporting Lines

The Media and Communication Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative in Nepal.

Technical Focus

Provide needful media and communication expertise to carry out tasks as envisioned in the Terms of Reference (TOR).

Tasks and responsibilities

The Media and Communication Specialist will be responsible to carry out the following tasks:

• Develop and implement a communications and visibility plan and strategy for the FAO Country Programme in Nepal
• In line with OCCI Guidelines (e.g. audiovisual, social media, logo) prepare communication materials for various digital and traditional media such as radio, television, social media, newspapers for FAO/UN projects, programme and events (training, workshops, conferences, stakeholder consultations) and other public awareness raising activities
• Support the identification and preparation of stories (success stories, project results and human-interest stories) for the media and for public dissemination
• In close collaboration with OCCI, develop content and maintain/update the FAO country office website, social media accounts (Twitter, corporate YouTube Nepal playlist), and newsletter
• Develop and maintain close and regular contact with the Regional Communications Office at RAP to familiarize him/herself with FAO’s corporate communications policies and operational guidelines to ensure mandatory coherence of all communication and information outputs.
• Ensure the timely and appropriate generation, dissemination and sharing of information to various stakeholders including development partners on FAO projects and programme implementation, ensuring effective stakeholders’ participation and support, and support planning of events
• Develop and maintain a database and relationships with media networks, and manage media association activities and organize excursions to field demonstration locations, and other pertinent visits to project sites
• Assist in the design of ComDev strategies and plans to support selected FAO projects in Nepal as required
• Identify needs and opportunities for the use of rural communication services in relation to the decentralization process and FAO priorities and support the establishment of a ComDev network
• Build communication for development capacities in national institutions, producer and indigenous people’s organizations and partners
• Support capacity building activities to enhance communication capacities of farmer organizations and rural institutions in the context of the national policies and programmes, including the role of indigenous women in agriculture
• Represent FAO in the UN Communications Group (UNCG) and contribute to Delivering as One (DaO)/UN communication activities as required
• Liaise with the Asia Pacific chapter of the World Association of Community Media Broadcasters (AMARC – Asia Pacific) to promote the use of community media, rural radio and ICTs for agricultural and rural development, and
• Perform any other duties as needed.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal or resident in the country with a regular work permit
• At Minimum, a Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or any other relevant area. A Master’s degree would be an advantage
• A minimum five years of experience in working with communication activities in support of field projects and the production of multimedia materials
• An excellent command of English and Nepali languages is required, as are proven writing and reporting skills, the ability to operate under pressure and good interpersonal skills.
• Good computer skills

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

The expert shall have competency and demonstrated, practical media and communication experience on issues related to food security, agricultural/rural development, climate change adaptation and mitigation

Selection Criteria

• Extent of relevant technical experience in the areas related.
• Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
• High degree of team ethic, well-organized, result focused and dynamic personality.
• Previous experience of working with UN agencies is an asset.

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