Director of Communications, Advocacy and Marketing, D2

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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading international organization saving lives and changing lives. Fully committed to supporting countries in their efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, WFP’s vision focuses on eradicating hunger and malnutrition (Sustainable Development Goal 2); and strengthening and revitalizing partnerships (Sustainable Development Goal 17). This will be achieved by ensuring that people are better able to meet their urgent food and nutrition needs, have better nutrition, health and education outcomes and enjoy improved and sustainable livelihoods.

The operating landscape – shaped by renewed commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, United Nations reform, United Nations Security Council resolution 2417 and the Agenda for Humanity – positions WFP and its partners to turn the tide against hunger. WFP is 100% voluntarily funded and works closely with governments, the private sector, UN organizations, NGOs and the general public to deliver on its mission.
 

THE ROLE AND PURPOSE

WFP seeks a Director of its Communications, Advocacy and Marketing division (CAM), to be based at WFP Headquarters in Rome, Italy. 

As the Director of CAM, you will report to the Assistant Executive Director of the Partnerships and Advocacy Department. You will be charged with the strategic leadership and overall direction to CAM officers working in HQ, Global Offices positioned in donor capitals, WFP’s six regional bureaux and more than eighty country offices. The Director of CAM works closely with peers leading various partnerships divisions, ensuring close alignment with and support for resource mobilization efforts as well as engagement with sister UN organizations and key NGO partners. 

In setting the strategic direction, the Director of CAM will:
-    position the organization as a partner-of-choice with the general public, private sector, donor governments and government partners in the countries where WFP operates;
-    strengthen WFP’s position as a leader in responding to global emergencies in complex environments; and
-    build WFP’s profile in the areas of resilience, social protection, climate change and other key thematic areas.

The Director of CAM also serves as a principal advisor to senior management on a wide range of communications, advocacy and marketing topics including brand-building and reputational risk management. 
 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

•    Formulate, manage and implement global communications, advocacy and marketing strategic and operational planning to support WFP’s new Strategic Plan;  
•    Support the Executive Director and Leadership Group in setting WFP’s corporate communications agenda, underpinned by strategic political analysis;
•    Develop clarity and focus on WFP’s messaging, image and branding to strategically position the organization amongst key stakeholders and audiences; 
•    Drive excellence in digital communications, aligning closely with WFP’s efforts to raise funds through individual giving from the general public;
•    Effectively guide the management of issues impacting WFP’s reputation, including providing leadership in crisis situations; 
•    Build broad internal communications strategies that are aligned with corporate priorities and ensure effective engagement with employees on critical topics;
•    Provide effective leadership to the CAM division to ensure the continued development and coaching of a cohesive and high performing team;
•    Promote and ensure strategic relationships and effective engagement between CAM and key external stakeholders;
•    Create business value and continually seek to improve satisfaction levels for internal stakeholders;
•    Financial resources management ensuring an optimal budget and cost management strategy.
 

QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY REQUIREMENTS

•    Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, international relations or a relevant field, or first university degree with additional years of related work experience or trainings/courses;

•    Proven track record of at least 15 years (of which at least 6 international) of senior-level experience and leadership deploying a broad range of communications, advocacy and marketing strategies and translating message across a variety of mediums to target various audiences;
•    Ability to strengthen WFP’s positioning among stakeholders and the general public to increase brand awareness and engagement;
•    A strong public speaker and writer, able to articulate complex problems while generating support among target audiences;
•    Strong interest in WFP’s mission.

Language:
•    Fluency (level C) in English;
•    Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (a WFP working language).

COMPETENCIES

•    Ability to provide leadership to a large, multicultural workforce with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
•    Outstanding interpersonal skills to effectively work with colleagues across the organization at different levels. Proven ability to develop and empower staff;
•    Outstanding strategic planning skills and ability to guide development of policies, as well as to direct change processes at the senior management level;
•    Capacity in building strong partnerships and fostering collaborations in a demanding working environment; 
•    Demonstrated business acumen, and ability to stay abreast of industry and organizational trends;
•    Demonstrated political awareness and sound judgment in resolving issues and managing reputational risk;
•    Ability to identify the key issues in a complex situation and make decisions on the basis of facts and analysis;
•    Excellent communication and representation skills. Strong networking and strategic partnership-building capability.
 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. More details at https://icsc.un.org/
 

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

30 January 2022

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All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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.