Communications and Reporting Specialist at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN)

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN) - An intergovernmental organization, FAO has 194 Member Nations, two associate members and one member organization, the European Union. Its employees come from various cultural backgrounds and are experts in the multiple fields of activity FAO engages in. FAO’s staff capacity allows it to support improved governance inter alia, generate, develop and adapt existing tools and guidelines and provide targeted governance support as a resource to country and regional level FAO offices. Headquartered in Rome, Italy, FAO is present in over 130 countries.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Communications and Reporting Specialist

Ref No: 2301190
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Organizational Unit: FRNIR
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: NPP (National Project Personnel)
Duration: 6 months, with possible extension

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 help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.
• The incumbent will work in the FAO Representation in Nigeria and will be expected to support the implementation of FAO Nigeria Country Programme Framework

Reporting Lines:

• The Communications and Reporting specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) and direct supervision of the Head of the Northeast sub office.

Technical Focus

• The incumbent will deliver a range of communications and advocacy materials and ensure that donor reports are prepared and submitted in a timely manner.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Participate in the assessments to establish the baseline and food security assessments to monitor the improvement of beneficiary’s household food consumption, resilience, business development, markets enhancement, etc.
• Assist in the dissemination – at country, regional and global levels – of communication products, including publication on FAO or partner Web sites, liaising closely with outreach and web teams at FAO-HQ (both OCC and TCS Outreach Team) and making full use of web and corporate social media channels (fao.org, intranet, fao.org/emergencies, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) in line with FAO guidelines;
• Liaise with the communication team of the Regional Office for Africa (RAF) for sharing of information and guidance on communication activities.
• Support donor websites monitoring and assist in the preparation of resource mobilization materials
• Provide content and materials such as photos and videos to RAF to highlight stories on the ground.
• Develop and produce communication products to highlight donors support and including but not limited to key messages, briefs, brochures, talking points, success stories and presentations; also travel to affected areas, as necessary, to ensure collection/production of stories, interviews, photos and videos.
• Liaise closely with the Emergency Programme Coordinator and project focal points to ensure coherence and accuracy of information used in communication products;
• Assist media relations, including: drafting press releases, media-style briefs, talking points and Q&A; developing and maintaining a network of media contacts in country; and organizing press conferences/briefings and field visits;
• Support liaison with FAO HQ and FAO RAF media relations colleagues to facilitate exposure of the Joint Project’s and FAO’s work and needs in the agriculture sector, ensuring accuracy/relevance of content developed and disseminated by them;
• Participate in the OCHA Humanitarian Communications Group and other relevant fora/meetings (e.g. UN Communication Group) and work in close collaboration with OCHA Reporting and Public Information teams and UN Communication teams to ensure sectoral priorities, the needs of affected populations and FAO are well represented;
• Undertake travel to affected areas, as necessary, and ensure collection/production of stories, interviews, photos and videos;
• Compile progress information and assist the Project Coordinator in outlining monthly progress statements and quarterly and annual progress reports including activities undertaken, distributions of inputs lists of actual beneficiaries, problems encountered and recommendations relevant to FAO and government (MOA, SEMA, NEMA) requirements;
• Provide communication support for events organized by FAO and in which FAO is participating;
• Assist in undertaking assessment of the project impact on the beneficiaries through activity assessments and end-of-project assessment
• Prepare and submit the draft final report, including all project activities, impact assessment, and lessons learned, and make recommendations for follow-up assistance in the agricultural sector.
• Contribute to the preparation of programme and project documents and new proposals, briefs, evaluation reports, and correspondence for internal use and for recipient governments and donors;
• Facilitate, prepare, participate and respond to donor missions and reporting requirements
• Assist in the preparation of publication documents as required;
• Perform other related duties as required.
• Liaise with the Office of Communication (OCC) will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes.

Minimum Requirements
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

• University Degree (Bachelor's or Post graduate) in Journalism, Mass Communications, Communications for Development or relevant Social Science.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in humanitarian and agricultural/rural development sectors communication, promotion or advocacy including work experience with national and international NGO’s, UN agencies, governments and donors.
• Working knowledge of English both verbal and written.
• National of Nigeria.

FAO Core Competencies:

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

Technical/Functional Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and Team spirit
• Experience and competences in working with women and youths groups will be an advantage.
• Knowledge of UN system policies, rules, and regulations;
• Work experience within United Nations System or an international organization is an asset.
• Experience of projects involving multiple and diverse stakeholders including
• Governments, private sector, civil society and end users.
• Working knowledge of the local language in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Application Deadline  10th May, 2023.

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: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/  
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
•  Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

Note

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date